Titus 2 Men And Women

Priscilla
By Teddi Neevel

Scripture: Acts 18, Titus 2:5 “Obedient to their own husband.”

Background: Aquila was a native of Pontus from the area of Asia Minor around the Black Sea. They were Jewish tentmakers, who left Rome in the Jewish persecution under Claudius, 49 or 50, travelling by way of Italy and settled in Corinth. The time of their conversion to the Christianity is not known.

When Paul first came to Corinth he stayed in their home, as being of their trade. Acts 18:1-3 “After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth; And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.”

Probably all of us have had company at one time or another. Many of us have had houseguests that stayed a few days but I want you to really consider the life Priscilla lived. She and her husband were tradesmen and probably did not have hired help. Without help, Priscilla was responsible for the up-keep of their home, which may have been a tent. She hauled the water, did the shopping, cooking and cleaning as well as working at her husband’s side. Tents would have been constructed of fabric or hide and wooden poles. They did not have power tools, chain saws or Singer sewing machines. They may have had to shear animals, spin yarn and weave fabric. All of the tent pieces were cut and stitched by hand. Because there is no mention of children it is possible that Priscilla was barren. I’m sure there were times of illness and fatigue but Priscilla pictures a stedfast faithfulness to her husband, her faith and most importantly to God.

Now let’s look at the other things Priscilla accomplished while serving at her husbands side.

• Aquila and Priscilla accompanied St. Paul to Ephesus. Acts 18:18-19 “And Paul [after this] tarried [there] yet a good while, and then took his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn [his] head in Cenchrea: for he had a vow. And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews.”
• They instructed the Alexandrian Apollo. Acts 18:24-26 “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, [and] mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto [them], and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”
• They entertained the Apostle Paul at Ephesus for three years, during his third missionary journey.
• They kept a Christian church in their house. I Corinthians 16:19 “The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.”? They left Ephesus for Rome, probably after the riot stirred up by the silversmith Demetrius (Acts 19:24-40).
• They also kept a church in their home in Rome. Romans 16:3-5 “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. Likewise [greet] the church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.”
• They soon left Rome, probably on account of the persecution of Nero, and settled again at Ephesus. “II Tim. 4:l9 “Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.”

Sometimes the need to be obedient is annoying. We can become frustrated and irritated if not down right angry because of the little things our husbands ask or demand of us. However, it is important for us to realize that God has appointed a time and a place for each of us to minister for Him. That ministry always begins in our own home to our own husband.

Let me share with you a timeline that happened in my life this week.

On Monday, Fred had to go to the eye doctor’s to pick out frames for glasses. I did not want to go to town but I did as he asked. Then he didn’t listen to me and buy the frames I liked best.

Next we stopped to talk to our friend, Edie for a few minutes. My thought was “Doesn’t he know I have other things to do today?”

Then we had to stop to have the truck checked. My mind was telling me I was wasting time that could be used much more productively than sitting waiting for a mechanic.

As Fred got back into the truck he had sudden severe chest pain. He didn’t want me to drive but went on to another errand.

I suggested he might want to go to the ER since his pain had not subsided with a nitro tablet.

I got him checked in at the ER and called Pastor.

After running several tests and calling Fred’s cardiologist, Fred left in an ambulance to the hospital in Batesville while I came home to send an email to our family, grab a change of clothes and my medicines and then I drove to Batesville to stay with Fred at the hospital.

On Tuesday, Fred had a heart catherization that showed he had an 80% blockage in a coronary artery.

On Wednesday, Fred underwent angioplasty and had a stent placed in his heart.

On Thursday, Fred was discharged and we came home. During the time at the hospital we had opportunity to share our faith with several people.

Satan told me I should stay home with Fred but Fred encouraged me to attend the Beth Moore conference in Little Rock. In the midst of 17,700 people I saw one woman I recognized…she had been Fred’s nurse 12 hours a day while he was in the hospital. I made a point of moving to stand near where she was sitting so I could speak to her when she came back from intermission. I spoke to her, told her about the ministry God has given me through Titus 2, and gave her a business card for the web site.

I have no idea where that business card will lead but I was in the right place at the right time all week long because I chose to be obedient to my husband when I really had other things I would have preferred to do. My plans went by the wayside. I have projects I didn’t get done but God had a purpose to upset my schedule. Because we have one vehicle and live 14 miles out in the country, I’m very thankful I went to town with Fred on Monday. That decision to be obedient may have saved my husband’s life because he probably would not have gone to the ER if I hadn’t been with him when he developed chest pain.

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