Aquila and Priscilla: A spiritual and supportive marriage
And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:18, AV).
Priscilla and Aquila’s marriage was not a self- centred one. In the Old Testament, if a man took a new wife he did not have to go out to war or be charged with any public duties, but was free for one year to bring happiness to his wife (Deuteronomy 24:5). He had to concentrate on establishing a happy, stable marriage. Once this was done, they entered fully into community life. This is very relevant to marriage today. So many marriages break down so quickly. This often has to do with couples carrying on as single people after they are married. Time is not given to developing a happy marriage that will grow and prosper. Self-absorption is another problem. Couples can become so absorbed with each other that there is no place or time for anyone else. This approach can stifle a marriage and create problems. A healthy marriage is balanced. Priscilla and Aquila’s relationship was characterised by the love of God. They were devoted to each other, but their love flowed out to others in friendship, service, and sacrifice. They were amongst Paul’s closest friends and consistently supported him. We should not forget the responsibility we have to serve God together. There will always be those within and outside our families who need us. Priscilla and Aquila instinctively responded to the needs of others.
This is demonstrated in Acts 18:24-28 when Aquila and Priscilla, who had travelled with Paul to Ephesus, heard an outstanding preacher called Apollos speaking at the
synagogue, which he was visiting. Although he was a remarkable communicator, he only knew about the teaching of John the Baptist. Aquila and Priscilla invited him into their home (NIV) and helped him to understand the complete revelation of God in Jesus Christ. Their teaching of Apollos resulted in great blessing.
A recurring theme in the story of Aquila and Priscilla is the home. It is the place where others can see and benefit from the love which exists between a married couple. We live in a world of broken relationships and consequently broken homes. A home is a place where love is expressed between husband and wife, parents and children, families and friends. Aquila and Priscilla’s home was such a place, and the word of God was at its centre. When I was a young Christian, I was taught that “time with God” each day was an essential part of a Christian’s life and also Christian marriage. In every Christian home there should be a time when the family takes the opportunity to pray and read the Scriptures together. Preparing for each day in God’s presence and reviewing it with Him at the end of the day is a good practice. Marriages and families are strengthened by this “time with God”.
Because Aquila and Priscilla had made the word of God central to their lives, they were able to help other believers. They both understood and could explain the word of God and were able to help Apollos. They worked in partnership and used the atmosphere of their home for the spiritual blessing of others. Teaching God’s word is not merely relaying information. It is a spiritual process that is ministered in grace. And the home and hospitality have important parts to play. Paul reminds Timothy of the influence of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:5,3:15). From childhood, Timothy had known the Scriptures which were “able to make him wise unto salvation”. He knew them because his mother and grandmother knew them. He learnt them in the home. We must never underestimate the importance of godly women in the spiritual development of young people and of the people of God generally. Paul mentions Timothy’s grandmother, Lois. Marriage is God’s basis for family life, and all the relationships it provides. The role of grandparents should be valued, but they should not interfere in the marriages of their children. They are to use their knowledge, wisdom and experience to support their children and grandchildren in grace.
