Faithful To The End

People remember how you start and how you finish - how you come and how you go. Many couples start strong, and stay strong for a season, but fail to finish well. Young couples give much attention to their first home and early years. How much consideration have we given to the final years?

You don’t decide when you get to the end how you want to finish; you are choosing that every day. The last mention of Aquila and Priscilla in Scripture leaves a lasting lesson for us all. In the closing of Paul’s final letter to Timothy, we find this simple expression: “Salute Prisca and Aquila” (2 Timothy 4:19).

This is more than a mere formality or nicety. Nothing in the Word of God is there by accident. It would appear that this couple is now back in Ephesus, helping another young preacher in the work of God. Some have surmised that they were forced to leave Rome again because of Nero’s persecution of Christians. In every season of life, there are trials, and there are opportunities. In every trial, realize that there is an opportunity to be used by God. Don’t quit before God is finished!

In the end, perhaps the best description of Aquila and Priscilla, and the greatest thing that could be said of any believer, is that they were faithful. More than 15 years have passed since Paul first met Aquila and Priscilla, and they are still faithful to one another, faithful to Christ, and faithful to the church.

Little is known of their talents and abilities. Nothing is known of their business accomplishments or worldly goods. One thing is known of this New Testament couple - the only thing that matters - they were faithful.

• Proverbs 20:6 observes, “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?”
• 1 Corinthians 4:2 declares, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.”

This should be the prayer and passion of every godly man and woman: to be faithful to their Savior, their spouse, and their God-given assignments, faithful to the end. It is fascinating that 2,000 years later, we are still talking about the contribution this couple made to the cause of Christ. They are still being used! How would you like to be remembered?

A Stark Contrast

There is a stark contrast to Aquila and Priscilla in the book of Acts as well. In chapter five we read the tragic story of Ananias and Sapphira. This couple had every opportunity and blessing that a Christian family could have. They were members of the first church in Jerusalem!

- Ananias and Sapphira were marred by lies and deceit, while Aquila and Priscilla loved and lived the truth.

- Ananias and Sapphira“kept back part” (Acts 5:2-3). Aquila and Priscilla kept back nothing! All was given to God.

- Ananias and Sapphira “agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord” (Acts 5:9). Aquila and Priscilla had agreed together to follow the Spirit of the Lord.

The world is full of couples like Ananias and Sapphira, but the church should be full of couples like Aquila and Priscilla.

A study of the life of Ananias and Sapphira brings holy fear - the fear of sin and the fear of God (Acts 5:11). But a study of the life of Aquila and Priscilla brings gratitude. Paul said,“...unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles” (Romans 16:4). We, too, are thankful for how God has used this couple to influence our lives and marriage.

Aquila and Priscilla lived in the challenging early days of the church age. In God’s providence, we have been chosen to live near the end of the age, just before the return of Christ.“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come” (2 Timothy 3:1). This husband and wife are a continuing reminder that you can have a New Testament marriage even in perilous times.