Bible Character Explorer
Early Church • 1st century AD
Aquila
Tentmaker & TeacherA Jewish tentmaker who, with his wife Priscilla, partnered with Paul in ministry and risked his life for the Gospel.
"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."
Romans 16:3-4 (KJV)
Overview
Aquila was a Jew of Pontus who, along with his wife Priscilla, had been living in Rome until Emperor Claudius expelled all Jews from the city, forcing the couple to relocate to Corinth. There Paul met them and, sharing the trade of tentmaking, lived and worked alongside them during his eighteen-month ministry in the city. When Paul left Corinth for Ephesus, Aquila and Priscilla went with him and remained there, where together they took aside the eloquent but incompletely taught preacher Apollos and 'expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.' The couple later returned to Rome, hosting a church in their house, and Paul's letter to the Romans commends them as fellow workers who had risked their own lives for his sake. Their consistent partnership in ministry, always named together in Scripture, models a marriage fully devoted to serving the Gospel.
Gospel Connection
Aquila's life shows the Gospel advancing through ordinary means, a shared trade, an open home, and a teachable spirit toward another believer, illustrating that every believer's daily life and relationships can become instruments through which Christ's Church is built and strengthened.
Discover More
See how this life points to Christ in the Gospel Connection section above.