Two Are Better Than One - Aquila

Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my coworkers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches.

Romans 16:3-4

Many men today choose to stay single longer, but study after study shows that married men tend to live longer, healthier, and happier lives than those who remain single.

How’s that for a ringing endorsement of marriage?

There’s another benefit of marriage that was experienced by a Jewish believer named Aquila. Having a spouse encourages a stronger spiritual life and a more effective ministry.

Having a partner in ministry can make the work go more smoothly and efficiently. In New Testament times, preachers and apostles often traveled in pairs. Peter and John, Paul and Barnabas, and Paul and Silas were good traveling teams.

Then there was Aquila and his wife, Priscilla.

The Bible never mentions Aquila without also mentioning Priscilla. These two were united in marriage, and they were partners in ministry.

Aquila and Priscilla first appear in Scripture in Acts 18, which reports that the couple shared their home in Corinth with the apostle Paul. They had been forced to flee Rome due to the Roman emperor Claudius’s decree commanding all Jews to leave the city. They took with them their hearts for service.

Aquila and his wife later traveled with Paul to Ephesus, where they continued their ministry as Paul’s helpers. That help included meeting with an impressive man of God named Apollos to explain the significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection to him more completely.

Aquila made a difference in his place and time in the world. He could work more effectively because he had a wife who was a partner in his ministry.

Aquila’s marriage to Priscilla was a source of strength and encouragement for him and for everyone they met, especially those God had called to preach for Jesus.

Marriage has many benefits, and one of the best is receiving and giving encouragement and strength. When these qualities spill over to others, the blessings multiply.