Today we take a look at Priscilla, one of three women we need to pause to consider when it comes to our series about women in ministry. What we discover is a woman who had significant influence and ministry in the earliest Christian movement.
How often have you heard about Priscilla? Does her “role” provide a “role model” for women in your church? Can women do in your church what she did in the early churches in Rome, Corinth, and Ephesus?
Second, I offer a brief sketch of her Life: From Rome (Italy; Acts 18:2), kicked out of Rome by Claudius (49 AD) over the “Chrestus” affair, and relocated to Corinth where they met Paul and worked with him (18:3). They traveled with Paul to Ephesus and there they met and instructed Apollos (18:24-26); mentioned in Paul’s letter back to Corinth (1 Cor 16:19). They returned to Rome (54 AD order rescinded) where they established a household/church (Rom 16:3-5). Later back in Ephesus (cf. 2 Tim 4:19)?
Third, we need to consider this: Priscilla is sometimes “first“. Notice these refs: Acts 18:18, 19, 26; Rom 16:3; 2 Tim 4:19; but cf. 1 Cor 16:19. Most would argue that she had a more defined leadership role indicated in this name order.
Fourth, Paul says she is his Co-worker : Who are the other co-workers? Urbanus and Timothy: Rom 16:19, 21; Apollos: 1 Cor 3:9; Titus: 2 Cor 8:23; Epaphroditus: Phil 2:25; Euodia, Syntyche, Clement: Phil 4:2-3; Timothy: 1 Thess 3:2; Philemon: Phm 1; Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke: Phm 24
Fifth, Priscilla (with Aquilla) is Courageous: “they risked their lives for me: (Rom 16:4) probably by being a patron for Paul and the gospel.
Sixth, consider that she is clearly Theologically trained and gifted for teaching: Acts 18:26: “more accurately” that is, with greater Christian clarity. This led Apollos being a mighty preacher himself (18:27-28). Observe: Priscilla is mentioned first in this instruction.
What were they? I suggest seventh that they were a missional couple? Or, an ecclesial couple? She’s like Mary and not like Martha she¹s in the front room for the conversation and
instruction.
Now a little provocative theory some propose: Did Priscilla write Hebrews? (I doubt it.)
1. Roman origins: Heb 13:7, 17, 24
2. Priscilla is Roman, tradition has it that she was from a noble family, she was intelligent, and she was a messianic teacher.
3. Baptism of Acts 18 and Heb 6:1-3.
4. Feminine themes: parent-child relationships, education, women as models (11:11, 31, 35).
5. Dropping of name from letter indicates “no need to stir things up” by saying a woman wrote it?
6. Connected both to Paul and Timothy.