Who were Priscilla and Aquila? | Acts 18:1-28 (Part 1) | Join The Journey Podcast

All right, all right. Join the journey, All right, all right. Join the journey, family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're family, friends, and guests. You're listening to Join [music] the Journey listening to Join [music] the Journey listening to Join [music] the Journey podcast with your host, Emma Dotter. podcast with your host, Emma Dotter. podcast with your host, Emma Dotter. >> Thanks for joining. This week, we are >> Thanks for joining. This week, we are >> Thanks for joining. This week, we are [music] reading Acts 18 verses 1 through [music] reading Acts 18 verses 1 through [music] reading Acts 18 verses 1 through 28, answering some questions about 28, answering some questions about 28, answering some questions about Priscilla and Aquila. But before we dive Priscilla and Aquila. But before we dive Priscilla and Aquila. But before we dive in, I've got two quick announcements. in, I've got two quick announcements. in, I've got two quick announcements. Join the Journey is on the hunt to find Join the Journey is on the hunt to find Join the Journey is on the hunt to find some more volunteers. If you are local some more volunteers. If you are local some more volunteers. If you are local to Dallas and a member at Watermark to Dallas and a member at Watermark to Dallas and a member at Watermark Community Church or going through the Community Church or going through the Community Church or going through the membership process, we would love for membership process, we would love for membership process, we would love for you to consider serving with us. If you to consider serving with us. If you to consider serving with us. If you're gifted with skills like video you're gifted with skills like video you're gifted with skills like video editing or graphic design, we'd editing or graphic design, we'd editing or graphic design, we'd specifically love your help with our specifically love your help with our specifically love your help with our social media team, using social media to social media team, using social media to social media team, using social media to spread the word about Join the Journey. spread the word about Join the Journey. spread the word about Join the Journey. But if that's not you, we're also But if that's not you, we're also But if that's not you, we're also looking for more volunteers to serve on looking for more volunteers to serve on looking for more volunteers to serve on our editing team. As we get closer to our editing team. As we get closer to our editing team. As we get closer to 2027, our need for editors is only going 2027, our need for editors is only going 2027, our need for editors is only going to increase. And so when it comes to to increase. And so when it comes to to increase. And so when it comes to serving as editors, we're looking for serving as editors, we're looking for serving as editors, we're looking for people who are gifted in writing, people who are gifted in writing, people who are gifted in writing, grammar, maybe you're a great student of grammar, maybe you're a great student of grammar, maybe you're a great student of theology or have a high or strong theology or have a high or strong theology or have a high or strong attention to detail. Our editors are attention to detail. Our editors are attention to detail. Our editors are typically in occupations like law or typically in occupations like law or typically in occupations like law or education or even work in copywriting education or even work in copywriting education or even work in copywriting themselves. But having a job related to themselves. But having a job related to themselves. But having a job related to editing isn't necessarily a editing isn't necessarily a editing isn't necessarily a qualification for serving as an editor.

qualification for serving as an editor. qualification for serving as an editor. We're simply looking for those who God We're simply looking for those who God We're simply looking for those who God has gifted with skills that would make a has gifted with skills that would make a has gifted with skills that would make a good editor. good editor. good editor. We'll put more information in today's We'll put more information in today's We'll put more information in today's show notes for you to find out more or show notes for you to find out more or show notes for you to find out more or apply. apply. apply. But all of that said, let's get into But all of that said, let's get into But all of that said, let's get into today's episode. today's episode. today's episode. Have you ever watched the medal ceremony Have you ever watched the medal ceremony Have you ever watched the medal ceremony at the Olympics? at the Olympics? at the Olympics? You don't even need someone to explain You don't even need someone to explain You don't even need someone to explain what's happening because it's pretty what's happening because it's pretty what's happening because it's pretty obvious. The athlete standing in the obvious. The athlete standing in the obvious. The athlete standing in the middle is on the highest step and middle is on the highest step and middle is on the highest step and they've won gold. The athlete to the they've won gold. The athlete to the they've won gold. The athlete to the right gets silver and to the left on the right gets silver and to the left on the right gets silver and to the left on the lowest podium gets bronze. Their lowest podium gets bronze. Their lowest podium gets bronze. Their position communicates their position communicates their position communicates their significance. significance. significance. That's true in so many areas of life. That's true in so many areas of life. That's true in so many areas of life. Position communicates significance. We Position communicates significance. We Position communicates significance. We assume whoever's listed first or on the assume whoever's listed first or on the assume whoever's listed first or on the highest block is the leader, the winner, highest block is the leader, the winner, highest block is the leader, the winner, the most important person, or the one the most important person, or the one the most important person, or the one who deserves the most recognition. who deserves the most recognition. who deserves the most recognition. So, So, So, when Bible readers notice that when Bible readers notice that when Bible readers notice that Priscilla's name often comes before her Priscilla's name often comes before her Priscilla's name often comes before her husband Aquila's, it's natural to ask, husband Aquila's, it's natural to ask, husband Aquila's, it's natural to ask, "Wait a second.

