Theology for Everybody: RomansSample

After Phoebe, the next people Paul mentions are a married couple named Prisca and Aquila. He says they are “my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life” (vv. 3–4).

This is a tremendous power couple. They served with Paul in the city of Corinth, and then they relocated to the city of Ephesus to serve with him.

Prisca and Aquila are one of the greatest ministry couples in the entire Bible. They do everything together. They are probably financially successful; after all, if you can afford to volunteer full-time and move city-to-city, you are probably okay wealth-wise.

As with Phoebe, Prisca and Aquila take their money and buy margin and time so they can serve and fund ministry. Wherever Paul goes, Prisca and Aquila go; whatever Paul does, they do too. Sometimes Prisca is listed first, and at other times Aquila is first. This causes some theologians to debate about which one was the leader. But Paul’s point is that they are equally strong leaders and Bible teachers, and they get an incredible amount of ministry done together.

Prisca and Aquila are an inspiration to me personally. I love doing ministry with my wife, Grace. When we first started ministry, we didn’t have children, but we eventually had five kids. Grace was so busy with the kids that we didn’t get to do a lot of ministry together. Now that our kids are older and grown, they do ministry with us. Grace and I are like Prisca and Aquila—we get to do everything together, which is really great for our relationship.

The couple who serves together stays together. If you are looking for something to bring you together with your spouse, then serve Jesus together. If you put ministry, others, and life in the Spirit at the center of your marriage, I promise you will grow closer together.

What I love about Prisca and Aquila is they raise up a man named Apollos, one of the greatest Bible teachers and preachers in the New Testament. He is one of the three main early church preachers, in addition to Peter and Paul. Apollos got saved, trained, and raised up by Prisca and Aquila in their house.

Paul says Prisca and Aquila have a church that meets in their home. When Christianity first started to spread after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers met in various places. Sometimes Christians met in synagogues, which are the Jewish equivalent of a Christian church, because Jesus was Jewish, and He fulfilled the Jewish prophecies. In addition, some believers met in Jerusalem in large areas called the Temple courts. Other times, Christians met in homes because they were persecuted. I’ve been to archeological digs in ancient cities like Corinth, Ephesus, and other places that the New Testament mentions and some of these homes were very big and could hold large gatherings. The houses were built in a rectangle with large courtyards that could accommodate hundreds of people.

Prisca and Aquila opened their home for ministry. This is one of the greatest ways to develop a healthy marriage and family. I’m glad when people come to God’s house, but I also want God to be in their houses. This ministry is called small groups or life groups in many Christian circles. These people open their homes and have people over for dinners, prayer, worship, and Bible studies. They follow in the legacy of Prisca and Aquila.

Today’s Reflection

Do you know an inspiring ministry couple like Prisca and Aquila? How can you thank them for their service?