Sacrificial Service
At the end of Paul's letter to the Romans we discover this reference to P. and A.
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their own necks for my life. Not only I, but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Also greet the church in their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.
Romans 16:3-5 NET
Notice that Paul describes them as fellow workers. Paul could rely on them. They were not seeking their own interests first. Again they had learned from Paul to imitate Jesus in this regard. Here is what Paul says in his letter to the Philippians
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. [Philippian 2:3-4 NIV]
Priscilla and Aquila shared with Paul in the good times and the bad times.
Paul has shortened Priscilla's name to Prisca. That shows that he knows her well. Maybe this is how Aquila addressed his wife. The writer of the Acts calls her by her full name but Paul knows her well enough to call her by her pet name - Prisca. Why not Cilla?
We learn a very important fact about P and A. They risked their lives for the apostle Paul. We are not provided with the details and it is a bit frustrating. What exactly did they do to help their friend? Paul's letter to the Romans adds that the Gentile churches are grateful to them too. We might learn more about this in heaven.
There is a passage in 1 Corinthians 1:8-10 which might give us a clue. It describes a situation which Paul experienced in Asia and we know that P. and A were there after they left Corinth. Here are the details that Paul describes
He refers to the troubles they experienced in the province of Asia.
He speaks about being under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure,
He admits that he despaired of life itself.
He says that it was as if he had received a death sentence
This might have been when Priscilla and Aquila risked their life to save Paul They were prepared to do this. They were completely unselfish.
There is a lesson for us today - they are showing Christian love in action.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13 NIV
This is agape love - a love that is unique to Christianity
This love does not rise from feelings and it goes against our natural inclinations. In other words, Christians should not just love the folk who are easy to love.
We don't just love the ones who are naturally close to us or share the same interests or opinions as us.
This love has no limits - we love all regardless of whether they love us in return.
It is a constant type of love - because this is the way God loves us. It does not increase or decrease from day to day depending on our feelings or how we are being treated. A Christian Church should be a place where this sort of love is demonstrated in action.
It may be that P and A are defending Paul against the Jewish fanatics who were violently opposed to Christianity. But we do not know. Will we make a sacrifice because of our friendship and love for our fellow Christians? Will we be prepared to suffer with them and take on their burdens? Paul's letter to the Galatians advises us to 'bear one another's burdens.' Some of our friends are bearing a heavy burden - are we prepared to lend a hand or do we want to preserve ourselves?
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