The name 'Priscilla' = "ancient" was a nickname, a familiar name; 'Prisca' was her formal name. We find the name of the wife is placed before that of the husband. Hence we should be disposed to conclude that Priscilla was the more energetic character of the two. I fact we may say Priscilla is the example of what the married woman may do for the general service of the Church, in conjunction with home duties, as Phoebe [mentioned in this study also], is the type of the unmarried servant of the Church, or deaconess. (Smith's Bible Dictionary).
Aquila was her husband and co-worker in the early Church.
Paul had been Saul, but after his conversion to the teachings of Christ, his name was changed to Paul.
Structure of Priscilla's story
There are five separate references to Priscilla in the New Testament:
Acts 18:1-3. Prisca and Aquila are introduced to the reader
Acts 18: 18-26. Prisca instructs Apollos, an influential scholar
Romans 16:3. Priscilla returns to Rome
1 Corinthians 16:19. Old friends greet each other
2 Timothy 4:19. Paul says a lonely farewell as he faces death
Acts 18:1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
(Probably in the spring of 52 A.D. At this time the political capital of Greece and seat of the Roman proconsul [v.12], as Athens was the literary center. Its situation on an isthmus, with harbors on two seas, Lechaeum and Chenchreae, made it of great commercial importance, goods being transshipped and carried across the isthmus from one harbor to another, as was the case at Suez before the canal was made. Strabo says it was the chief emporium between Asia and Italy. The worship of Aphrodite [Lat.Venus], the same as Ashtoreth [Judg.2:13], was carried on here, with all the Oriental licentiousness, probably introduced by the Phœnicians [1 kings 11:33]. Attached to the temple of Venus were 1,000 courtesans. The word korinthiazomai, to act the Corinthian, was infamous in classical literature. These facts underlie and explain much in the Epistles to the Corinthians, e.g. 1 Cor.5. 6. 7. 9;27; as also the fact that the renowned Isthmian games were held in the Stadium, attached to the temple of Poseidon [Neptune], a short distance from the city. These games, as well as the temples of Athens, Corinth, and elsewhere, supplied Paul with many of the metaphors with which his writings abound.) 2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila,
(= an eagle.)
born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla;
(= ancient. [a diminutive from Prisca]. Aquila is never mentioned apart from his wife. Both these are Latin names. Their Hebrew names are not given.)
(because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:)
(Not because they were Christians. This edict was issued early in 52 A.D. in consequence either of disturbances in Rome, caused by Jews, or of Judea itself being almost in the state of rebellion.)
and came unto them.
(This is the first time that Aquila and Priscilla are mentioned, but their names will come up many times, and every time from this point on, we will see that Priscilla, the wife's name will given first. The reason for this was that Priscilla was the one that taught the Scriptures. Paul respected her as a great teacher. A teacher of God's Scripture. It was that Aquila [the Eagle] provided for Priscilla [the ancient] as she carried the ancient manuscripts, and they made quite a pair. Through this combination, the word was delivered to many.
Paul grows very fond of them, because they opened their home to him, as we will see, later in this chapter. Because of the care that these two gave to Paul, he gave Priscilla "Prisca", as Paul used in II Timothy 4:19 in his salutations. "Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.")
3 And because he was of the same craft,
(Gr. homotechnos. Only here. A word applied by physicians to one another. The medical profession was called healing art [Gr. techne].)
he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.
(Gr. shenopoios. Only here. Paul never took from the church. They wove the black cloth of goat's and camel's hair of which tents were made. Every Hebrew boy was taught some handicraft. Cp.1 Cor.4:12. 1 Thess.2:9; 4:11. 2 Thess.3:8. "Whoever does not teach his son a trade is as if he brought him up to be a robber".)
Acts 18:18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla
(Listed first. She was the teacher in the family.)
and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow.
(Gr. euche = a prayer to God; also, a vow made to God.
Paul was not in a hurry to get away, but he was on a very close schedule to be be in Jerusalem for the feast days. Notice that Priscilla and Aquila are going with Paul, and Priscilla is mentioned first.
Paul had taken the vow of an Nazarite, and while in Cenchrea Paul had his head shaven, as part of the outward expression of the vow. In the Greek text "Keiro", means to Shear, and "xurao" means to "shave". both words are mentioned in the original text in reference to this verse, and where it is also mentioned in Acts 21:24.
