Silent women in Corinth: Addressing issues with chaotic worship services

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul deals with headship and submission to authority using the Corinthian culture of head covering. Chapter 12 teaches about spiritual gifts in the body of Christ. Chapter 13 teaches about the expression of love. Then in chapter 14, Paul considers the issue of intelligibility in worship. Thus, there is a general progression of teaching the church in Corinth the full scope of things that will lead to their growth and maturity. In the midst of chapter 14, certain matters were raised by the Apostle which have become increasingly unpopular within feminist groups. This post will consider these unpopular views and we will try to understand what Paul was sharing with the women in Corinth and find out if this is still applicable to us. In different places in the first letter to the Corinthians, Paul had mentioned women prophesying and praying. For example in 1 Corinthians 11:5, Paul states that “But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.” However, in 1 Corinthians 14:34, the Apostle gives this command:

“Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.”

Then Paul continues to say that “If they (the women) want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:35). I must confess, the first time I read these verses, I wasn’t happy. Why will Paul command women to be silent in the church? Unfortunately, for years, no one adequately explained this verse to me. Thankfully, a few years ago, I heard a man of God explain this verse from the perspective of orderliness in church. His explanations helped to clear my concerns. In this post, I will share with you lessons I have gleaned from this command, the background of Paul’s command and its applications in contemporary church meetings.

The first thing I would like to mention is the fact that inasmuch as Paul’s apostolic letters are much more needed in our days, we should understand that, when Paul set out to write these letters several years ago, he addressed specific churches and specific issues and we cannot take the discussions out of the context in which they were presented. From 1 Corinthians 11, we understand that the Apostle expected women to pray and he expected women to prophesy at church. In Acts 18:26, we meet Priscilla, the wife of Aquila (a couple discipled by Paul) who together with her husband taught Apollos the way of God more adequately:
“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.”
Thus, Priscilla was a Bible teacher and Paul himself took Priscilla and Aquila along with him to his missionary journey and even left them to manage the church in Ephesus. In his letter to the Romans, Paul mentions Junia, a woman who had been imprisoned together with Paul for their faith:
“Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.” (Romans 16:7)
Junia was obviously not a silent woman. She was vocal with her faith and that might have led to her imprisonment.

Considering all these, why will Paul command that the women in Corinth (and also in one of the letters to Timothy) be silent in church? It is proper to state that Paul’s decision was as a result of certain issues emanating from the way services were organized in the Corinthian churches. Paul says, “What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.” (1 Corinthians 14:26). Paul was addressing the issue of disorderliness in the service. The general meetings were filled with so much chaos and noise. Everyone was saying something at every time. There was no order in the churches. When prophecies are given, everyone jumps in to explain bringing in more chaos. Paul said, “But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (1 Corinthians 14:40).

Thus, Paul drawing on the principle of submission and headship admonished the women to keep quiet when it is time for such explanations and allow the men (significant of authority) to speak. According to Paul, if women want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church (1 Corinthians 14:35). Paul wanted order in the church and the idea of everyone speaking or saying something at the same time only contributed to a chaotic service.

Is this instruction relevant to the church today? We should desire to have a church built on the foundation of the word of God. Building up the church to the full image and stature of Christ (Christlikeness) demands a concentrated approach to training and equipping the church. If there is no orderliness in the house of God, Christlike transformation will be stalled. If there is so much noise in the church, it will be difficult for people to be groomed properly. We should understand that inasmuch as God desires the church to grow, “God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.” (1 Corinthians 14:33). The church should put structures in place to ensure that church services serve the purposes of transformation and growth. Any act that is likely to bring in chaos and confusion in the church should be avoided including putting limits on noise making and excessive talking while service is going on. Even in our workplaces, we put structures in place to ensure orderliness and the smooth run of activities. The house of God should not be a place of chaos and confusion.

The Christian Woman’s submission to God: Head covering

Growing up, I only knew that as a Christian woman, I needed to cover my head with a head scarf to church. When I later inquired about why I needed to cover my head, I was told that Apostle Paul commanded it. No further explanation was given as to why Apostle Paul commanded it. No wonder years later, a generation arose that was not impressed with the head covering dogma and the majority of these young women refused to cover their heads until the church stopped complaining about it. Now, head covering is not a compulsory dress code for that denomination. Many of the things or the dogmatic practices in various denominations are treated just like the issue with the head covering. Even leaders are not well informed on why a church considers one thing a priority over the other. The issue of head covering in the Bible as perceived in the first letter to the people of Corinth addressed specific issues in the Corinthian church.