"Wait a second. "Wait a second. Is that intentional? That's different. Is that intentional? That's different. Is that intentional? That's different. That's out of the ordinary." That's out of the ordinary." That's out of the ordinary." And if it is intentional, And if it is intentional, And if it is intentional, what is Luke, who's written Acts, trying what is Luke, who's written Acts, trying what is Luke, who's written Acts, trying to tell us? to tell us? to tell us? Today, we're going to tackle a few Today, we're going to tackle a few Today, we're going to tackle a few questions. Why is Priscilla sometimes questions. Why is Priscilla sometimes questions. Why is Priscilla sometimes named before Aquila? named before Aquila? named before Aquila? How is this a picture of husbands and How is this a picture of husbands and How is this a picture of husbands and wives doing ministry together? wives doing ministry together? wives doing ministry together? And is it possible for the wife to be And is it possible for the wife to be And is it possible for the wife to be gifted in ways that the husband isn't? gifted in ways that the husband isn't? gifted in ways that the husband isn't? Said differently, can husbands and wives Said differently, can husbands and wives Said differently, can husbands and wives have different spiritual gifts? have different spiritual gifts? have different spiritual gifts? Starting with the first question, Starting with the first question, Starting with the first question, why is Priscilla sometimes named before why is Priscilla sometimes named before why is Priscilla sometimes named before Aquila? Aquila? Aquila? This is one of the details readers often This is one of the details readers often This is one of the details readers often notice when exploring these New notice when exploring these New notice when exploring these New Testament passages. Priscilla's name Testament passages. Priscilla's name Testament passages. Priscilla's name appears before her husband's, Aquila. appears before her husband's, Aquila. appears before her husband's, Aquila. Something that would have been unusual Something that would have been unusual Something that would have been unusual in the 1st century. in the 1st century. in the 1st century. But why is this the case? Well, the But why is this the case? Well, the But why is this the case? Well, the truth is, truth is, truth is, Scripture doesn't give us an answer. It Scripture doesn't give us an answer. It Scripture doesn't give us an answer. It never says so. We want to be careful not never says so. We want to be careful not never says so. We want to be careful not to draw conclusions where the text is to draw conclusions where the text is to draw conclusions where the text is silent.

