Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.
Romans 16:3-4
It’s risky business to labor in the spread of the gospel and make disciples in a world that is hostile to Christian redemption. Romans 16 is a “who’s who of thank yous” to men and women who labored at the building up of the church in Rome with significant effort. Even though Paul had not even met some of them, they were known by reputation and he applauded their service. Among them were Prisca (Priscilla elsewhere in the New Testament) and Aquila, mentioned several times in the book of Acts as a pioneering, church-planting, disciple-making, leadership-generating, power couple.
Paul says of them that they risked their necks for his life. They put themselves in danger for his sake. He was grateful for their “fellow worker” contributions to the spread of the gospel in his ministry. He was thankful for their commitment, sacrifice, and willing service. Their impact was felt in “all the churches of the Gentiles.”
Risky ministry makes an impact. Prisca and Aquila are proof of it. We know it from church history in the Book of Acts and by their commendations in the epistles. One Christian couple made ripples across the Roman Empire all the way to its center along with Paul. Simple, sold-out, committed, and radical kingdom priorities continue to globally impact our world today!
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