Aquila
Priscilla’s husband: a tentmaker who worked beside Paul, taught Apollos, and opened his home to the church.
New Testament · 1st century · Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Timothy · Also known as Husband of Priscilla
About Aquila
Aquila was "a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:)." In Corinth Paul lived and worked with them, "for by their occupation they were tentmakers." The couple travelled with Paul to Ephesus, where they took the eloquent Apollos aside "and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." Churches met in their home in Ephesus and later in Rome, and Paul said they had "for my life laid down their own necks." He is never mentioned without his wife.
Aquila has no recorded words, so this guide speaks about him. Pontus was on the southern coast of the Black Sea, in modern Turkey. The Roman historian Suetonius mentions Claudius expelling Jews from Rome, around AD 49.
The story
Born in Pontus
In Corinth Paul "found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:)... And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers."
Acts 18:1-3
Sailed thence into Syria
After a year and a half in Corinth, Paul "sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila," and left them at Ephesus.
Acts 18:18-19
More perfectly
Apollos came to Ephesus, eloquent and fervent but "knowing only the baptism of John." "When Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly."
Acts 18:24-26
The church that is in their house
From Ephesus Paul wrote, "Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house." Later, back in Rome, he greeted them as "my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks."
1 Corinthians 16:19; Romans 16:3-5
Key moments
- Leaves Rome: Under Claudius’ decree. (Acts 18:2)
- Works with Paul: "They were tentmakers." (Acts 18:3)
- Moves to Ephesus: With Paul. (Acts 18:18-19)
- Teaches Apollos: "More perfectly." (Acts 18:26)
- Hosts the church: "The church that is in their house." (1 Corinthians 16:19)
Questions about Aquila
Where did Aquila live?
All over the empire. He was "born in Pontus," lived in Rome until "Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome," then moved to Corinth, then Ephesus with Paul, and later back to Rome, where Paul greeted him in Romans 16. A tentmaker could take his trade anywhere, and Aquila took his faith and his home with it.
Why is Aquila always mentioned with Priscilla?
They served as a team. Every time Aquila appears in the New Testament, Priscilla (or Prisca) is with him, and in several places she is named first. They worked together, taught Apollos together, risked their lives for Paul together, and hosted the church together. Their marriage was a partnership in the gospel.
Did churches really meet in Aquila’s home?
Yes. There were no church buildings yet; believers met in homes. From Ephesus Paul wrote that "Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house," and in Rome he told the believers to "greet the church that is in their house." Wherever they moved, their home became a church.
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with Acts 18:1-3, 18-26; 1 Corinthians 16:19.