Priscilla: The Teaching Witness

Season 7, Episode 12:

Priscilla – The Teaching Witness

Welcome, truth-seekers, to our final, yet incredibly impactful, episode of Season 7 of the "Witness Series," I'm your host, Fr. Veigas Dominic SVD, and today, we conclude our journey through the lives of Old and New Testament women by meeting a dynamic and influential figure who, alongside her husband, was a pivotal partner in early Christian ministry.

In this twelfth and final episode of Season 7, we discuss Priscilla, "The Teaching Witness." Always mentioned alongside her husband Aquila, Priscilla was a formidable presence in the early church – a tentmaker, a teacher, a hospitable host, and a courageous co-worker in the Gospel. Her story is a powerful reminder that ministry is a partnership, that theological depth is for all believers, and that radical dedication can significantly advance God's Kingdom.

Priscilla’s life resonates with us today because it speaks to the power of shared mission, the importance of equipping fellow believers, and the courage to serve God wherever He leads. Her witness reminds us that true discipleship involves both learning and teaching, receiving and giving, and that our most significant impact often comes in collaboration with others.

Today, we’ll unpack Priscilla’s life, her powerful message as a teaching and ministry partner, and how her example can inspire our commitment to lifelong learning, collaborative service, and courageous devotion. Let’s get started.

Who was Priscilla?

Imagine a bustling city like Corinth or Ephesus in the first century. Paul, the great Apostle, arrives, and he’s looking for work. He finds lodging and a shared trade with a Jewish couple, Aquila and Priscilla, who were also tentmakers. This couple had recently been forced to leave Rome due to Emperor Claudius’s decree expelling Jews.

Acts 18:2-3 introduces them: "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."

What’s remarkable is that Priscilla is often mentioned first, or sometimes exclusively, before her husband Aquila in the biblical accounts (like in Acts 18:18, 26; Romans 16:3). This unusual ordering in a patriarchal society suggests she was a woman of significant standing, possibly more prominent in ministry, or perhaps the more vocal and active of the two.

Their home became a hub for Christian gatherings and teaching. They traveled with Paul, and later, independently, supporting the nascent Christian communities. Paul even mentions that they "risked their lives" for him, suggesting incredible courage and loyalty. Romans 16:3-4 says: "Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them."