Who Was Priscilla in the Bible?
Quick Summary
Priscilla was a prominent leader in the early Christian church and a close coworker of the apostle Paul. Along with her husband Aquila, she played a key role in teaching, hosting house churches, and shaping early Christian theology. Priscilla is especially notable for her partnership in ministry and her role in instructing Apollos more fully in the way of Christ.
Introduction
Priscilla appears several times in the New Testament, always in connection with the mission and growth of the early church. Though never described with a formal title, her repeated presence alongside major figures such as Paul and Apollos signals her importance. In several passages, her name appears before her husband’s, suggesting prominence, recognition, or leadership.
Priscilla’s story illustrates how the early church depended on gifted teachers, hospitable households, and trusted partnerships rather than rigid hierarchies.
Priscilla and Aquila
Priscilla is consistently mentioned with her husband Aquila, a Jewish Christian tentmaker. The couple first appears in Acts 18 after being expelled from Rome due to an imperial decree under Claudius. They settle in Corinth, where they meet Paul and become close collaborators.
Their shared trade and shared faith form the basis of a deep partnership. Together, Priscilla and Aquila exemplify ministry as a shared vocation rather than an individual calling.
Coworkers with Paul
Paul refers to Priscilla and Aquila as coworkers in Christ Jesus (Romans 16:3). He credits them with risking their lives for him and notes that many churches are grateful for their work.
This language places Priscilla among Paul’s inner circle of trusted leaders. Her relationship with Paul spans multiple cities and stages of his ministry, indicating long-term influence rather than a brief encounter.
Teaching Apollos
One of Priscilla’s most significant contributions appears in Acts 18:24–26. Along with Aquila, she encounters Apollos, an eloquent and knowledgeable teacher who lacks full understanding of the Christian message.
Priscilla and Aquila take Apollos aside and explain the way of God more accurately. This episode highlights Priscilla’s theological competence and her role as a teacher within the church.
House Churches and Hospitality
Priscilla and Aquila host churches in their homes in multiple locations, including Rome and Ephesus. House churches were central to early Christian life, serving as places of worship, instruction, and community.
By opening her home, Priscilla helps create space for Christian formation and worship. Hospitality becomes a form of leadership and mission.
Priscilla’s Prominence
In several New Testament references, Priscilla’s name appears before Aquila’s. While Scripture does not explain this ordering, it has led many scholars to suggest that she may have been especially prominent as a teacher or leader.
Regardless of the reason, the consistent mention of her name affirms her visibility and importance in early Christian memory.
Historical and Theological Significance
Priscilla’s life challenges assumptions about gender and leadership in the early church. She participates in teaching, mentoring, hospitality, and mission without hesitation or apology.
Her example shows that early Christianity relied on networks of gifted leaders whose authority flowed from service, trust, and faithfulness rather than formal office alone.
Why Priscilla Matters in the Bible
Priscilla matters because she embodies collaborative ministry. Her story demonstrates that theological formation and church leadership were shared responsibilities in the earliest Christian communities.
Through Priscilla, the Bible presents a vision of leadership rooted in partnership, hospitality, and faithful teaching.
Works Consulted
Belleville, Linda L. Women Leaders and the Church. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2000, pp. 137–154.
Keener, Craig S. Acts: An Exegetical Commentary, Volume 3. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2014, pp. 2692–2705.
Witherington III, Ben. Women in the Earliest Churches. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1988, pp. 83–96.
The New Revised Standard Version Bible. National Council of Churches, 1989.
FAQ
Was Priscilla a church leader?
Priscilla is never given a formal title, but Scripture presents her as a teacher, coworker, and host of house churches.
Why is Priscilla sometimes named before Aquila?
The Bible does not explain the ordering, but it may indicate prominence or recognition within the Christian community.
Did Priscilla travel with Paul?
Yes. Priscilla and Aquila traveled with Paul and later continued ministry independently in multiple cities.
What does Priscilla teach us about ministry?
Priscilla’s life shows that ministry in the early church was collaborative, relational, and grounded in hospitality.
