“Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, my coworkers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life. Not only do I thank them, but so do all the Gentile churches. Greet also the church that meets in their home.”
Romans 16:3-5a
More Powerful Together
Who comes to mind when you think of a “power couple” in Scripture? Are you maybe thinking of Abraham and Sarah? How about Boaz and Ruth? We see examples of men and women who faithfully served the Lord through their marriages. Like these incredible Old Testament heroes of the faith, we must ask ourselves and our spouses, What’s our marriage offering?
But there’s still another couple who stands out, especially within the context of the early church’s foundations. The husband and wife we’re learning about are named Aquila and Priscilla (though sometimes she is referred to as Prisca). You and I can learn so much about the ways these two were able to offer up what they had to the Lord…and how we can, too!
Committed to The Gospel
Not an incredible amount of information is known about this couple. However, the details we do know about their lives are astounding. We know that they hosted a church in their home (1 Corinthians 16:19). We also see an example of their remarkable discipleship and hospitality, as they’re recorded taking the apostle Apollos aside—or “receiving him”—and teaching the way of God to him more accurately (Acts 18:26).
Pulling from this information alone, we can tell that these tentmakers by trade were committed to laboring for the gospel, despite having a career separate from the work of the church. Doesn’t this make their service and involvement within the church that much more remarkable? Wouldn’t our own commitments and investments in our own churches speak just as loudly?
The Gifts We Bring
The example we receive of Priscilla and Aquila is one to truly learn from. Though they weren’t employed by the church, they served with what they had: their home, their knowledge, and the love of Christ that they had to offer to those around them. In today’s verses, we can even read about the ways they risked their own lives for the apostle Paul’s ministry and well-being. How incredible!
Your life doesn’t look exactly like theirs, and likely neither does your marriage. But you and your spouse still have ways that you can uniquely serve the church through your own distinctive giftings. So, the question still stands: What’s your marriage offering? How can you further the gospel as individuals and as a couple?
What Now?
Take a moment to consider the ways you are able to serve, love, and invest in the life of the church. Whether you’re Whether you’re married, engaged, dating, or single, you have gifts that the Lord delights to see you utilize. How can you dive more deeply into who He has created you to be, both as an individual as well as through your marriage?