Called to Explain. Feb 21, 2021. Acts 18:1-3, 18-21, 24-26.

After Paul left Athens, he went to Corinth. Paul then met Aquila and his wife Priscilla. They both had recently arrived from Italy. They were in Corinth because Emperor Claudius had all the Jews expelled from Rome. When Paul met Priscilla and Aquila, he found out that they were all in the same profession. They were tentmakers.  The couple not only worked with Paul as tentmakers, but the couple opened their home to Paul. This gave Paul a chance to minister to the couple. After staying there for a while, Paul sailed to Syria. He was accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Because of a vow Paul had made he had his hair cut off. It was probably a nazarite vow where he abstains from alcohol and would not allow a razor to touch his head.

They came to Ephesus where Paul went into the synagogue there and preached the good news of Jesus Christ. The message appealed to the people, and they asked him to stay in Ephesus. However, Paul declined, leaving Priscilla and Aquila to nurture the church and to continue with the ministry. Paul did promise to return if it was God’s will. With a population of 250,000, Ephesus was one the largest cities in the eastern Roman Empire.  He definitely wanted to plant a seed there. Sometimes after Paul left Ephesus, a man named Apollos arrived in the city. He was a native of Alexandria, Egypt. Apollos was an eloquent and articulate speaker.  He was very educated in the scriptures. He knew about John the Baptist and his baptism but that is where his education ended. Apollos spoke boldly in the synagogue and with great fervor. He spoke only of the baptism of John. “The Messiah is coming,” he preached, “prepare to receive him”. Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak. They invited him to their home. They explained to him about the coming of Christ and what it meant. They taught him a more excellent way. Paul in Romans 11th chapter called Priscilla and Aquila his co-workers in Christ. He regarded them as having a powerful influence not only in Corinth and Ephesus but also in all gentile churches. In addition, all the churches gave thanks for them. Paul said that they risked their lives for him, but he did not say how.

We see that Priscilla was an important woman in the bible. Priscilla and her husband Aquila benefited greatly from the time they spent with Paul. They both possessed a comprehensive and thorough understanding of the doctrine. They were able to pass this knowledge on to Apollos and build up his faith. Thus, we have another woman who was instrumental in spreading the good news.