Ministry Quagmires and the Faithful Example of Aquila and Priscilla

As I study the life of Priscilla, I imagine her life as it might have been. Here are some of my wonderings. She was Italian to the core. Family gatherings were her favorite when relatives gathered over food, laughter, and music. She had dreams of being an artist like her Aunt Rose. However, one person captured her heart more than any dream – Jeshua! Priscilla had pledged to serve Jeshua all her days never dreaming the time would come to say goodbye to her homeland.

One sticky-hot morning, as Priscilla was helping with a neighbor’s fig harvest, she saw a young man she didn’t recognize. No matter, the lunch bell rang; it was time to lead her eager group in a study of the Scriptures while they hurried to eat their simple lunch. Teaching the Scriptures was her very favorite thing to do. She arrived at the shade tree in time to bow her head and join in a prayer of thanksgiving for the morning and now for lunch. 

When she raised her eyes, she saw the young man walking towards their group. “I heard you study the Scriptures during your lunch break; might I join?” the young man was soft-spoken but seemed genuine. Priscilla was speechless; a man had never asked to join this group. 

“The Scriptures are for everyone; we turn no one away,” Priscilla found her voice quickly. The young man sat down, leaning forward eagerly.

Priscilla and Aquila are married and serving their Lord together through every mention in Scripture- an eighteen year window into the life of a faithful ministry couple. Life was not easy for these two, but God chose a relatable couple to leave a legacy of faithfulness for us to follow. Overwhelming quagmires in the lives of Aquila and Priscilla show us the bulwark of God’s faithfulness. Let’s discover three examples from the Scriptures.

1. Acts 18- Quagmire of New Beginnings, Hard Work, and Changing the World one Apollos at a Time

After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Cladius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. (verses 1-4)

After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. (verse 18)

Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Prsicilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately. And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.  (verses 24-28)

New + Hard + Change equals the first phase of ministry life for Aquila and Priscilla. Can anyone else relate!? Priscilla left her beloved homeland (by command) and traveled with her husband into the great unknown of ministry and life, remaining faithful to God and experiencing His faithfulness. Her story brings me great encouragement! I now think of her each time I’m asked to say goodbye. Or exert elbow grease alongside my rural church-planting husband. Or spend time counseling others wondering if those hours will make an eternal difference…like it did with Apollos. 

The apostle Paul was greatly encouraged by this faithful couple who fed and housed him, experienced the daily work of tent-making alongside him, and who traveled with him to spread the Gospel. 

Prayer: Lord God; may my husband and I be found faithful to practice hospitality in our home, work together on the tasks of the day, and use our time, resources, and mouths to give godly counsel and spread the message of Jesus Christ. 

1. Romans 16:3-5a- Quagmire of Neck-Risking for the Gospel

Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house.

I’m generally a wimp when it comes to neck-risking. I’d prefer a neck-massage. Ministry life can ask a lot from pastoral couples, but what a blessing to have others give thanks for faithful service to the Lord on their behalf. This was a Jewish couple serving their own plus ministering cross-culturally to Gentiles. All gave thanks for them.

Prayer: Lord God; may my husband and I take risks for You as we serve whomever You send our way. Give us thankful hearts and may those we serve be thankful for the work You do through us, giving You the glory.

1. I Corinthians 16:19- Quagmire of Church-Planting, Discipleship, and Long-distance friendships

The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscillaa, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.

II Timothy 4:19- Greet Priscillaa and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

I would love to have been part of one of the church-plants that met in the home of Aquila and Priscilla! I imagine a motley group of believers, some new, some older, children, youth… worshipping together enthusiastically. Laughing. Crying. Sharing each other’s burdens. Telling their stories. Growing in Christ as they listened to the Scriptures read and expounded on different passages. Persecution. FAITHFULNESS. 

Disciples were made under the faithful service of Aquila and Priscilla. Paul writes that the church meeting in their home sent ‘hearty greetings.’ Hearty means: loudly vigorous, cheerful, exuberant, jovial. Their reputation extended far and wide. Hearty can also mean: (of food) wholesome and substantial as in a hearty meal cooked over open flames. Church party at A and P’s – worship plus fish and chips!

Prayer; Lord God, may You give my husband and I joy and vigor for every aspect of church-planting and strengthening. Empower us by the Holy Spirit to disciple others near and far. May we be found faithful to the Author and Perfecter of our faith!