“After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.” – Acts 18:1-4
Few people have done more work to grow the church than the Apostle Paul. Paul started at least 20 churches on his journeys. Countless more faith communities were started because missionaries from the churches Paul started continued to travel and preach. In addition to starting so many churches, Paul was a writer and teacher. He is responsible for writing or inspiring almost half of the New Testament. Through Paul’s ministry, the church grew and flourished.
Much gratitude is owed to Paul for his passionate commitment to God’s kingdom. His hard work helped to make the church that we are part of today. However, Paul did not work alone. In each destination, Paul made friends who became partners in the ministry. Two such friends were Aquila and Priscilla. Like Paul, they were Jews who were Roman citizens. They were pushed from their home in Rome and made a new life in Corinth. Corinth was a large city, a political and economic hub. When Paul arrived in Corinth, he found the local synagogue. It is most likely that this is where he would have met his new friends.
It was not long into his stay in Corinth that Paul would stay at the home of Priscilla and Aquila. It would be from this home that he would work to establish the church in Corinth. It was a partnership and a friendship that would truly bless the world. In the book of Romans, Paul would write that Priscilla and Aquila were, “Co-workers in Christ Jesus.” After meeting in Corinth, they would teach, travel, and become leaders in the church alongside the Apostle Paul.
The ministry of Paul, Aquila and Priscilla started with a friendship and hospitality. Priscilla and Aquila opened their home to the traveling preacher and helped to take the good news of Jesus back to Rome and beyond. This relationship is an example to each of us that the work of ministry begins with neighbors. Kindness shared between strangers, hospitality to a new friend, and eventually a relationship that would bless so many. The church is strengthened when we care for each other and treat our neighbors with hospitality and kindness.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
