Priscilla & Aquila

BY Bailey Gillespie

My friend and I were having one of those classic, two-hour conversations that happens in your car long after the coffee shop closes. Through a series of events, God chose to make us companions and accountability partners during this current stage of life, and because we’re so different, we can usually offer a good counterbalance to whatever headspace the other is in. It goes something like this:

“Don’t believe that narrative. That’s a lie straight from the enemy.”

Tonight, it was me who needed those words. Next week, it could be her. Often it’s both of us, and we end up serving words of truth back and forth like a round of tennis. As I’m sure you’ve experienced, these sorts of pep talks can be an hour-by-hour exchange, as we navigate the way of Jesus together with those around us.

Aquila and Priscilla are one of the Bible’s power couples. When they offer Apollos constructive feedback on how he can explain God “more accurately,” we see what it looks like for believers to hold each other accountable without taking offense (Acts 18:26). Instead of being reactionary and letting his ego get the better of him, Apollos receives their correction and continues arguing his case for the Messiah. Because Aquila and Priscilla were obedient in exercising their gifts, Apollos became even more effective for the kingdom.

It’s such a great story, right? Whether or not his pride was hurt, it doesn’t interfere with the ministry Apollos is leading. His response is a beautiful illustration of Proverbs 10, which says, “The one who follows instruction is on the path to life, but the one who rejects correction goes astray” (v.17).

In Romans, Paul warns us against seeing ourselves as more important than others, because every part of the Body of Christ has a unique role (Romans 12:3–8). Each gift we possess is equally valuable, yet these gifts are also strengthened and nourished by others. When we sharpen and correct, we help each other flourish.

It’s interesting how it wasn’t enough for Apollos simply to be “competent” with Scripture (Acts 18:24). Notice how the text doesn’t say he was teaching inaccurately. Apollos was already familiar with the way of the Lord and was bold in sharing it. But his knowledge was somewhat limited. According to Acts, he “knew only John’s baptism” (v.25), so Aquila and Priscilla believed it was their responsibility to take him aside and fill in the gaps.

Competency is never a stopping point in the kingdom of God because He is always calling us into a deeper relationship with Him and one another. Through the Body of Christ, He partners with us to encourage each other more, teach each other more, and hold each other more accountable. We can count this as an honor. When we are obedient in exercising our spiritual gifts—especially when they stretch us outside of our comfort zones—we are grown and blessed as both the gift-bearer and the recipient.

Where can you speak truth in love? Who can you receive truth from in humility? Whether in the workplace or a car parked outside a coffee shop, there is life waiting for you. There is more.