Aquila and his wife, Priscilla (Prisca), Jewish contemporaries of St. Paul, traveled widely. Because of persecution in Rome, they went to Corinth where they met the apostle Paul, who joined them in their trade of tent-making, as the Apostle was likewise trained in that trade:
Acts 18: 1After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2And he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. And he went to see them, 3and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tent makers by trade. 4And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks.
Please note that the Roman persecution and exile of the Jews was the historical cause by which Paul met this faithful couple in the Lord. The three of them met in Corinth where the Apostle evangelized. The author of Acts, Luke, tells us that the three of them met because of their vocation, “tent makers by trade” (This means they were leather workers and as Paul was a trained Pharisee, it was customary for a Pharisee to have a trade). Was it a historical accident that Paul met this Christian husband and wife? We do not know in this concrete event in the Church’s history but we do know that the Lord is,
“…making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.” (Ephesians 1)
The Lord brings about His plan in ways that to the human eye are hidden but He is working to bring us His salvation in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Later Luke tells us in his history of the early Church, Acts, that Silas and Timothy came to Corinth, and so the Church was there in Corinth: Apostle Paul, Aquilla and Priscilla, Silas and Timothy. There were not a “team”as this was not a sport’s game. Our Lord promised where 2 or 3 are gathered in His Name, so He is there. It was not 5 of them in Corinth but also the Lord, the Temple of His Body to be revealed in the preaching and teaching of His Word, as the Apostle evangelized first in the Corinthian synagogue. Our Lord sent out the disciples two by two to preach and heal. Further, the Apostle Paul mentions Apollos eight times in 1 Corinthians. Paul wrote the Corinthians that their following of human leaders, however ‘charismatic’, is fleshly. Paul and Apollos worked in concert in the ministry of the Gospel:
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Corinthians 3)
Dr. Lockwood in his commentary on 1 Corinthians (Concordia Publishing House) points out: “…Apollos and Paul did not work independently of each other; they formed a harmonious unit, one in purpose, one in fellowship (Gal. 2: 9).” In the Scriptures, evangelism is not a solo activity, but the mission of the Church in concert under her Lord (see 1 Corinthians 12: 1-26).
The Apostle supported himself by making tents so he would not be a burden on the congregations he was called to serve (cf. 1 Corinthians 9: 18), though, he was by no means against preachers receiving a salary so that their time could be fully devoted to freely preach and teach the word (cf. 1 Corinthians 9: 1-8). In turn, Aquila and Priscilla joined Paul in his mission of proclaiming the Gospel. The couple later traveled with Paul from Corinth to Ephesus:
Acts 18: 18: After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila.
Priscilla and Aquila established a home in Ephesus that served as hospitality headquarters for new converts to Christianity. Paul left them there as he went to Caesarea, then Galatia and Phyrgia. It was good that Priscilla and Aquila stayed in Ephesus because of a visitor:
Acts 18: 24Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
This faithful couple taught the talented and highly educated Apollos regarding Baptism according to Christ’s command and promise. The Christians in Corinth were so fleshly proud that many of them boasted they followed Apollos and others(see 1 Corinthians 1:11-13), whereas Apollos, with all his erudition, was obviously humble and had an ear as one being taught (see Isaiah 50:4). It is also important to note that the clear implication in the verses above that, “the way of God” to us all is Baptism: “…though he knew only the baptism of John”, which was for repentance whereas Baptism commanded by Christ Jesus is for forgiveness, until He comes again (see St. Matthew 28: 18-20). Priscilla and Aquila were in business. Business is a vocation in this world for people to serve their neighbor, but this is also a clear narrative demonstrating that in your daily vocation you may so teach the “…way of God” to those who want to know. Priscilla and Aquila knew their catechism.
Then later, Apollos:
…wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.(Acts 18)
Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos are all remembered and honored for their great missionary zeal in the unity, the concord, of the Church. No matter the greatness nor humility of the talent, we all need to be catechized and preached Christ and Him crucified, “… showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.” This day is especially good to remember to always pray for all businessmen, tradesmen, day-laborers and to pray for the Church’s mission and her missionaries in daily life that the Lord’s salvation be brought to many a listening,“poor in spirit”, ear and heart.
Let us pray…
Triune God, whose very Name is holy, teach us to be faithful hearers and learners of Your Word , fervent in the Spirit as Apollos was, that we may teach it correctly against those who have been led astray into false and error and that we might follow the example of Aquila and Priscilla for the good the Church You established here and entrusted into our humble care; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.
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