Aquila and Priscilla: A special marriage
Greet Prisca and Aquila (2 Timothy 4:19).
In his final mention of Priscilla and Aquila in the Bible, Paul simply writes, “Greet Prisca and Aquila.” These were some of the very last words Paul wrote, as he remembered this special couple who were his dearest friends, and to whom he owed so much. Paul did not have to expand upon their lives of devoted service; their names said it all. They are only mentioned six times in the New Testament. But in these references we see how much Priscilla and Aquila had learned of Christ and shown Him to others in their outstanding marriage. I am reminded of the Lord’s words in Matthew 11:29-30, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Their lives were lived as one, and they are given to us as an example of Christian marriage. It was a joyous marriage, lived out in a challenging world. It was a marriage which overcame adversity and thrived by knowing and sharing the love of God.
Several years ago I spoke at a young people’s conference in Germany. I talked about Aquila and Priscilla, and Christian marriage. I introduced the subject by saying that Christian marriage is vital to all Christians. It is one of the few times I can remember being heckled in such a meeting. Two young men, who were not married, asked why the subject was essential to them. I explained that God’s model for society is based on marriage and that families, communities and nations emerged from it. I emphasised that marriage witnesses to the love of Christ. Christians should uphold its value and purpose, even if we never marry, and we should make marriage, the bringing up of children and the family central themes of our prayers. I added that young Christian men and women should prepare themselves for marriage.
Two years later, at the same conference, a young brother came to me and reminded me of my talk. He thanked me for the ministry. He explained he had not appreciated what I had said at the time but had come to understand its importance. He was about to be married.
The UK Office of National Statistics reported that marriage rates for opposite-sex couples in 2017 were the lowest on record and that only 22% of all marriages in 2017 were religious ceremonies, the lowest percentage on record. Nearly 9 in 10 (88%) of opposite-sex couples cohabited before getting married in 2017. The statistician’s comment was:
Marriage rates for opposite-sex couples are now at the lowest level on record. This continues a gradual long-term decline seen since the early 1970s, with numbers falling by a third over the past 40 years. The popularity of religious ceremonies also fell to historic lows for the second year running, with fewer than one in four couples choosing to get married through a religious ceremony.
I think society has yet to understand and bear the real cost of abandoning the model of marriage God established for our well-being. This rejection didn’t start in the 1970s. We can trace its roots to the beginning of society and men’s treatment of women. Marriage does not guarantee love and care. But God designed marriage so that love could be sacrificially expressed towards each other, our children and society as a whole. God’s word tells us to hold marriage in honour (Hebrews 13:4), and Paul warns us of a world in which marriage would be forbidden (1 Timothy 4:3). God has chosen us to be His witnesses in a world that is increasingly rejecting God’s paths of righteousness.
Aquila and Priscilla teach us how to be such witnesses. May our marriages, by God’s grace, honour Him, encourage each other, and be an example and blessing in a broken world.
