My Fellow Workers

Romans 16:3–4: Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.

“Priscilla and Aquila” were a Jewish couple. How had Paul met them, and in what way were they his helpers? Well, there had been a wave of anti–Semitism that had swept over the city of Rome, and Priscilla and Aquila had had to leave. They came to the city of Corinth while Paul was there and set up shop. Corinth was a good commercial center, and Paul was also plying his trade there. Since they were all tentmakers, this drew them together (see Acts 18:1–3), and Paul led them to the Lord. Then they were with Paul at Ephesus. Perhaps they had gone over there to open up a branch store. In Acts 18:26, we find that they were able to be helpful to Apollos: “And he [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” Notice that when we first meet them it is “Aquila and Priscilla.” Now here in Romans it is Priscilla and Aquila. Why are the names reversed? Here is a case when the woman became dominant in spiritual matters, although they were both outstanding workers for Christ. ¹

Application

• Who do you enjoy serving the Lord together with? Can you do it more often?
• When was the last time you “took a risk” in communicating the greatest of God to someone else?

Prayer

Lord, make me a fellow worker who serves others, no matter what the cost.