by Exploring the powerful influence of an extraordinary woman in the early church
Throughout the Book of Acts, we encounter remarkable individuals who shaped the early church through their dedication and service. Among these influential figures stands Priscilla, sometimes called Prisca—a woman whose impact resonates through generations of Christian teaching.
Who Was Priscilla?
Priscilla was Roman by birth and heritage—a Gentile, not Jewish. Historical evidence suggests she may have converted to Judaism later in life. She was highly educated, well-respected, and possibly of noble birth, potentially related to a Roman senator. Beyond her status, she became a dedicated leader in the early church, serving alongside her husband Aquila and the apostle Paul.
By trade, Priscilla was a tentmaker who worked with leather and fabric. This wasn’t just a job—it was how she and Aquila funded their ministry and supported the growing church movement. She exemplified hard work, hospitality, and commitment to spreading the gospel.
A Divine Intersection with Paul
We first meet Priscilla and Aquila in Acts 18:1-3:
“After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he found a Jew named Aquila, who was a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul came to them, and since they were of the same occupation, tentmakers by trade, he stayed with them and worked.”
Their meeting was no coincidence. Priscilla and Aquila had been forced to flee Rome when Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews around 49-50 AD. They established themselves in Corinth—a notoriously immoral port city—where Paul found them during his second missionary journey.
The three formed an immediate bond. They were like-minded coworkers not just in tentmaking but in kingdom-building. With their support, Paul stayed in Corinth for approximately 18 months, longer than previous stops on his journey. Their partnership proved so valuable that when Paul departed for Syria, he brought Priscilla and Aquila with him as far as Ephesus, where they remained while he continued his journey.
Teachers and Mentors
While in Ephesus, Priscilla and Aquila encountered Apollos, a gifted teacher from Alexandria. Acts 18:24-26 tells us:
“He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.”
Notice that Priscilla is mentioned first—a subtle but significant detail suggesting her prominent role in teaching Apollos. They didn’t publicly embarrass him but invited him into their home and gently corrected his understanding. After their instruction, Apollos went on to become an even more effective minister in Corinth.
Opening Their Home and Hearts
Throughout the New Testament, we consistently see Priscilla and Aquila opening their home for church gatherings. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 16:19:
“The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla send you warm greetings in the Lord, along with the church that meets in their home.”
Whether in Rome, Corinth, or Ephesus—three major cities of the Roman Empire—their home became a center for worship, teaching, and fellowship. This hospitality wasn’t just what they did; it was who they were.
Risk-Takers for the Gospel
When Paul later wrote to the Romans, he said of this couple:
“Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ, who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches.”
In Ephesus, when Paul’s preaching threatened the idol-makers’ business and sparked a riot, Priscilla and Aquila put their lives on the line to protect him. They repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to sacrifice everything for Christ.
Lessons from Priscilla’s Life
If Priscilla could speak to us today, she might say:
- Use your gifts—The Holy Spirit doesn’t discriminate based on gender. Whatever your gift is—teaching, hospitality, encouragement—use it boldly.
- Take risks for Jesus—No sacrifice is too great for the gospel. Priscilla and Aquila relocated multiple times across the Roman Empire, following God’s call.
- Open homes lead to open hearts—By meeting physical needs through hospitality, we create opportunities to meet spiritual needs. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
- Discipleship happens in community—Following Christ isn’t a solo journey. Priscilla’s effectiveness stemmed from her partnership with Aquila and their investment in others.
Redefining Family in God’s Kingdom
Jesus redefined family in Mark 3:33-35:
“Who are my mother and my brothers?” Looking at those sitting in a circle around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”
In the kingdom of God, even childless women become mothers to many through spiritual influence. Throughout Scripture, we see women funding Jesus’ ministry, standing at the cross when others fled, discovering the empty tomb, and serving as deacons and apostles in the early church.
Our Modern Call
Like Priscilla, we’re called to break down barriers, open our homes, use our gifts, and take risks for the gospel. The early church thrived because ordinary people—both men and women—lived out extraordinary faith.
As Proverbs 31:30 reminds us: “Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.”
May we all follow Priscilla’s example of faithful service, courageous testimony, and generous hospitality in building God’s kingdom.
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Daniel N. Lee 