silent. silent. That said, several reasonable That said, several reasonable That said, several reasonable explanations have been suggested. Some explanations have been suggested. Some explanations have been suggested. Some scholars believe Priscilla may have been scholars believe Priscilla may have been scholars believe Priscilla may have been from a higher social class, making it from a higher social class, making it from a higher social class, making it customary to mention her first. customary to mention her first. customary to mention her first. Others suggest that her gifts and Others suggest that her gifts and Others suggest that her gifts and ministry influence were especially well ministry influence were especially well ministry influence were especially well known among the early churches. In fact, known among the early churches. In fact, known among the early churches. In fact, whenever Paul highlights whenever Paul highlights whenever Paul highlights their ministry together, their ministry together, their ministry together, Priscilla is often named first, leading Priscilla is often named first, leading Priscilla is often named first, leading some to think she played a particularly some to think she played a particularly some to think she played a particularly prominent role prominent role prominent role in their shared witness. in their shared witness. in their shared witness. At the same time, At the same time, At the same time, it's important not to overstate the it's important not to overstate the it's important not to overstate the evidence or draw conclusions that simply evidence or draw conclusions that simply evidence or draw conclusions that simply cannot be supported. To be clear, cannot be supported. To be clear, cannot be supported. To be clear, the New Testament never says that the New Testament never says that the New Testament never says that Priscilla led her husband, nor does it Priscilla led her husband, nor does it Priscilla led her husband, nor does it explain that the order of their names explain that the order of their names explain that the order of their names establishes a pattern for church establishes a pattern for church establishes a pattern for church leadership. That is not what's happening leadership. That is not what's happening leadership. That is not what's happening here in Acts. here in Acts. here in Acts. As one commentator puts it, any As one commentator puts it, any As one commentator puts it, any reconstruction of their relationship reconstruction of their relationship reconstruction of their relationship based solely on the order of their names based solely on the order of their names based solely on the order of their names goes beyond what scripture actually goes beyond what scripture actually goes beyond what scripture actually reveals.

reveals. reveals. So, what we can say with confidence is So, what we can say with confidence is So, what we can say with confidence is this. this. this. Priscilla and Aquila consistently appear Priscilla and Aquila consistently appear Priscilla and Aquila consistently appear together. They worked together, traveled together. They worked together, traveled together. They worked together, traveled together, discipled others together, together, discipled others together, together, discipled others together, opened their home together, and even opened their home together, and even opened their home together, and even risked their lives for the sake of the risked their lives for the sake of the risked their lives for the sake of the gospel gospel gospel together. Whatever the reason for the together. Whatever the reason for the together. Whatever the reason for the order of their names, the New Testament order of their names, the New Testament order of their names, the New Testament presents them as one of the Bible's presents them as one of the Bible's presents them as one of the Bible's greatest examples of a husband and a greatest examples of a husband and a greatest examples of a husband and a wife serving Christ side by side. wife serving Christ side by side. wife serving Christ side by side. So, our next question, So, our next question, So, our next question, how is this a picture of a husband and a how is this a picture of a husband and a how is this a picture of a husband and a wife doing ministry together? wife doing ministry together? wife doing ministry together? One of the most striking things about One of the most striking things about One of the most striking things about Priscilla and Aquila is that the New Priscilla and Aquila is that the New Priscilla and Aquila is that the New Testament almost never mentions one Testament almost never mentions one Testament almost never mentions one without the other. without the other. without the other. They worked together as tent makers. They worked together as tent makers. They worked together as tent makers. They traveled with Paul. They opened They traveled with Paul. They opened They traveled with Paul. They opened their home. They discipled Apollos. They their home. They discipled Apollos. They their home. They discipled Apollos. They hosted churches and risked their lives hosted churches and risked their lives hosted churches and risked their lives together. together. together. They're united in both their marriage They're united in both their marriage They're united in both their marriage and their mission.

and their mission. and their mission. Their example reminds us that marriage Their example reminds us that marriage Their example reminds us that marriage isn't just about building a life isn't just about building a life isn't just about building a life together. It's about joining together in together. It's about joining together in together. It's about joining together in God's work. God's work. God's work. Whether through hospitality or Whether through hospitality or Whether through hospitality or discipleship, generosity or using their discipleship, generosity or using their discipleship, generosity or using their everyday jobs to support ministry everyday jobs to support ministry everyday jobs to support ministry efforts, efforts, efforts, Priscilla and Aquila leveraged Priscilla and Aquila leveraged Priscilla and Aquila leveraged everything that they had for the everything that they had for the everything that they had for the kingdom. kingdom. kingdom. They didn't see ministry as something They didn't see ministry as something They didn't see ministry as something that only happened at church on Sundays. that only happened at church on Sundays. that only happened at church on Sundays. Their home, their work, their marriage Their home, their work, their marriage Their home, their work, their marriage all became platforms for gospel all became platforms for gospel all became platforms for gospel ministry, for advancing the gospel. ministry, for advancing the gospel. ministry, for advancing the gospel. So, while every Christian marriage will So, while every Christian marriage will So, while every Christian marriage will look different, the invitation for look different, the invitation for look different, the invitation for married couples is the same. married couples is the same. married couples is the same. How can we use what God has entrusted to How can we use what God has entrusted to How can we use what God has entrusted to us to serve Christ together? us to serve Christ together? us to serve Christ together? For some couples, that may mean opening For some couples, that may mean opening For some couples, that may mean opening their home. For others, it may mean their home. For others, it may mean their home. For others, it may mean serving in the local church together, serving in the local church together, serving in the local church together, discipling younger believers, raising discipling younger believers, raising discipling younger believers, raising children to know the Lord, or using children to know the Lord, or using children to know the Lord, or using their professions to bless others with their professions to bless others with their professions to bless others with the gospel, or even going overseas.

