After these things Paul departed from Athens and went to Corinth. And he found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla (because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome); and he came to them. So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. Acts 18:1-3

Once in Corinth, Paul met Aquila and Priscilla. These two are usually identified as Priscilla and Aquila, rather than as Aquila and Priscilla. Why? Isn’t it customary to put the husband’s name before the wife’s? No. In families, when speaking about a sibling and his or her spouse, it is very common to name the sibling first, then the spouse without respect to gender.

Additionally, whichever is more well known, or who seems more prominent is frequently named first. Don’t we most often refer to Jesus’s parents as Mary and Joseph? Yet when the people questioned Jesus’s authority, didn’t they say “Isn’t He the son of Joseph and Mary?” In their eyes, not understanding the importance of the virgin birth, Joseph was more important.

So what about Priscilla and Aquila? Some speculate that Priscilla may have been from a more prominent family, but we really do not know for certain.

What is of more importance was the relationship this husband and wife duo had with Paul. They were devoted disciples who became partners with Paul, not only in ministry, but in the tentmaking industry. Paul was trained in tentmaking. In that day, even intellectuals and religious leaders were trained in some sort of trade. Not a bad idea since one never knows when one must rely on one’s trade for one’s livelihood.

Paul supported himself in the ministry by making tents when necessary, and so that he would not be a financial burden on the Church.

Two takeaways: (1) It is wise for those in the ministry to have some ability to earn an income in case the Church cannot support them. (2) It is desirable, however, that the Church support it’s ministers and missionaries so they can give themselves more fully to the ministry.