This vow of the Nazarite is given in Numbers 6:18; "And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offering."
Numbers 6:19 "And the priest shall take the sodden sholder of the ram, and one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them upon the hands of the Nazarite, after the hair of his separation is shaven:"
The "heave offering" or "Terumah" is so called because it was lifted up on high in presentation to Yahaveh for Himself alone. While the "Shelem" or "peace offering" conveys the idea of peace on the ground of perfection of compensation or recompense. Hence, it is connected with the thought of rendering payment of vows or praises because of peace that the one enjoys. This is a eucharistic rite rather then propitiatory [in place of].
Numbers 6:20 "And the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before the Lord: this is holy for the priest, with the wave breast and the heave sholder: and after that the Nazarite may drink wine."
The "wave offering" was an offering made to the four corners of the earth, as given in Exodus 29:27. In the Hebrew tongue it is "Asah", "to make ready the victim for sacrifice"
Numbers 6:21 "This is the law of the Nazarite who hath vowed, and of his offering unto the Lord for his separation, beside that that that his hand shall get: according to the vow which he vowed, so he must do after the law of his separation.' "
To take the vow of a Nazarite was to show the entire world that he offers his entire life as an offering to the Lord God, and he has made peace with the Father. The vow that Paul had made was that he would be at a certain place at a certain time. God told him to do this through the Spirit, and led him to take this vow.)
19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.
(Gr. Ioudaios. Has two meanings. 1) = of the blood line of Judah, 2) = a resident of Judea [this includes all who are NOT of the tribe of Judah]. To determine which value to use you must look at the context of the Subject.
The Kenites lived with the tribe of Judah and ruled as priests and scribes, even though they were not of the heritage of Judah and Israel. This is what confuses many Christians today, for they are not taught the separation of the two, the offspring of Judah, and the offspring of Cain [Kenite]. So we see that there are many different tribes and peoples that reside in Judaea, and would qualify to be called Jews, in this respect.)
20 When they desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not;
(To nod forward. A medical term. These people in Ephesus loved to hear Paul preach, however when it was time to go, Paul had to go. He didn't give them the nod. Why? He's got a vow to keep!)
21 But bade them farewell, saying, "I must by all means keep this feast
(= Pentecost, May 23rd, the very day that the church was born, and those one hundred and twenty were first filled with the Holy Spirit. Pentecost was ten days after Christ had ascended into heaven, and it is a very special time when the cloven tongue was first given. It was when those filled with the Holy Spirit spoke, and everyone that heard them speak, heard them in their own tongue, and dialect from where they lived and were born. There was no need for an interpreter, nor was there confusion, for when the Holy Spirit speaks everyone hears and understands.)
that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will." And he sailed from Ephesus.
(So Paul is sailing for Jerusalem to be there on this very special day, and he simply will not miss it. Paul wants to be there to be a witness for the Lord at that time.)
22 And when he had landed at Caesarea, and gone up,
(i.e. to Jerusalem.)
and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch.
23 And after he had spent some time there,
(Lit. having made. See 15:13. Many questions there. Probably 3 months It was from Antioch he had gone forth on his first missionary journey; it had happier associations for him than Jerusalem, where they were "all zealous of the law" [21:20].)
he departed, and went over all the country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
(Paul is backtracking the missionary journey he took, strengthening those that he had taught on the start of this journey. He is also watching his schedule at the same time. He must be in Jerusalem on Pentecost day.)
24 And a certain Jew
(See v.19.)
named Apollos,
(= eloquent, or learned. Shortened from Apollonius. The latter idea is expressed in the next phrase, He was a preacher of Scripture.)
born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
54 A.D.
25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent
(Gr. zeo, to boil. He was burning with zeal.)
in the spirit,
(Fervent in spirit means spiritually fervent, or exceedingly zealous.)
he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.
(He was close to God. Over 20 years gone by. The word of Christ's crucifixion has not reached here yet. No instant communication. It took time and was dangerous. Just like spreading the True Word of God is getting to be today.)
26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
(This man was experienced in the Scriptures, only it took Priscilla and Aquila to bring him up to date on the matters concerning Christ. It became obvious when they heard Apollos that he had not heard of Christ, so they trained him in the word. Apollos knew that the Messiah was promised in the Scriptures, and now he knows that the Messiah has come, and the Scriptures are fulfilled.)
