Aquila
Aquila was a Jewish Christian and tentmaker from Pontus who, with his wife Priscilla, became a close companion of the Apostle Paul. They hosted churches in their home and helped instruct Apollos in Ephesus. Their ministry supported the spread of the early church across Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome.
Biography
- Occupation
- tentmaker
- Spouse
- Priscilla
- Era
- New Testament
- Nationality
- Jewish
Family
Did You Know?
Aquila and Priscilla were forced to leave Rome after Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from the city around 49 AD, an event that directly led to their meeting Paul in Corinth as described in Acts 18:2.
In four of the six New Testament references to the couple, Priscilla's name precedes Aquila's, an inversion of typical ancient naming order that hints at her leading role in their shared ministry.
Paul credits Aquila and Priscilla with risking their own lives to protect him, a detail noted in Romans 16:3-4 that underscores their personal sacrifice beyond ordinary hospitality.
While based in Ephesus, the couple privately corrected and further instructed the already eloquent preacher Apollos in the way of God more accurately, an act recorded in Acts 18:26 that shows lay believers shaping early Christian doctrine.
As fellow tentmakers, Aquila and Priscilla maintained portable livelihoods that enabled them to host house churches successively in Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome, illustrating how first-century Christian mission relied on mobile trades rather than fixed institutions.
Key Passages
Paul meets Aquila and Priscilla
Acts 18:2-3
Aquila and Priscilla hosted Paul in Corinth and shared his trade as tentmakers.
2nd 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 came unto them.
Instructing Apollos
Acts 18:26
Aquila and Priscilla explained the way of God more accurately to Apollos.
26nd he 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.
Paul's greeting in Romans
Romans 16:3-4
Paul commends Aquila and Priscilla for risking their lives for him.
3reet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:
Greeting in Corinth
1 Corinthians 16:19
Aquila and Priscilla send greetings and host a church in their home.
19he churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.