But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved. (1 Corinthians 11:5)

First we need to understand that Paul wrote to a specific congregation but the letter has truths that are applicable in all generations. In 1 Corinthians 11:2-16, Paul addresses the issue of women and head covering in the church. We need to understand that this was a fragment of a whole apostolic letter and at this point in the letter Paul was addressing the concerns about submission in the church. The apostle states that “But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God” (1 Corinthians 11:3). Here, Paul outlines a hierarchy or chain of command that every Christian must submit to: the headship of God the Father, God the Son,the husband and then the wife. In the Corinthian culture, a married woman was required to wear a head covering as a sign of her submission to her husband’s authority and tentatively the submission to God’s authority.

Furthermore, in the Corinthian culture women kept long hair and the men kept short hair. They perceived the woman’s hair as her glory given for her covering: “For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head. But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering.” (1 Corinthians 11:6,15). Paul reasoned that submission to the husband and God is a pattern that even the angels consider and learn from humanity (1 Corinthians 11:10). As Paul addressed this cultural issue that was disrupting the smooth flow of the church, Paul did not entirely abandon the culture. He used the cultural significance of head covering to teach a spiritual truth of submission in the body of Christ. Head covering or submission wasn’t an act of inferiority but an act of obedience to God’s pattern of authority.

Unfortunately, the issue of head covering has not been justly explained in the body of Christ. In fact, it has rather become a sign of a church with “suppressed women” rather than an understanding of authority. Must every woman wear a head covering? Maybe we need to go back and understand the cultural significance of this as well as the spiritual implications. Wearing the biggest head covering and refusing to submit to the authority of your husband shows a woman with an uncovered head. Truth be told, head covering is now more fashionable in the church than a religious requirement. There are still cultures in the world, especially in the Middle East that require head covering for married women. Whenever women in such cultures wear head covering as a result of marriage, Paul wants us to consider this in relation to the chain command in the Christian home. Remember, you cannot submit to God if you are not submitted to your husband. Your head is uncovered.

To the unmarried sisters, submission is required even if you marry an unbeliever… therefore, before you say “I do” make sure that you say “I don’t” to any character deformity that will make submission difficult and unreasonable. No woman wants to submit to her bully.

The incestuous woman: Addressing immorality

Sexual immorality is an agelong sin that has continued to plague men and women. Unfortunately, while sexual immorality remains one of the world’s biggest challenges leading to character deformities in children that emerge from each relationship, the church has not been spared. It is quite disheartening to see this act committed in broad daylight in the church. Paul, dealing with this menace in the Corinthian church stated that, “But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.” (1 Corinthians 5:11). Thus, sexual immorality among believers is a sin that needs urgent attention from the church leadership. In the Corinthian church was a man who was grossly engaged in immorality with another woman. This nameless woman was obviously not a member of the church and thus Paul did not even find it needful to address her personally.

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. (1 Corinthians 5:1)

Let’s consider this nameless woman in this post. We are not privy to personal details like the age of this woman and the age of the church brother who was in the act of sin with her. In 1 Corinthians 5:1, Paul writes this: “It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife.” This is a serious issue that needed urgent attention but for some unknown reasons, the church looked on unconcerned. First, a brother from the church was engaged in sexual immorality with a woman outside of the church. This nameless woman and her nameless sexual partner were not just a bunch of random lovers. The woman was the stepmother of her sexual partner. Thus the man was sleeping with his father’s wife (who was technically his mother!). This blatant disrespect for marriage, disobedience to God and shameful act was tolerated in the church. That sin was so grievous that “even pagans do not tolerate” but was happening in broad daylight.

What could motivate a woman to leave her matrimonial bed and go and sleep with her husband’s son? This outrageous and incestuous relationship was not to be tolerated in any way in the church or outside the church. God’s laws against such acts clearly shows His disapproval. Leviticus 20:11 states that “If a man has sexual relations with his father’s wife, he has dishonored his father. Both the man and the woman are to be put to death; their blood will be on their own heads.” This was the extent of God’s indignation towards this act, yet a brother from the church confidently committed this sin with an unbelieving woman. Reuben, the first born of Jacob committed the same sin in Genesis 35:22a: “While Israel was living in that region, Reuben went in and slept with his father’s concubine Bilhah, and Israel heard of it.” And this sin attracted a generational curse for him: “Reuben, you are my firstborn, my might, the first sign of my strength, excelling in honor, excelling in power. Turbulent as the waters, you will no longer excel, for you went up onto your father’s bed, onto my couch and defiled it.” (Genesis 49:3‭-‬4). The Reubenites did not hold any significant position throughout the history of Israel.

