Jewish Christian tentmaker, co-worker with Paul
Aquila
Named in 6 verses across 4 books, first in Acts 18:2.
ἈκύλαςAquila
The name means “an eagle.” Hitchcock's Bible Names, 1869
- Married to
- Priscilla
About Aquila Written by AI
Aquila was a Jewish Christian from Pontus who, along with his wife Priscilla, played a significant role in the early church. He is first mentioned in the book of Acts as a tentmaker who had recently come to Corinth from Italy due to the emperor Claudius' decree expelling all Jews from Rome. Paul, also a tentmaker, stayed and worked with Aquila and Priscilla during his time in Corinth. When Paul left Corinth, Aquila and Priscilla accompanied him to Ephesus. There, they met Apollos, an eloquent Jewish Christian from Alexandria who knew only the baptism of John. Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately, enabling him to continue his effective ministry. In Paul's letter to the Romans, he sends greetings to Aquila and Priscilla, commending them as his co-workers in Christ Jesus who risked their lives for him. Paul also mentions that the church met in their house, indicating their significant role in hosting and supporting the local Christian community. Aquila and Priscilla are mentioned again in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, where he sends greetings from them and the church that meets at their house. Finally, in Paul's second letter to Timothy, he asks Timothy to greet Aquila and Priscilla, demonstrating their ongoing involvement in the ministry and their close relationship with Paul and his associates.
Drafted by an AI model for STEPBible's TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Check it against the verses below.
Easton's Bible Dictionary, 1897
Eagle, a native of Pontus, by occupation a tent-maker, whom Paul met on his first visit to Corinth (Acts 18:2). Along with his wife Priscilla he had fled from Rome in consequence of a decree (A.D. 50) by Claudius commanding all Jews to leave the city. Paul sojourned with him at Corinth, and they wrought together at their common trade, making Cilician hair-cloth for tents. On Paul’s departure from Corinth after eighteen months, Aquila and his wife accompanied him to Ephesus, where they remained, while he proceeded to Syria (Acts 18:18, 26). When they became Christians we are not informed, but in Ephesus they were (1 Cor. 16:19) Paul’s “helpers in Christ Jesus.” We find them afterwards at Rome (Rom. 16:3), interesting themselves still in the cause of Christ. They are referred to some years after this as being at Ephesus (2 Tim. 4:19). This is the last notice we have of them.
M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary, third edition (1897), public domain, from CrossWire. Shown as written; its Scripture quotes are from older translations.
Where the Bible names him
- Acts 18:2
There he found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla because Claudius had ordered all the Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to visit them,
- Acts 18:18
Paul remained in Corinth for quite some time before saying goodbye to the brothers. He had his head shaved in Cenchrea to keep a vow he had made, and then he sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila.
- Acts 18:26
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
- Romans 16:3
Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,
- 1 Corinthians 16:19
The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.
- 2 Timothy 4:19
Greet Prisca and Aquila, as well as the household of Onesiphorus.
From STEPBible's TIPNR, Tyndale House Cambridge (CC BY 4.0): names, family, references and the AI written article. Verse text is the BSB.