Acts 18:1-4, 18-28
After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. 2 There he met a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had ordered all Jews to leave Rome. Paul went to see them, 3 and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. 4 Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.
18 Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sisters and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchreae because of a vow he had taken. 19 They arrived at Ephesus, where Paul left Priscilla and Aquila. He himself went into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they asked him to spend more time with them, he declined. 21 But as he left, he promised, “I will come back if it is God’s will.” Then he set sail from Ephesus. 22 When he landed at Caesarea, he went up to Jerusalem and greeted the church and then went down to Antioch.
23 After spending some time in Antioch, Paul set out from there and traveled from place to place throughout the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples.
24 Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
27 When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. 28 For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
Fellow travelers
The journey of a Jesus-follower is deeply enriched by the friendship, support, and input of others who follow Jesus. So many times in my life God has spoken to me and redirected me through fellow travelers. Some of these friends have lasted a lifetime and others have come and gone, but their influence in my life remains. During the isolation of the pandemic, I recognized the significance of these friendships even more deeply. The 19th century poet Emily Dickinson writes, "My friends, are my estate." 1
In Acts 18, Paul is traveling through Achaia, a province in Greece, and moves from Athens to the larger city of Corinth. Here, he meets Aquila and Priscilla, a couple who has recently arrived from Italy due to Emperor Claudius's edict expelling all Jews from Rome. Sharing a common trade—tentmaking—Paul, Aquila, and Priscilla form a close friendship and become co-workers in ministry. They settle in Corinth together, working side-by side for a year and a half. When they part, their friendship continues, and the couple not only continue to support Paul but also risk their lives for him (Romans 16:3–4).
It’s uncertain whether Aquila and Priscilla were already followers of Jesus when they first met Paul. However, by the time they leave Corinth with him, they are clearly devoted and knowledgeable, trusted enough by Paul to be left in Ephesus to continue the ministry. They likely went on to become key church leaders in Ephesus.
Around the same time, Apollos, a Jewish man from Alexandria, arrives in Ephesus. Alexandria was not only home to a well-established Jewish community but also a center of education and philosophy, and Apollos was clearly educated and eloquent. He seems to already be following Jesus, as he was “instructed in the way of the Lord” and “taught about Jesus accurately.” Yet something is still missing—his understanding of the good news is incomplete. This isn’t surprising, given that, at this time, “the way of God” was spreading largely by word of mouth, and the New Testament had not yet been written.
After hearing him preach in the synagogue, Priscilla and Aquila invite Apollos to their home to provide the instruction he was lacking. This word “instruction” is also used in reference to Peter in Acts 11:4 and Paul in Acts 28:23 as they instructed others in the way of Jesus. Interestingly, Priscilla’s name is listed here first—an unusual ordering, as the husband is typically listed first. Perhaps Priscilla took a primary role in teaching Apollos.2
Kindly, Priscilla and Aquila choose to meet with Apollos privately, sparing him public correction or behind-the-scenes criticism. Taking a risk, they offer Apollos both hospitality and correction. Even with this respectful approach, one can imagine how humbling it might have been for Apollos to be corrected. We don’t know if Priscilla and Aquila were formally trained or particularly eloquent, but they had spent considerable time with the knowledgeable Paul!
The couple’s investment is rewarded by Apollos’ open, receptive response. Apollos goes on to become a respected leader in the church at Corinth, building upon what he learned from Priscilla and Aquila.
This story in Acts resonates with my experience of growing and developing in my faith. I feel immense gratitude for those who have taught, corrected, and modeled Jesus to me. I'm also deeply thankful for ministry partners, including my husband and colleagues, who have worked alongside me. Journeying with like-minded people brings great joy.
As you reflect on your own faith journey, you might recall people, like Paul, who have encouraged you in your faith; a co-leader you trusted who took on hard things with you; or those, like Priscilla and Aquila, who lovingly redirected you when you may have gone off course.
Perhaps you’ve even had the courage to gently correct a preacher or friend, pointing them back to the way of Jesus. I have been corrected many times, and while it can be initially painful, I am grateful for it!
Take a moment to reflect on those who have played a significant role in your life recently. What encouragement or correction have you received? Is there something God is inviting you to act on or respond to? Thank God for the investment others have made in your life.
In the past month, has God prompted you to “pull someone aside”? How did that feel? Were you hesitant, perhaps anxious because they were more educated, eloquent, or powerful than you? If you followed through, were you gentle and kind, or harsh and judgmental?
How did the person respond? What did God teach you through the experience?
If there's an invitation from God you haven’t acted on yet, ask Him for wisdom and gentleness as you consider your next step.
Take some time to pray about the things God has shown you. Invite him to bring like-minded people into your path.
Author Bio
Mardi Dolfo-Smith has been a pastor for the last 25 years and is currently a pastor at CA Church. She is part of the Alliance Women in Leadership Collective, married to Toni and has 4 adult children. She loves meeting with her friends, cycling, gardening, sewing, and opportunities to engage in mission in far-away places!
@cachurchmariner (Instagram)
Luke and Acts taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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