The incestuous woman in Corinth and her partner committed actions that believers and unbelievers did not tolerate. Paul’s verdict was this: “So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 5:4‭-‬5). Paul, writing to the Christians in Rome stated this: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1‭-‬2). Paul also says in 1 Corinthians 6:15, 18-20 that “Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

Sexual immorality should in no way be tolerated in the body of Christ. If a sister or a brother is found engaging in it, they should be confronted immediately by the church leadership because “a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough” (1 Corinthians 5:6b). If the first act of sin is not handled properly, it could lead to others embarking on similar sinful routes using the first as their standard. .

Chloe: Serving the Lord with your household

In Joshua 24:15, as Joshua neared the end of his life, he gave the people of Israel his final words. One of the major themes of this final charge is “serving the Lord”. Joshua put before the people the Lord and the gods their ancestors served beyond the Euphrates. He said, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15a). Serving the Lord together with his household was Joshua’s stand. I believe for most believers, this would be the preferred stand, “serving the Lord with our household”. But, it doesn’t always happen.  We should be intentional to stand in the gap for the members in our household to come to faith. One woman in Corinth who served the Lord with her household was Chloe. In fact, they did not just serve the Lord together,  they were also interested in bringing peace into the church.

Chloe was a family person and a member of the Corinthian church. She was not just concerned with her salvation but that of her household and the entire church. Chloe was mentioned in the letter to the Corinthian church in relation to a report she and her household made to Paul. The church in Corinth was divided over leaders. According to Paul, the church was divided over  Paul, Apollos, Cephas (Peter) and Christ:
“What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:12)
This was a divided church that needed immediate pastoral attention. The issue bothered Chloe and her household and they immediately contacted Paul to resolve the issue.  It is fair to say that Chloe and her household might have tried to resolve divisions in the church but it didn’t work and as such, reporting to the Apostle was a means to get the issue resolved.

My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. (1 Corinthians 1:11)

When Paul addressed the issue,  he didn’t  conceal the names of those who reported the issue to him; “My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.” (1 Corinthians 1:11). These petty quarrels had the tendency to wreck the church. Imagine all members in the church divided over leaders. No one will follow instructions coming from any other person other than their preferred leaders. The church will not be able to do anything together if they are all divided over authority. The report from Chloe’s household was properly handled by Paul as he spent time expounding on why the church should not be divided over leaders. Paul told the church in Corinth this:
“Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:1‭-‬9)

The explanation Paul gave is still relevant for handling church conflicts over leaders. Imagine Chloe and her household had not done the needful, the church would have been destroyed with such petty quarrels. Imagine if Chloe’s household had not supported the decision to report the incident to Paul, the matter would have escalated. Serving the Lord with our household is important for both our family and the church. There are many “Chloes” in the body of Christ. People dedicated to serving the Lord with their families.

Paul addresses the sisters in Corinth (1 Corinthians)

In many of the letters Paul wrote to the different churches, he addressed the whole church and then addressed individuals. The first letter to the Corinthian believers was written as a reply to a couple of questions the church had written to Paul to help them with the answers. The Corinthian church was a growing church that Paul had established after staying with them for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God (Acts 18:11). Paul faced opposition in Corinth but the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision one night and said to him, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” (Acts 18:9‭-‬10). The church in Corinth thrived and prospered but when Paul wrote to them in his first letter, he did not only answer their questions, he also had practically pastoral issues to deal and resolve. Let’s briefly consider how Paul addressed the sisters in Corinth in this first letter.

First, Paul addresses the sisters together with the brothers so most of the verses we will quote to support each item will probably have brothers and sisters.
Appeal for unity: Paul appealed to the sisters and brothers to be united.
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. (1 Corinthians 1:10)

Paul reminds them of their lowly nature and how God chose them irrespective of their weaknesses.
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (1 Corinthians 1:26‭-‬27)

Paul mentions to them that what they heard from him was the testimony about God.
And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. (1 Corinthians 2:1)

Paul addresses their spiritual immaturity:
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ.
(1 Corinthians 3:1)

Paul addresses the conflict between leaders:
Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other. (1 Corinthians 4:6)

Paul addresses sexual immorality:
Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body. Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.(1 Corinthians 6:18‭-‬20)

Paul addresses the issues concerning marriage:
The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. (1 Corinthians 7:3)

Paul addresses the issue concerning sacrificial foods:
Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. (1 Corinthians 8:6)

