Priscilla? There is so little known about her you may ask why a study on Priscilla? There is more to our Sister Priscilla than we give credit to.
Priscilla is first mentioned in the New Testament by the apostle Paul. She and her husband Aquila were Jewish tent makers and believers in Christ. Acts 18:2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And again in Romans 16:3 Paul tells us they were fellow workers. Romans 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
So what's so great about Priscilla? First in the scripture she is never mentioned alone the scripture always recognizes her along with her lifetime partner and husband Aquila. She was a servant along side of her husband every step of the way. When we take a look at the ministry of these two servants it is so awesome to see the divine covenant of God at work. Priscilla is a perfect example of the help meet in action. Let's look at this side by side relationship at work:
1-They were hospitable opening their hearts and their tents to the homeless apostle Paul. The church in Ephesus met in their home as well. 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. Ladies as wives and mothers we put a lot of emphasis into our homes, keeping them clean, presentable and hospitable. I can tell you first hand it is not easy as a Woman to have your home open twenty-four seven. We had services in our home for quite a while this entailed a good cleaning before and after as well. This meant preparing coffee, making sure even the minute details were met in my home. This also called for Vern and I to be available to those in need at all times. So many times I would just sit and imagine what it would be like to have a home that wasn't also a church, a refuge to those in need, an office etc. etc. But here we see Priscilla along side of her husband, I am sure as a Woman she too desired some alone time with Aquila, desired a quiet evening with no interruptions, desired to have a place of refuge. However we can imagine the days of the apostle's where someone always need a warm meal and a bed, where there was a great need for relief from persecution, a hiding place. And here we see this awesome Sister who placed the furtherance of the gospel above her own desires. When we see the instruction given by Paul in 1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. We can see how Priscilla and Aquila followed their calling to the letter of the law.
2-They were industrious side by side in their workmanship of tent making and leather work. Of course many of us cannot go to work with our spouses but the blessing here shows first her willingness to work hard, second her willingness to help make provision, and third her efforts of being involved with her husbands efforts. Today it's sad to see married people taking separate vacations, women showing absolutely no interest in their husbands work or hobbies. I am not saying that we should demand or always be involved. However showing interest in whatever your spouse is involved with also sends a clear message to him that you are interested in the things he enjoys, you are supportive of his work and that you are proud of his ccomplishments. Just as we as wives and mothers need encouragement so do our husbands. They need to hear from us that we appreciate their efforts in and outside of the home.
3-They were travelers, each time they are mentioned in the Word they are in different locations. They traveled from Rome to Corinth, Ephesus and back again. As they traveled they showed their perseverance to the calling of God. Again we notice that they were always together. From this some may take that they had no children thus freeing Priscilla to be along side her husband every step of the way.
4-They were knowledgeable, they listened and clung to every word of Paul as he taught Jew's and Greeks alike of Jesus Christ, They gained the knowledge, discernment and wisdom so that they could minister to others and serve God in others places and many other ways. A perfect example of this is in Acts 18:24-28 18:24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 18:25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 18:26 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. 18:27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: 18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. Although Apollo's was mighty in the scriptures there was so much more for him to learn and we see how Priscilla and Aquila brought so much more into his life.
5-They were willing to heed and yield to the call of God, they would go anywhere, do anything at any time and at any cost to fulfill the calling on their lives to see the kingdom of God furthered and the gospel fulfilled.
6-They persevered again looking back on the time in which they lived there was serious danger in being a Christian not to mention the jeopardy one's life was in when they ministered the Word of God to others. As true believers we will and must expect persecution. The word clearly says that we will have suffering and persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. And again in Philippians 1:29. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; How do we handle the suffereing again we go back to the scripture REJOICE Find joy. 1 Peter 4:12 & 13 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.
 
Dearest Sisters in the Lord do you see the shadow of the Proverbs 31 woman here in Priscilla's life? Although she may not have had children she fulfilled the praises of a woman after God's own heart. She stood by her husband, she was hospitable, she reached out to those in need.
Are you a married Sister? Be your husband saved or not we are called as Godly wives to honor him, be supportive of his goals and dreams, to encourage him in his work. We must do the part God has called us to do regardless of our husbands relationship with Christ. Let us take from Priscilla's example and be there every step of the way for our lifetime partner, let us as well learn from her perseverance that we too can rejoice and find joy in the mist of suffering and persecution.
NL©2000