ROMANS UNWRAPPED 230

"Greet Priscilla & Aquilla my helpers in Christ Jesus: who for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.   Likewise greet the church that is in their house."                                                                   Romans 16v3-5

In this section verses 3-16  Paul is acknowledging the Christian graces of many of his helpers in the work of the gospel.   Paul was able, not only to mention their names, but also to declare all he knew about them in their service for God.   Paul had many enemies in his missionary journeys, even amongst those who should have known better, but he appreciated the support of those who labored with him.  

In these verses he tabulates a number of qualities of the saints whom he names.  

• "For my life they laid down their necks."
• "The church which is in their house."
• "The firstfruits of Achaia to Christ."
• "Those who bestowed much labour."
• "Fellow prisoners."
• "Of note among the apostles."
•  "Fellow helpers in the Lord."
• "Beloved in the Lord."
• "Approved in Christ."
• "Those who labour in the Lord."
• "Laboured much in the Lord."
• "Chosen in the Lord."

All these were different Christian graces, which these believers had been able to fulfil, having been recipients of the grace of God.   It is good to appreciate the qualities of all God's servants in whatever capacity they served.   Some laid down their necks, some gave their homes, some labored much, some were imprisoned etc., but all were fellow helpers in the work.  

Notable among them at the very head of the list is the husband and wife couple Priscilla & Aquila who became very important in the global spread of the gospel.   What we know of them is mainly stated in Acts 18, and from the time they met Paul in Corinth, it would appear they were with him on many occasions and in many places.  Aquila was a Jew born in Pontus in Italy and had married his wife Priscilla while there.   They had come to live in Rome, but the emperor Claudius commanded all Jews to depart from Rome.   In the providence of God this led to their meeting up with Paul at Corinth who had arrived there on the back of a number of difficult missions.   Much is said about them in a few verses in Acts 18.

• Acts 18 v 2         They had the same trade as Paul, being tent makers.   In the days of the global conquests of Rome, tent making could be a very lucrative business.   Roman soldiers were everywhere, and whilst they were well paid, they were expected to buy their own tents while in the service of the Caesar.    Whenever they would move from one place to another, they left their tents behind, requiring to buy replacements in every place that they entered, so there was always call for the constant supply of camping equipment for the Roman soldier.    The apostle Paul had the same craft as this couple and at Corinth it says  "he abode with them and wrought."   So Priscilla & Aquilla were with Paul at Corinth for at least eighteen months. 
• Acts 18 v 18       Paul left Corinth to go into Syria, where he had been born and raised, and where the first Gentile church had been planted.   The comment here is that Priscilla & Aquila went with him.   They then went with Paul to Ephesus, and it would appear that the couple remained there.
• Acts 18 v 24 - 26        While at Ephesus they met with Apollos who became a companion servant with them, and with the apostle Paul from that time on.   Apollos was a Jew, born in Alexandria.   This is significant, because Alexandria was a centre of biblical excellence, and along with Tarsus (where Paul had been raised) and Jerusalem, had become one of the three main centres of biblical exposition.    Indeed the Septuagint version of the bible, the translation of the Hebrew scriptures into Greek for ease of communication, had been completed at Alexandria.   Apollos was described as  "an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures."   When he met with Priscilla & Aquila at Ephesus, he knew only the baptism of John and Priscilla & Aquila were able to instruct him in matters of the new faith.   When they heard him speak at Ephesus they detected a flaw in his understanding, and they took him aside and  "expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly."   Acts 18v26   What this did for the church at large, only eternity will reveal, because this man, so gifted of God, was able to benefit from the advice of the couple, who had courage enough and grace enough to confront him with a misunderstanding.    Apollos himself also had the grace to accept what they taught him, and never looked back.    Apollos benefited from the instruction of Priscilla & Aquila in line with the Proverbs chapter 9v9  "Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser; teach a just man and he will increase in learning."   Like Priscilla & Aquila we should have the courage to confront the Lord's servants when they are wrong, and like Apollos we should have the wisdom and the grace to receive the instructions.
• Romans 16 v 4        We know not the occasion to which Paul is referring, but he says that Priscilla & Aquila laid down their necks for Paul's life.    They risked themselves for the sake of the apostle.    Paul never forgot this, and so heads this list of greetings and salutations for the conquests of God's people with reference to them.
• Romans 16 v 5        They used their home for the benefit of the Lord's servants, and indeed they had a church in their house.    God blesses the homes that are used for His service. They had a church in their house for a long time(1 Corinthians 16v19).
• 2Timothy 4v19        The chapter where Paul is nearing the end of his life's work, Priscilla and Aquila are still at Ephesus and Paul, to the end, appreciated their consistency, and courage.

One day we shall all meet these great pioneers of the gospel, and we do well to follow their selfless example, which stands as a beacon of light to this present day.