Aquila

AI summary: Aquila matters because the cross references present him as a practical and doctrinal collaborator whose work strengthens the early Christian mission across several cities. He shares trade and hospitality with Paul, helps instruct Apollos more accurately, and repeatedly opens his household for church life. His ministry is never flashy, but it is durable, relational, and formative. Taken together, the material presents Aquila as a model coworker whose ordinary labor and faithful partnership help sustain the spread of the gospel.¹

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. ³