Read: Romans 16:3-4; Acts 18:1-4
. . . who risked their necks for my life. (Rom. 16:4)
In one of the churches I served, the story is still told about a young man who, at considerable risk to his own life, rescued the Dutch pulpit Bible from the sanctuary during the Holland Fire of 1873. The Bible is all that remains from the original church.
Prisca (Priscilla) and Aquila exercised a similar risk of faith in their relationship with Paul. He never forgot this couple whom he said “risked their necks for my life” (Rom. 16:4). We should celebrate this married couple, not only for their heroism, but also for their daily service in the Christian faith. Priscilla is usually listed in front of her husband, perhaps because she exercised leadership in several places. Earliest Christianity in Rome was predominantly Jewish; perhaps the gospel came to Rome as a result of Pentecost (see Acts 2:10). Due to religious disturbances in Rome between believers in Jesus and Jews who rejected the Messiah, Emperor Claudius expelled Jews from Rome in AD 49. This led Priscilla and Aquila to come into close contact with Paul at Corinth. Their business led them to Ephesus where they “more accurately” explained to Apollos the way of Christ (Acts 18:24-26). And when Paul wrote Romans, Priscilla and Aquila had returned to Rome and headed up one of the Jewish house churches of Rome. Within a Jewish community, they practiced hospitality to Gentiles (Rom. 16:4).
We may have opportunities for great acts of faith, but it is daily Christian service that we should embrace.
As you pray, pray for God’s guidance in both big and daily acts of faith.
Kent Fry is a retired pastor and visiting research fellow at the Van Raalte Institute in Holland, Michigan. He and his wife, Joyce, are active members of Second Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan. Kent is an active cyclist, and he and Joyce enjoy time with their children and grandchildren.