(= bright, or pure. Her name indicates a convert from paganism [i.e. the fem. of Phœbus, otherwise Apollo. She was probably the bearer of the epistle to Rome.)
our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:
2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.
(Phebe is making the trip and carrying this letter to the Romans. In other words, a woman carried the letter from Paul and delivered it into the hand of the Romans. Paul is telling the Romans to accept her in high regards, and assist her in any way that she might need your assistance. Lets look at the word "succourer" from the Greek text; the word is "prostatis", # 4291 in the Strong's Greek dictionary. It is the feminine form of the word "patronus", "To stand over, to preside over, to practice, be over, and rule over."
Phebe was a teacher and the head of the church at Cenchrea, she practiced or taught, and ruled over that church. Today we call them preachers, and ministers. Women always have been the church builders of the church. You will find large numbers of women on the mission field, preaching and teaching the gospel of Christ. At home some of the best teachers in the church are women. Today many pastors come down hard on the women, saying they have no right to be pastors in the church, and in saying such, they totally disregard these first two verses of Romans 16. They spout off that women should be silent in church, as they quote from I Corinthians 14.
They run off to I Corinthians 14:34; "Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak: but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law."
Their entire sermon is about the grace that God offers, but when it comes to women, they like to place you back under the law. They overlook the fact of the subject being taught here in I Corinthians 14, is "confusion caused by the speaking of many different languages in the services", and the message to keep silent in the church service is directed to both the men and women, as well as the children.
When taking verse 34 out of context, you distort the entire subject given of Paul's message from I Corinthians 14:27-40. Paul was saying that when the service is being given and the word is taught, men, women and children should stop chattering in church, and talking in many different languages. Cut out the confusion and put order in your services. This applies today as well as then.
Phebe was a woman that stood before the church, and she handles those proceedings that went on in the church at Cenchrea. Paul has even put the responsibility of carrying the very doctrinal letter that all churches of all times will rely upon, in the hand of Pastor Phebe. Then Paul orders them to be good to her and assist her wherever you can.
Phebe has converted and taught many people, and she has even blessed Paul when he sat under her. Some preachers have a real fear against competing against a woman in a promoted position in the church. Whatever it is, it is part of their tradition, and not from the Word of God. Friend, when you add to the Word of God, as Paul said earlier, it cuts you off from the blessings of God. It is time to teach dignity and respect of all people, and saints, regardless of race, or gender, Gentile and Israel. Not that we are alike, but that we respect what we are under Christ. God uses whom ever He pleases, and to each He gives gifts.
So as we continue in the salutations, we will see just who was in the church.)
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
(It is normal in God's Word, that the man's name is always given first, but that is not the case here. The only time that you will find Aquila listed before Priscilla is before they came into the ministry. Then after their conversion, Priscilla is always listed first. Paul admired Priscilla's abilities to teach God's Word, and in his respect for her. Paul calls her "Prisca" in his salute of her in II Timothy 4:19. Priscilla and Aquila even had a church in their home, and Priscilla taught there.)
4 Who have for my life laid down their own necks:
(Like the jugular, out in the open, unprotected.)
unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
(This is still talking of Priscilla and Aquila, and Paul is saying that they even exposed themselves openly to death, in the protection of Paul. Friend this shows us just what kind of women were in the early church. To belong to a church could be a very dangerous thing, and the women were right out in front. The Roman government had a nasty habit of feeding Christians to the lions, beating them and taking their property.)
1 Corinthians 16:19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
(Aquilla and Priscilla were very popular with Paul, and they held church right in their home.)
2 Timothy 4:19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus
Prisca seems to have been the dominant partner in the marriage. She comes across as strong-minded, fervent in her love for God and Jesus Christ, loyal to her husband - and something of a mover and shaker.
She was trusted by Paul to manage the infant church group he left behind, and she taught the gospel as fully as Paul did. Neither of them had met Jesus of Nazareth, but their faith was strong. Without them to teach and organize, the infant church would not have blossomed as it did. If the Church had not blossomed without Paul, Paul would not have persevered with Priscilla and Aquila. They support, restore and reinvigorate him.
The route of Paul's Second Missionary Journey, on which he met Priscilla and Aquila
