Study along with us in the second article by guest author Jesse Flowers on “Godly Women of the Bible.”

Aquila and Priscilla, what an absolutely fascinating and inspiring Christian couple! They are mentioned a total of six times in the Holy Scriptures: three times by Luke (Acts 18:2, 18, 26) and three times by the apostle Paul (Rom. 16:3; I Cor. 16:19; 2 Tim. 4:19). Interestingly enough, Aquila is mentioned first half the time, and Priscilla is mentioned first half of the time. Together, they were an incredible spiritual team serving faithfully in the kingdom of Christ!

Our present series is focused on godly women of the Bible, but please understand as we make specific points about Priscilla that the very same points apply to her husband Aquila.

So what specific things make Priscilla a godly woman of the Bible?

1. She experienced persecution. We read in Acts 18:2, “a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome).” This expulsion “was likely after a disturbance between Jews over the question of whether Jesus was the Messiah” (Acts, Reese, p. 640). There is no question as to which side she and Aquila stood. It should come as no surprise to us then to later read how they “risked their own necks” for Paul’s life (Rom. 16:4). We too must be willing to confess Christ before an unbelieving world regardless of the consequences (Matt. 10:32-33). If we live godly lives, we also will suffer persecution (2 Tim. 3:12). This one point alone speaks volumes about the character and faith that Priscilla possessed.

2. She practiced hospitality. After leaving Athens, the apostle Paul came to the city of Corinth where he soon met Aquila and Priscilla. We read in the text that Paul “stayed with them” (Acts 18:3). How long did he stay in their home? Luke tells us that Paul “continued there a year and six months” (v. 11). That’s a very long time to have a guest stay in one’s home, even if it is a fellow Christian. But consider all the wonderful blessings they received by having this apostle of Jesus Christ in their home: the many meals shared together, mutual encouragement through good and bad times, joy in their common salvation, the countless spiritual studies and discussions, the very close friendship that was formed, etc. We too will gain much good whenever we are “given to hospitality” (Rom. 12:13; cf. Heb. 13:2; 1 Pet. 4:9).

3. She was industrious. Priscilla was a hard worker in and out of the home. Not only did these three share the “one faith” in common, but they also shared the same occupation in common. “So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers” (Acts 18:3). The usual connotation of the word “tentmaker” meant that an individual worked with the cloth from which the huge tents and sails were made (Reese, p. 641). It is said of the worthy woman of Proverbs 31 that “She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands” (v. 13). Godly women today will also be diligent workers inside and outside the home as they serve the Lord, their family, and others.

4. She was counted as Paul’s fellow worker. Of course, she and Aquila worked alongside Paul for 18 months in Corinth. But even when Paul departed from Corinth to head to Syria and later to Ephesus, they traveled with him (Acts 18:18-19). In his letter to the saints in Rome, the apostle describes them as being his “fellow workers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3). What an honor and privilege to be counted as Paul’s equal in the kingdom. Note that it was not just Aquila being described as a fellow worker, but his wife Priscilla as well. Whether male or female, we too ought to be “fellow workers” (Phil. 4:3) in service to the King of kings and Lord of lords (I Tim. 6:15). We too must be workers. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (I Cor. 15:58).

5. She assisted in teaching. Although the Scriptures clearly state that a woman is not “to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence” (I Tim. 2:12), this does not mean that a woman cannot teach God’s Word at all (Titus 2:3-5). There is no Bible authority for women preachers (I Cor. 14:34-35). There is no Bible authority for a woman to teach “over a man” (I Tim. 2:12). But there is authority for women to be involved in teaching, when the above principles are not violated. It is quite undeniable that Priscilla assisted Aquila in teaching Apollos the truth more fully (Acts 18:24-26). This godly woman possessed a knowledge and understanding of the Holy Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17) that she undoubtedly used to help many throughout her lifetime. We need more Christian women today like Priscilla to be “teachers of good things” (Titus 2:3).

6. She offered her home as the meeting place of the church. It is difficult to think of a greater service that one could render to the cause of Christ than to provide one’s home as the regular place for the saints to assemble to worship God (John 4:24; Heb. 10:25). But that’s exactly what Priscilla did (1 Cor. 16:9). The apostle Paul wrote: “Likewise greet the church that is in their house” (Romans 16:5). How many of us would enjoy a regular interruption to our family’s life, schedule, and routine with people continually flowing in and out of our home? Yet for some reason I just don’t envision this being viewed as an inconvenience or burden in the eyes of Priscilla. I’m sure she and Aquila considered it both a joy and honor to use their home in such a way to glorify God. How wonderful that their home was selflessly used by the church “in order to stir up love and good works” (Heb. 10:24). How wonderful that their home was so often filled with songs of praise, prayers of thanksgiving, cheerful giving, proclaiming the Lord’s death, and spiritual instruction. Consider how many great ways our homes can be used to glorify God.

Priscilla, another amazing woman of God! Is she not worthy of our admiration and imitation? Indeed she is! She being dead still speaks to us in some very needed and powerful ways!

Jesse Flowers has been preaching for the church of Christ at Pruett and Lobit Street in Baytown, Texas for the past 7 1/2 years. He is married to his beautiful wife, April (Melton), and they have four sweet children, Jesse, Josiah, Anna and Clara. If interested, you can read more of his articles or listen to his sermons at www.biblework.com.