the gospel, or even going overseas. the gospel, or even going overseas. The goal isn't that everyone would have The goal isn't that everyone would have The goal isn't that everyone would have identical roles. It's to have a shared identical roles. It's to have a shared identical roles. It's to have a shared mission. Knowing Jesus personally, and mission. Knowing Jesus personally, and mission. Knowing Jesus personally, and then together, helping others know and then together, helping others know and then together, helping others know and follow him, too. It's discipleship. follow him, too. It's discipleship. follow him, too. It's discipleship. But, moving on to our third question. But, moving on to our third question. But, moving on to our third question. Is it possible for a wife to be gifted Is it possible for a wife to be gifted Is it possible for a wife to be gifted in ways that her husband isn't? in ways that her husband isn't? in ways that her husband isn't? And the answer is absolutely. Scripture And the answer is absolutely. Scripture And the answer is absolutely. Scripture never suggests that husbands and wives never suggests that husbands and wives never suggests that husbands and wives will have identical gifts, or even that will have identical gifts, or even that will have identical gifts, or even that a husband must be the strongest or a husband must be the strongest or a husband must be the strongest or better teacher better teacher better teacher in the marriage, that a husband must be in the marriage, that a husband must be in the marriage, that a husband must be more gifted in teaching. more gifted in teaching. more gifted in teaching. In fact, many scholars believe that In fact, many scholars believe that In fact, many scholars believe that Priscilla may have been especially or Priscilla may have been especially or Priscilla may have been especially or uniquely gifted in explaining scripture, uniquely gifted in explaining scripture, uniquely gifted in explaining scripture, in explaining or teaching God's word. in explaining or teaching God's word. in explaining or teaching God's word. While Acts simply tells us that While Acts simply tells us that While Acts simply tells us that Priscilla and Aquila together instructed Priscilla and Aquila together instructed Priscilla and Aquila together instructed Apollos, the fact that Priscilla's name, Apollos, the fact that Priscilla's name, Apollos, the fact that Priscilla's name, as I was our first question, often as I was our first question, often as I was our first question, often appears first in the ministry settings, appears first in the ministry settings, appears first in the ministry settings, has led some to this conclusion.

