What role do Aquila and Prisca play in the early church's growth? A snapshot from Corinth “The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, along with the church that meets in their home.” (1 Corinthians 16:19) Setting the scene Paul is closing his first letter to Corinth. In the flow of quick greetings, the Holy Spirit takes space to highlight a married couple—Aquila and Priscilla (also called Prisca)—and the believers gathering under their roof. Their cameo here hints at a much larger story woven through Acts and several epistles. Getting to know the couple • Acts 18:2–3—Expelled from Rome by Claudius, they settle in Corinth and share both trade and table with Paul. • Acts 18:18–19—They travel with Paul to Ephesus, remain there, and open their home again. • Romans 16:3–5—Back in Rome later on, they host yet another house church. Paul calls them “my fellow workers in Christ Jesus” who “risked their lives” for him. • 2 Timothy 4:19—Years later Paul still remembers them warmly, now likely back in Ephesus. What did they actually do? 1. Hospitable church planters • They repeatedly turned their home into a gathering place for worship and teaching. • Small, house-based fellowships were the seedbeds of the first-century church; by hosting one in city after city, they gave the gospel a physical address. 2. Skilled Bible mentors • Acts 18:24–26—They take aside the eloquent Apollos and “explained to him the way of God more accurately.” Their quiet, doctrinal clarity safeguarded the message before it spread further. 3. Faith-filled risk-takers • Romans 16:3–4—Paul says they put their own necks on the line for him. Whether sheltering him from persecution or vouching for him before authorities, their courage protected a key messenger of the gospel. 4. Vocational partners in mission • Tentmaking funded their travel, kept them mobile, and demonstrated that everyday work can propel ministry rather than hinder it. How their service fueled church growth • Every new house church multiplied evangelism circles—friends, neighbors, tradespeople encountered Christ in a familiar setting. • Their instruction of Apollos indirectly shaped the church at Corinth and beyond, as his refined preaching powerfully refuted Jews in public (Acts 18:28). • Their loyalty to Paul kept him preaching longer and farther; rescuing a gospel carrier means rescuing countless future hearers. • Their marriage modeled kingdom teamwork—two lives aligned around the same gospel burden, amplifying each other’s reach. Takeaways for today • Hospitality can be one of the most strategic evangelism tools God gives a household. • Theological accuracy matters; lovingly correcting error strengthens the whole body. • Ordinary vocations and gospel mission are not competing tracks—they can run together. • A unified marriage is a potent platform for discipleship, church planting, and kingdom courage. |
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