Aquila
A Jewish Christian from Pontus who, alongside his wife Priscilla, became a vital coworker of the Apostle Paul and a leader in the early church.
Aquila was a first-century Jewish Christian who played a foundational role in the expansion of the early church. Originally a native of Pontus, a region on the southern coast of the Black Sea, he eventually migrated to Rome. His life was significantly altered by the decree of Emperor Claudius, which expelled all Jews from the capital city. This forced relocation led him to Corinth, where he met the Apostle Paul. Aquila is almost never mentioned in the New Testament without his wife, Priscilla, indicating a partnership that was both domestic and ministerial.
A skilled tentmaker by trade, Aquila provided a physical and financial base for Paul’s mission in Corinth. Beyond his hospitality, he was a teacher and a mobile missionary, traveling to Ephesus and eventually returning to Rome. His legacy is defined by his commitment to sound doctrine and his willingness to risk his life for the sake of the gospel, serving as a primary example of lay leadership in the apostolic era.
Background and Family
Aquila was a Jew born in the Roman province of Pontus, though by the mid-1st century AD, he had settled in Rome. The biblical record does not provide his genealogy or his specific tribal affiliation, but his Greek name, Akylas (meaning "eagle"), was a common name in the Roman world. His most defining relationship was with his wife, Priscilla (also referred to as Prisca). The couple is uniquely characterized by their constant companionship; in all six mentions within the New Testament, they appear together as a unified team.
Their arrival in Corinth around AD 49 or 50 was the direct result of political upheaval. According to Acts 18:2, they had "recently come from Italy" because Emperor Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. This expulsion, often dated by historians to AD 49, brought the couple into the orbit of the Apostle Paul, who arrived in Corinth shortly after them.
Major Life Events
Meeting Paul in Corinth
Upon his arrival in Corinth, Paul sought out Aquila and Priscilla because they shared the same trade: tentmaking. Because of this commonality, Paul stayed and worked with them. This partnership provided Paul with the means to support his ministry while establishing the Corinthian church. During this period, Aquila was not merely a landlord or employer but became a "fellow worker in Christ Jesus" (Romans 16:3).
The Mission to Ephesus and Apollos
After spending eighteen months in Corinth, Paul sailed for Syria, taking Aquila and Priscilla with him. The couple settled in Ephesus, where they established a house church. It was here that they encountered Apollos, a learned man from Alexandria with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. Although Apollos spoke with great fervor, his understanding was limited to the baptism of John. Acts 18:26 records that when Aquila and Priscilla heard him, "they took him in and explained to him the way of God more accurately." This event highlights Aquila’s role as a teacher and his discernment in theology.
Return to Rome and Later Years
Following the death of Claudius, the edict expelling Jews likely lapsed or was ignored, allowing Aquila and Priscilla to return to Rome. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, written around AD 57, he sends them his primary greetings, noting that they had "risked their lives" for him (Romans 16:3-4). By the end of Paul’s life, however, the couple had returned to Ephesus, as indicated by Paul’s final greetings to them in 2 Timothy 4:19, written during his second Roman imprisonment.
Relationship to Other Biblical Figures
Aquila’s primary relationship was with his wife, Priscilla. Their marriage is often cited as a model of egalitarian ministry in the early church. His relationship with the Apostle Paul was one of deep mutual respect and professional collaboration. Paul acknowledges that not only he, but "all the churches of the Gentiles" were grateful to Aquila and Priscilla for their service and sacrifice.
Additionally, Aquila’s mentorship of Apollos was a pivotal moment in the development of the early church's leadership. By correcting and refining the theology of a powerful orator like Apollos, Aquila ensured that the message being spread in Achaia was complete and accurate.
Spiritual Significance
Aquila represents the essential role of the "tentmaker" missionary—a layperson who uses their professional skills to support the gospel and open their home as a sanctuary for the church. The "church that meets at their house" (1 Corinthians 16:19) suggests that Aquila viewed his property and his trade as tools for the kingdom of God.
His life also reflects the resilience of the early Christians in the face of Roman persecution and displacement. Despite being forced from his home in Rome, Aquila used his exile as an opportunity to plant seeds in Corinth and Ephesus. Theologically, his willingness to host and teach demonstrates that the responsibility for the "accurate" explanation of the Way of God rested not just with the apostles, but with every believer committed to the truth.
Spiritual Significance
Aquila is biblically significant as a primary example of the mobility and hospitality that characterized the apostolic church. His life demonstrates how the early Christian movement bypassed national and geographic boundaries, moving from Pontus to Rome, to Corinth, to Ephesus, and back again. He exemplifies the synthesis of work and ministry, showing that professional labor (tentmaking) was not a distraction from the gospel but a vehicle for it.
Furthermore, Aquila’s role in the instruction of Apollos underscores the importance of doctrinal precision in the early church. Along with Priscilla, he served as a bridge between the foundational teaching of Paul and the next generation of Christian orators. His inclusion in Paul's greetings across multiple epistles confirms his status as a pillar of the first-century Christian community, honored for his courage and his sacrificial service to the Gentile mission.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Aquila's occupation?
Aquila was a tentmaker, a trade he shared with the Apostle Paul.
Where was Aquila originally from?
He was a native of Pontus, a region located in modern-day Turkey.
Why did Aquila and Priscilla leave Rome?
They were forced to leave because Emperor Claudius had issued a decree ordering all Jews to depart from Rome.
Did Aquila have a church in his home?
Yes, Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 16:19 that a church met at the house of Aquila and Priscilla.
How did Aquila help Apollos?
Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately, as he previously only knew about the baptism of John.
Connected Figures
Priscilla
Wife and ministry partner
Paul the Apostle
Close friend and coworker in the gospel
Apollos
Student/Protege whom he instructed
Claudius
Roman Emperor who expelled him from Rome