Marriage and the BibleMarriage and the BibleBased on the Living in Love Series by Richard L. Strauss, Biblical Studies Foundation - 1998

Warm-UpWarm-Up• What major factors hinder a healthy marriage?

• What major factors hinder an obedient and unrestrained walk with Jesus?

Side by SideSide by Side

Chapter 12: Aquila and Priscilla

The SettingThe Setting• 49 A.D.

– The Roman Emperor Claudius has expelled all Jews from the city of Rome.

– This is in response to the considerable disturbance to the persecution of the Christian “sect.”

– All were expelled, innocent or guilty.

What We Know…What We Know…• Aquila is a Jew, originally from Pontus.

• Aquila has a wife named Priscilla.

• They were expelled from Rome.

• They are tentmakers, apparently setting up shop in Corinth in a manner where Paul seeks them out as fellow tradesmen.

What We Don’t Know…What We Don’t Know…• We do not know if Priscilla was herself a Jew.

• We do not know the primary reason they were expelled.

– Just because (at least Aquila) was a Jew?

– Were they already members of the Christian faith?

They Worked Side-by-SideThey Worked Side-by-Side• Aquila likely learned tent making from his family,

Priscilla likely learned from Aquila.

• Tent making required a high degree of skill.

• It takes a mature relationship to weather the stress and pressure associated with working closely together.

They Worked Side-by-SideThey Worked Side-by-Side• This arrangement requires a healthy sense of

friendship and companionship.

• This arrangement requires healthy communication and a willingness to take suggestions without defensiveness.

• This arrangement introduces an atmosphere of equality in the relationship.

They Grew Side-by-SideThey Grew Side-by-Side• They housed Paul while he was in Corinth.

– If they were not believers before, they sure are now!

• They spent 18 months in the presence of Paul and in an atmosphere of intense Bible study.

• They saw amazing events unfold in the Church.

• They undoubtedly grew closer together.

Discussion BreakDiscussion Break• How high a priority should mutual/shared Bible

study be in a marriage?

• What kind of strategies work for you in this area?

They Served Side-by-SideThey Served Side-by-Side• Aquila and Priscilla grew in the faith.

• They were willing to accompany Paul to Ephesus.

• They had become so mature and knowledgeable about the Gospel that they were able to offer helpful correction to Apollos, who went on to be an extraordinary preacher.– 1 Corinthians 1:12

They Served Side-by-SideThey Served Side-by-Side• They opened their home for the ministry.

– 1 Corinthians 16:19

• God had blessed these refugees materially to the point where they were able to open their home to a sizeable gathering (the Ephesian Church).

• They eventually return to Rome to do the same.– Romans 16:3-5

They Risked Side-by-SideThey Risked Side-by-Side• In the Romans 16:3-5 passage, it is clear that

Aquila and Priscilla in some way endangered themselves for the sake of saving Paul.

• We do not know the details of this event, but we can be thankful to them that Paul was not cut short in his ministry and writings.

Paul’s Dying WordsPaul’s Dying Words• Of the last words penned by Paul before his

execution at the hands of Nero, Paul remembers his dear friends.

• 2 Timothy 4:19

• They had returned to Ephesus, perhaps due to fresh persecution against Christians in Rome.

True EqualityTrue Equality• Many scholars point out that Priscilla’s name

appears before Aquila’s for the majority of times they are mentioned in the Bible.

• We can only speculate, but perhaps Priscilla was the more gifted or outspoken of the two.

• In any event, we do not detect any threads of threatened or competitive feelings between the two.

True EqualityTrue Equality• The bottom line for Priscilla and Aquila was that

they each put everything they had into the ministry of Jesus.

• Despite the ironic worldview of Christianity, true equality and liberation happens when we each allow God to use us to the fullest of the abilities He has endowed us with.

SummarySummary• Priscilla and Aquila did not succumb to victim

mentality at the beginning of their story.

• They did not start out with any particularly powerful gifts, but leveraged everything God had given them to effectively minister.– Housed a missionary.– Housed a Church.– Humbly corrected a brother.– Showed a willingness to lay down their lives.

ApplicationApplication• In what ways can you and your spouse

contribute to the ministry of the Gospel?

• Is your home also a church?

• Do you feel that you are fully leveraging the gifts God has given you, both as a couple and as individuals?