SUMMARY
When Apollos, an enthusiastic believer from Alexandria, comes to Ephesus, he receives instruction from Priscilla and her husband, Aquila.
ANALYSIS
Although Apollos is eloquent, enthusiastic, and “well-versed in the Scriptures,” his teachings only go so far. He requires further instruction. The married couple Priscilla and Aquila teach Apollos so that he might speak “more accurately.” This passage shows Priscilla as a leader. The mention of her name before the name of her husband (also in Acts 18:18; Romans 16:3; 2 Timothy 4:19) suggests that she is the more prominent teacher and minister.
Priscilla (also known as Prisca) and Aquila worked with Paul in Corinth and carried on without him when he moved on in his journey. The couple had been part of the early Christ assembly in Rome, until Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews (including Jewish believers in Christ) from the city in 49 C.E. They resettled in Corinth where they continued to ply their trade as “tentmakers” or leatherworkers. They became natural hosts for Paul when he came to Corinth, not only because of their shared faith in Christ, but because Paul himself also worked as a tentmaker (Acts 18:1‒3).
Priscilla and Aquila became two of Paul’s most valued associates, who even “risked their necks for my life,” according to Paul’s testimony in Romans 16:3‒4. They moved from Corinth to Ephesus and then back to Rome (after Claudius’ death), hosting “house churches” in each city (see 1 Corinthians 16:19; Romans 16:3‒5).
