Partners in Faith

Most of the early Christian ministry was carried out by single people of faith, but in the case of Priscilla and her husband, Aquila, we find a couple who taught and provided support for the Christian community in many places.

The Roman emperor Claudius expelled Priscilla and Aquila from Rome in 49 A.D. From Rome they moved to Corinth. They were makers of leather tents, and in Corinth they first met the apostle Paul, who also worked as a tent maker. The couple developed a lifelong friendship with Paul, and allowed Paul to live with them (Acts 18:1). From Corinth they moved to Ephesus, where they assisted Paul in his ministry. After the emperor Claudius died, Priscilla and Aquila returned to Rome, where their home was once again a center of Christian worship.

Priscilla and Aquila understood that faith in Jesus Christ was not something individuals managed on their own. Teaching, worshiping, and sharing faith required community. Even though they moved often to spread the Good News and to avoid religious persecutions, Priscilla and Aquila's home was always a center of faith (1 Corinthians 16:19, Romans 16:3) and they were responsible for teaching many others about Jesus (Acts 18:24). There is no evidence that Priscilla and Aquila were martyred but sources note that the early church commemorated them on July 8.

Often we understand faith to be a personal thing, but for Priscilla and Aquila it was the natural outgrowth of their marriage. They knew that their faith was both personal and shared. Because of their efforts, later generations would also share in the faith of the Church. It is through our willingness to share our faith that we build up the faith of the church in our own day.

Reflect on the Word

Praise the LORD and pray in his name! Tell everyone what he has done. Sing praises to the LORD! Tell about his miracles. Celebrate and worship his holy name with all your heart.

Psalm 105:1-3 (CEV)