C. H. Brown
We are introduced for the first time in Acts 18 to these people, a man called Aquila with his wife Priscilla. Paul was on his second missionary journey when he found this Jewish couple in Corinth. How did they come to be there? Because Claudius had expelled all the Jews from Rome. God can make the wrath of man to praise Him. He did that in the taxing that forced Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, and they got there at the right time. God allowed this persecution to break out which sent Aquila and Priscilla to Corinth at the right time. He had need of them there.
This couple and Paul were attracted to each other from the very start, it seemed, for they both were tentmakers. Paul was a servant of God and his journeys led him to different places. Aquila and Priscilla were on the Lord's side wherever we find them. So here they take Paul into their home. I presume that they were Christians when Paul met them. They were not thinking about tents; their thoughts were with Christ. What wonderful communications they must have had together. Those with whom you live know you better than anyone else.
The time came for Paul to depart, and he talked things over with them. He felt he must leave the brethren there, and he asked Priscilla and Aquila to go with him; so when Paul left, they did go with him.
Notice in verses 18 and 19 the two names are transposed. They are mentioned six times in the New Testament, and out of the six, Priscilla is mentioned first three times. No author in the New Testament had a higher opinion of women than Paul did. He speaks of Priscilla first, and it is not accidental that it got into the Word of God that way. Priscilla walked right along with him. As far as the record goes, she never got out of her place. There is nothing sweeter than to see two going along in this way.
Young folks, you had better weigh what we have before us here. There is no greater or heavier weight in this life than an unsaved companion. If you would take a godly man or woman and set them anywhere they would be a gain. Aquila and Priscilla had the same common truths, and they went on in their quiet way speaking of the things of Jesus. They were like a faithful tool ready for use.
When Apollos began to speak boldly in the synagogue, and "when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." (v. 26.) This Jew came from Alexandria and was an eloquent man. Aquila did not give a public address of which we know. Apollos needed to be instructed. We can be helped by our brethren if we are willing to be helped.
Aquila and Priscilla listened to Apollos and detected that something was missing. What he said was all right, but he did not go far enough. They might have stood up and said with considerable authority that Apollos needed teaching, but when the meeting was over they took him to their own home and gave him instruction. He had stopped with the baptism of John, but they told him about the Lord Jesus and how He was crucified. They laid out the marvelous truth that they had learned when they were making tents.
When Apollos got ready to leave Ephesus, he was a different Apollos. It was not left to Aquila to do it all; the account does not say that it was left to Aquila alone. In verse 26 it would seem that Priscilla was able to add her word at the right time. The result was that when Apollos left, he was commended by the saints. He did not go out as an independent man.
Apollos had received much from Aquila and Priscilla, but all truth finds its origin in God. When a brother gets up to minister, regardless of who he is, he cannot minister anything unless he has received it. "For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ." (v. 28.)
Now go to 1 Cor. 16:1919The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (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." There was something different in their greeting. They had a personal investment there at Corinth. We do become attached to the little assemblies where we grow up and where we live. They form a very special treasure in our memories. When they were in Corinth they had opened up their home to Paul. Now they have the Church in their home. When you read about the Church in somebody's house, if you have been taught by the Word of God, you will have no difficulty at all to understand it. If you have been taught that the church is a great building, it is hard to appreciate a thought like this. A building does not mean a thing to God. He does not dwell in buildings made with hands. Perhaps it was not an opulent home. Nevertheless, it was a place where the Church of God met. What a privilege it is to be hosts to the Church of God.
Paul was back in Corinth in Rom. 16. Aquila and Priscilla used to live in Rome, but they had fled from Rome at one time. Now they are permitted to return to Rome (Rom. 16:3-53Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. (Romans 16:3‑5)). The Apostle is writing a letter to them. First, it was Paul in their home, then it was the Church in their home, and now it is the Church in their home again. Again and again they had hazarded their lives for Paul. Perhaps many times they had been his companions when he was roughly treated. "Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus." (v. 3.) They confessed that they were companions of Paul.
“Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles." (v. 4.) Should not there be a deep desire that we might so live that we are counted as an asset, rather than that our brethren hang their heads in sorrow when our names are spoken? A certain servant of God who missed the path caused much confusion. He was a gifted man, but he was not an asset to the Church of God. The government of God caught up with him. There are hearts that are burdened for that man today.
The last line from the aged Apostle is in 2 Timothy 4. He had fought the good fight. He was going to be offered up, and he knew he was going to die. He had some things to say that were encouraging and he had some things to say that were very sad (v. 14). "Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works.”
In verse 19 Priscilla is mentioned first. They had moved back to Ephesus, and this is Paul's last contact with them. He says to salute them, for they were loyal right down to the end. He sends his loving greetings to them as he leaves this world. We are all going to leave this scene. We are going to end our story down here, and when it is ended will it be that the saints of God miss us as those who sought to be helpful? Or will we leave behind us disappointments and heartaches, because of our selfishness? In view of eternity would it not pay to look things over? Are we contributing to the peace of the saints?