Aquila and Priscilla: A sacrificial marriage
Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have 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 16:3-5, AV).
In Romans 16:3-5 we learn more about the marriage of Priscilla and Aquila. Paul informs his readers that these dear friends risked their lives for him. The neck conveys the idea of being equally yoked together and beautifully illustrates the unity of motive and action which characterised Priscilla and Aquila. Paul names lots of friends in the New Testament but never thinks of Priscilla without Aquila. These two people were never separated in the minds of those who knew them and had experienced their sacrificial love. Sacrificial love is at the basis of Christian marriage.
On our wedding day (those who choose to marry), we stand before God, our family, friends and many other witnesses to promise a lifelong faithfulness. Have you ever re-read your marriage vows? It is worth sitting down together and quietly and prayerfully going over the promises you made. For these promises to work, we have to be prepared for sacrifice. I have to be prepared to sacrifice my interests for those of my wife. Equally, she has to be ready to respond. It is the most beautiful and humbling human experience to know that someone loves you so much that they are prepared to sacrifice for your good. The standard is Christ Himself: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her” (Ephesians 5:25). The love a husband has for his wife should be a reflection of Christ’s love for his church. In Colossians 3:1 Paul tells husbands not to be harsh towards their wives. The Ephesian church was rebuked in Revelation 2:4 for the loss of its first love for Christ. When our love for Christ diminishes, our love for others follows the same path. In Ephesians 5:28-33 husbands are given the responsibility for nourishing and cherishing their wives. Nourishing (care) emphasises what is done and cherishing (tenderness), how it is done
Romans 16:5 refers to the church that was in Priscilla and Aquila’s house. The openness of their home is a lovely example of a couple given to hospitality. I remember very well the first time I went into the home of my Bible class teacher. He and his wife were devoted to each other and to serving the Lord. My sisters and I were very excited about being invited out. The table had all sorts of savouries and cakes on it, and all the plates and cutlery looked very special. But our hostess had forgotten to give me a knife for my side plate. When she noticed her mistake, she got a knife from the drawer and passed it to me. In my ignorance of table manners and place settings, I said, “It’s all right, Mrs Packer, I’ve already got a knife.” I didn’t realise you needed two! But Mrs Packer said, “Well, you can have this one as well for your cake.” As a young person, it impressed me how this gracious woman did not highlight my ignorance, which was what I was used to people doing, but simply took me as I was and helped me understand new things. When I think of Priscilla, she reminds me of the ‘Mrs Packers’ in my life who taught me so much about the gentleness and kindness I have seen in so many Christian homes and the witness which flows from them.
In 1 Corinthians 16:19 the church which is in their house is mentioned again and Paul writes, “Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily (or warmly) in the Lord.” In the Bible, it is often the tiniest expressions which convey the most significant meaning. Aquila and Priscilla were a warm-hearted couple. Their faith was a living faith and was proved in all the crises of married life. It was expressed in the warmth of the love they had towards each other and to others. On our travels, we often get asked by friends to especially pass on greetings and love to fellow Christians. This demonstrates a genuine desire to encourage others and to let them know they are in their thoughts and prayers. Christian marriage should have a heart-warming effect on others. It should demonstrate genuineness in a world which can be so superficial.
