Everyone is headed for an ending. One day our life will come to an end. There are only two ways out of this world. Our bodies will stop or the trumpet of the rapture will sound. Unless our departure is at the latter time people will gather to honor and remember us.
The question is, what will they say at our funeral? What ways have we touched lives? How have we changed those around us?
Today’s blog explores someone who didn’t capture headlines but touched many lives. We read about this woman and her husband in one key chapter and then mentions in other places. Her biggest contribution was the difference she made in one life. But he touched many others.
As we move further into the New Testament, we find the work of the kingdom centered around Paul. He encounters a couple, Aquilla and Priscilla. Together this couple makes a huge difference. She steps forward and shines.
Paul enters Corinth emotionally and spiritually distraught. The work has been difficult. The pressure of the Judaizers who pursued him has him feeling weak and timid. He himself speaks of his trembling. (1 Corinthians 2:3)
Paul was travelling alone. That is until he encounters Aquila and Priscilla. Six characteristics make her stand out.
She is a HOSTESS. (18:1-4)
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
We first encounter this couple as they open their home and their vocation to Paul. They afford him a place to stay as well as a trade to support his work. He stays with them for some time, refreshing and beginning to work again.
She is a faithful CO-WORKER (18:1-4)
It was expected that a Rabbi would have a career to support their work. Paul had experience as a tentmaker. They shared a common purpose. He shared a career, but also his spiritual life with them.
She is willing to take a RISK (18:8-9) Travels with Paul.
5 When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. 6 But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” 7 Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. 8 Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.9 One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent.
As Paul continued to work among them Silas and Timothy joined them in the work. They all continued to stay with Aquila and Priscilla. Paul was able to focus exclusively on the work. Don’t miss the significance of this time. Paul’s strength is restored and the ministry moved forward.
Rejected by the Jews Paul went to the home of Titius. This God-fearing worshipper becomes a believer in Christ. Many others in Corinth joined Titius in coming to faith.
God gives Paul a message of encouragement to keep going. Paul is given three promises. For ease of remembering I will use three p’s. He is promised Presence, Protection, and Potential. God will work through Paul.
From this place Paul travels to Ephesus and then by Caesarea to Antioch (See Verses 22-23). Paul continues to work travelling from place to place throughout Galatia and Phrygia. At one point the apostle leaves Priscilla. Later she rejoins them.
On one stop they encounter a young man, Apollos.
24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor[a] and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.
Apollos is a powerful figure. Luke describes him. He is:
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- Cultured. He is a Jewish man from Alexandria. This is the second largest city in Rome. It was one of the most cultured cities in the ancient world. It was also home to one of the largest Jewish populations in the world, at one time numbering more than a million people.
- Educated. Antioch was home of the great libraries of the ancient world. People learned Greek, Latin and Hebrew.
- Knew the Scriptures.
- Taught in the faith. He taught with great authority.
- Taught accurately. What Apollos knew about he taught accurately. He had the facts straight about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
- Taught passionately. He was eloquent, fervent, and powerful in speech. He could talk people into a corner.
Priscilla observed an important truth about Apollos. His knowledge was incomplete. He did not understand the Spirit’s work in baptizing believers.
He had knowledge of the baptism of John. John’s preaching demanded baptism for repentance. Jesus promised the coming Holy Spirit who would envelope believers. Apollos knew nothing about the Spirit. He could rely on his knowledge, power, and skill. He did not, however, speak with the power and filling of the Spirit.
Apollos was powerful, but he was not complete. He knew some things, but his knowledge was incomplete.
She is a DISCIPLE MAKER (18:26b)
When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
With these few words Luke talks about their ministry with him. How long did it take? What all did they teach him? The record is missing. But the mission was the same given by Jesus. They took Apollos home. They continued the work of building Apollos as a disciple.
The work of shaping others is the work of the kingdom. They filled the gap. We are called to do the same. He learned about the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
Where would the kingdom be without Priscilla and her work? Apollos was powerful, but incomplete. Thanks to her work, he is ready to continue speaking.
She is an ENCOURAGER (18:27)
27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.
She, along with the other believers encouraged the young servant. They sent word to welcome and encourage him. She understood that with regular encouragement he could become so much more.
The result changed countless lives. The Scripture summarizes his later ministry.
28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
Apollos is described as a powerful speaker. With the filling of the Holy Spirit, Apollos became a powerful teacher. He became an amazing asset in ministry. He could prove Jesus as the Messiah.
Through Priscilla’s work Apollos was able to use the Scripture to tell the story of Jesus. We are left to wonder how many people came to know Jesus through this teaching. His name is not seen further in this passage, but every person he reached was a part of her work.
Her work continues. We do not know exactly what she does, but we know from the other references that she continued to be an asset in ministry.
- She sends greetings in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 16:19-20 19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.[1]
- Later, Paul sends her greetings. 2 Timothy 4:19 19 Greet Priscilla and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.[2]
Paul gives them credit for risking their lives for him. He sends greetings as they continue to host a church in their home. Romans 16:3-5 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. 4 They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house."
What can we gain from watching Priscilla:
- Everyone needs a Priscilla in their lives. Everyone! We need someone to come along in challenging moments and help us stand. We need someone to teach us.
- The effects of our work are not always obvious. We don't see the details of how her work affected Paul or Apollos but we see some of the results. Paul is invigorated and resumes ministry. Apollos is an effective, fully developed speaker.
- Investing in others will yield results. How many people are saved as a result of Apollos' ministry? We are not given that information, but there were certainly many converted.
[1] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 1 Co 16:19.
[2] The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 2 Ti 4:19.
