AQUILA and PRISCILLA (PRISCA). — Jewish-Christian spouses, “co-workers” of St. Paolo (Rom. 16:3). Coming from Rome following the decree of Claudius (A.D. 49–50), which expelled the Jews (Act. 18:2 ff.; Suetonius, Claudius, 25), they met the Apostle for the first time at Corinth in A.D. 51. A. was originally from Pontus, where Jewish colonies were numerous. P. was perhaps born in Rome, where that name was widespread. P. is usually named before A., perhaps because she was more distinguished or more active in works of charity.
They had probably become Christians before leaving Rome.
Like Paolo, they were tentmakers; at Corinth they practiced this trade, having Christian workers in their employ. Paolo stayed with them, practicing the trade by which he procured his food without being a burden to anyone (Act. 18:1–3), but he left their house to stay with Justus when, wishing to give the Jews the answer their criminal conduct deserved, he abandoned them and turned to the Gentiles. From the Acts and the letters of St. Paolo, A. and P.’s zeal for the Gospel stands out. When Paolo went to
Ephesus, they followed him. After the Apostle departed for Jerusalem, they won the preacher Apollo to Christianity (Act. 18:19, 26).
They appear again in Rome (Rom. 16:3), and then in Ephesus (II Tim. 4:19). They moved, perhaps for reasons of trade, from one center to another, taking with them their own workers who were already Christians, or gathering others whom they converted to the faith, since Paolo mentions, both in Rome and in Ephesus, “the church in their house” (I Cor. 16:19; Rom. 16:4). At the risk of their lives they saved St. Paolo from death, probably in Ephesus (Rom. 16:4; Act. 19:23 ff.).
In the letters of St. Paolo we find an affectionate remembrance and praise of them (Rom.
16, 3–5; II Tim. 4, 19; I Cor. 16, 19).
(propr. Enc. Catt.)