Priscilla
A tentmaker who, with her husband, risked her life for Paul and taught a famous preacher.
New Testament · 1st century · Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Timothy · Also known as Prisca, Wife of Aquila
About Priscilla
Priscilla and her husband Aquila were Jewish believers who had left Rome when Emperor Claudius expelled the Jews. In Corinth Paul stayed and worked with them, "for by their occupation they were tentmakers." They travelled with him to Ephesus. When the eloquent preacher Apollos arrived knowing only John’s baptism, "they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." Paul later greeted them as "my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks," and a church met in their house.
Priscilla has no recorded words, so this guide speaks about her. She is often named before her husband, which may suggest she was the more prominent of the two. Paul calls her Prisca in his letters.
The story
Tentmakers
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
More perfectly
In Ephesus, Apollos, "an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures," spoke boldly about Jesus but knew "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." He went on to help the believers greatly.
Acts 18:24-28
Laid down their own necks
Paul wrote to Rome, "Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise greet the church that is in their house."
Romans 16:3-5
Key moments
- Leaves Rome: Under Claudius’s decree. (Acts 18:2)
- Works with Paul: As tentmakers. (Acts 18:3)
- Travels to Ephesus: With Paul. (Acts 18:18-19)
- Teaches Apollos: "More perfectly." (Acts 18:26)
- Risks her life for Paul: "Laid down their own necks." (Romans 16:4)
Questions about Priscilla
Why is Priscilla often named before her husband?
Of the six times the couple is mentioned, Priscilla (or Prisca) comes first three times in the King James Version, and four in most modern translations, which follow older manuscripts at Acts 18:26. Either way, that was unusual for the time. Scripture doesn’t explain it; many suggest she was the more prominent in ministry or social standing.
How did Priscilla help Apollos?
Apollos was "an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures," but knew "only the baptism of John." Priscilla and Aquila "took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." They did it privately and graciously, and Apollos went on to help greatly: he "helped them much which had believed through grace."
How did Priscilla risk her life for Paul?
Paul says they "have for my life laid down their own necks," a phrase for risking execution. He doesn’t say when. Many connect it with the danger and riots Paul faced in Corinth or Ephesus, but Scripture leaves the details unrecorded.
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with Acts 18:1-3, 18-26; Romans 16:3-5.