Day 342 – Paul – Journey #2 (Corinth, Ephesus, Antioch)

• Today Paul’s in the city of Corinth as our reading plan hits the second half of Paul’s mammoth second journey. There, we read today that he was introduced to the subjects of today’s readings – Aquila, and his wife Priscilla.
• What was the general reaction of the Jews in this city to the message of Jesus? Did Paul continue to persuade them for a long time, or did he move on?
• In cities where he received persecution, Paul often didn’t hang around, preferring to move on to share the good news to people who engaged with it. What happened in Acts 18:9-11 which encouraged him to stay a long time in Corinth? How long did he stay in the end? This would have been roughly around 49-51 AD, give or take, and it was also during this time he wrote his two letters to the Thessalonians.
• Where did Paul head to next? Get your map out to find out where Ephesus was. Did Paul stay there long?
• While Paul was travelling around the area surrounding Ephesus, a Jew named Apollos came to the city. He was keen to talk about Jesus in the temple, and “spoke accurately” about what he knew, but didn’t have all the information. How did Priscilla and Aquila help him out?
• Priscilla was a woman, and this passage is sometimes used to argue that women should be able to teach in a church setting. If so, this text seemingly contradicts the command for women not to teach elsewhere in the Bible (such as 1 Timothy 2:12). From such verses huge discussions and disagreements have come about – and still to this day – on the topic of female leadership and teaching. It’s worth pointing out, for what it’s worth, that Priscilla and Aquila explained the gospel together, and in a private conversation, perhaps at their house, rather than at the front of an organised assembly. These notes aren’t the place to de-construct all the arguments for allowing women to preach or not, but there two quick points that are worth remembering when considering the topic yourself. Firstly, our primary reasoning should be taken from God’s word, and the interpretation of the scriptures, rather than our own beliefs about what “seems” right or wrong in modern-day culture. Secondly, women, have complete equality before God in dignity, importance, value and worth – even if that doesn’t mean they take leadership roles. This topic might be something you want to chat more about with the person you meet up with, because the teaching at your church may well be different from that at another one.

Priscilla and Aquila seem to be the sort of couple that gave great service in many practical and spiritual ways to their local community. Our second and third passages today shows that they were well liked, were deeply helpful to Paul, and hosted many meetings at their house. When you think of godly couples in your church, who do you think of? If you get married when you’re older, what could you learn from this couple about the way you can work together with your husband or wife to serve people in your church, show hospitality and teach others?