has led some to this conclusion. has led some to this conclusion. To suggest that her teaching gifts were To suggest that her teaching gifts were To suggest that her teaching gifts were particularly evident. We can't say that particularly evident. We can't say that particularly evident. We can't say that with certainty, but it's definitely a with certainty, but it's definitely a with certainty, but it's definitely a likely possibility. likely possibility. likely possibility. What is clear though, is that Aquila What is clear though, is that Aquila What is clear though, is that Aquila doesn't seem to have been threatened by doesn't seem to have been threatened by doesn't seem to have been threatened by Priscilla's gifts and Priscilla didn't Priscilla's gifts and Priscilla didn't Priscilla's gifts and Priscilla didn't use her gifts independently of her use her gifts independently of her use her gifts independently of her husband. Instead, they stewarded their husband. Instead, they stewarded their husband. Instead, they stewarded their individual strengths together for the individual strengths together for the individual strengths together for the good of the church. good of the church. good of the church. God doesn't give every husband and every God doesn't give every husband and every God doesn't give every husband and every wife the same gifts. wife the same gifts. wife the same gifts. But he does call them to use whatever But he does call them to use whatever But he does call them to use whatever gifts he's given them to serve one gifts he's given them to serve one gifts he's given them to serve one another and advance the gospel. Again, another and advance the gospel. Again, another and advance the gospel. Again, you guessed it, together. you guessed it, together. you guessed it, together. But at the heart of this discussion is a But at the heart of this discussion is a But at the heart of this discussion is a question of really humility. It's easy question of really humility. It's easy question of really humility. It's easy to compare gifts, keep score, to compare gifts, keep score, to compare gifts, keep score, internally compete with the people God internally compete with the people God internally compete with the people God has called us to serve alongside, even has called us to serve alongside, even has called us to serve alongside, even with your spouse, if you have one. with your spouse, if you have one. with your spouse, if you have one. But scripture reminds us in 1 But scripture reminds us in 1 But scripture reminds us in 1 Corinthians 12:4 that there are Corinthians 12:4 that there are Corinthians 12:4 that there are varieties of gifts, but the same spirit varieties of gifts, but the same spirit varieties of gifts, but the same spirit and to each is given the manifestation and to each is given the manifestation and to each is given the manifestation of the spirit for the common good, 1 of the spirit for the common good, 1 of the spirit for the common good, 1 Corinthians 12:7.

Corinthians 12:7. Corinthians 12:7. Priscilla and Aquila, they seem to have Priscilla and Aquila, they seem to have Priscilla and Aquila, they seem to have understood this well. understood this well. understood this well. They weren't building individual They weren't building individual They weren't building individual platforms, they were building God's platforms, they were building God's platforms, they were building God's kingdom. Being used by God to build his kingdom. Being used by God to build his kingdom. Being used by God to build his kingdom. Whether Priscilla's teaching kingdom. Whether Priscilla's teaching kingdom. Whether Priscilla's teaching gifts were more visible or Aquila's gifts were more visible or Aquila's gifts were more visible or Aquila's leadership was quieter, they leveraged leadership was quieter, they leveraged leadership was quieter, they leveraged their unique strengths together for the their unique strengths together for the their unique strengths together for the sake of Christ, for his mission and unto sake of Christ, for his mission and unto sake of Christ, for his mission and unto his glory. his glory. his glory. Healthy Christian marriages don't ask Healthy Christian marriages don't ask Healthy Christian marriages don't ask whose gifts matter more or whose gifts whose gifts matter more or whose gifts whose gifts matter more or whose gifts are the loudest. They ask, are the loudest. They ask, are the loudest. They ask, "How can we use everything that God has "How can we use everything that God has "How can we use everything that God has entrusted to us entrusted to us entrusted to us to make much of Jesus?" to make much of Jesus?" to make much of Jesus?" As we conclude, take some time to As we conclude, take some time to As we conclude, take some time to reflect. Ask yourself, reflect. Ask yourself, reflect. Ask yourself, where am I tempted to compare my gifts where am I tempted to compare my gifts where am I tempted to compare my gifts with someone else's? with someone else's? with someone else's? Am I using the gifts God has given me to Am I using the gifts God has given me to Am I using the gifts God has given me to serve others or to make much of myself? serve others or to make much of myself? serve others or to make much of myself? If I'm married, how can I better If I'm married, how can I better If I'm married, how can I better celebrate and cultivate my spouse's celebrate and cultivate my spouse's celebrate and cultivate my spouse's gifts this week?

gifts this week? gifts this week? If I'm single or dating and desire If I'm single or dating and desire If I'm single or dating and desire marriage, am I looking for someone who marriage, am I looking for someone who marriage, am I looking for someone who will simply complement my personality will simply complement my personality will simply complement my personality or someone I could joyfully partner with or someone I could joyfully partner with or someone I could joyfully partner with in the mission of making disciples? in the mission of making disciples? in the mission of making disciples? That's all we've got time for today, but That's all we've got time for today, but That's all we've got time for today, but as always, I'm so glad we're all on this as always, I'm so glad we're all on this as always, I'm so glad we're all on this journey [music] abiding in Jesus journey [music] abiding in Jesus journey [music] abiding in Jesus together.