Paul addresses the issue of the freedom they have as believers and how everything they do should be to the glory of God:
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Paul deals with issues such as head covering which has become a controversial topic in some churches. We will spend time and look at this in another post.
But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God. (1 Corinthians 11:3)

Paul also considers the Lord Supper and how some Corinthian believers were abusing the act.
So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. (1 Corinthians 11:27‭-‬28, 33)

Paul addresses spiritual gifts:
Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. (1 Corinthians 12:1)

Paul shows them the greatness of love:
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Paul further addresses church order and intelligibility during worship. These are also controversial topics as some people believe that Paul required that women do not talk at church.
Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? (1 Corinthians 14:6)
Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. (1 Corinthians 14:34)
I believe that Paul’s specific address to this church was to deal with internal church issues and not to automatically shut all women in the church permanently. Paul noted that, “Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.” (1 Corinthians 14:39‭-‬40). Paul’s focus was order in the Corinthian churches.

Paul reminds them of the gospel they had received:
Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. (1 Corinthians 15:1)

Paul reminds them of eternal rewards
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

The first letter to the church in Corinth is a pastoral letter with enough insights for the growth of the sisters (and brothers) in the church.

Phoebe: A deaconess (servant) of the church in Cenchreae

Paul’s letter to the Romans was written prior to Paul’s arrival in Rome. History records that this letter was written in the province of Corinth while Paul was on a missionary journey. Specifically, it is believed that Paul was in Cenchreae, a Port city near Corinth. The voluminous nature of the letter and the all-important information Paul wanted to share with the church implied that this letter would have been sent with reproduced copies for the different churches in Rome. Remember, Paul didn’t write on the kind of papers we had now. It would have been weighty parchment rolls. Furthermore, since there were no post office services then, these letters would have to be entrusted to a very dedicated and committed person. The road to Rome was rough and unsafe. The sea wasn’t safe and the land wasn’t safe either. There were believed to be lots of bad people on the different routes and staying in Taverns was not so recommended if a person was alone. So who carried this all-important letter to Rome on behalf of Paul? Paul entrusted this to a virtuous woman, a deaconess in the church in Cenchreae. Her name is Phoebe.

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. (Romans 16:1)

Paul introduces Phoebe in the last chapter of the letter. Romans 16:1 states this: “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.” An apostolic recommendation letter carried impact and credibility. Thus, Paul introduces Phoebe as one he recommends. Phoebe, a deaconess in the church in Cenchreae, might have been trustworthy and influential. Deacon (from the root word meaning servants) were men and women entrusted to serve the church in various capacities. The first group of deacons appointed in the church were men full of the Spirit and wisdom (see Acts 6: 1-7). The standards for the appointments would have remained the same: men and women full of the Spirit and wisdom. The second statement Paul made about Deaconess Phoebe is this: “I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me” (Romans 16:2).

This verse implies that Phoebe might have also been a wealthy and influential woman in the church. Through her generosity, she had helped many people in the church including the apostle Paul. It is fitting to say that Deaconess Phoebe might have sponsored her trip to Rome and made sure that all security steps were taken to ensure her safe arrival. Travelling to Rome would have been an expensive trip. The uncertainties involved and the fear of being in the wrong hands demanded that traveller’s make arrangements to lodge at places where they could be safe from swindlers and thieves. Phoebe counted the cost and the possibility of getting into trouble and yet, decided against all odds to travel to Rome. She could have been attacked by Jewish religious fanatics who didn’t want the spread of Christianity. She possibly left behind her family and friends as she embarked on this perilous journey. Phoebe understood that “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:8).

The ministry of Phoebe in the first century church cannot be underestimated. She changed the narrative about the role of women in the early church. Phoebe helps us to understand that we have all been called to serve with all that we have. Whether as servants in the local churches or as Christian women in the marketplace, one thing should stand out: Jesus can trust us to deliver His letter to believers and unbelievers. If Jesus should hand a letter for the church to you today, what recommendation will He write on your behalf?

Priscilla: The wife of Aquila

The ministry of Apostle Paul took him to different cities and different countries. Paul had preached in Athens where some people including Damaris came to faith. From Athens, Paul went to Corinth. The city of Corinth was the capital of the Roman province of Achaia and about forty miles from Athens. It was a wealthy city, had two harbors and the Apostle Paul spent 18 months (Acts 18:11) in this city. The first and second letters to the Corinthians were written by Paul to the church in Corinth. Considering the importance of Corinth in the history of the church, every significant incident in Corinth is worth studying. This post will consider a woman who became very instrumental in the growth of the church. She began her Christian journey in Corinth and from there, she traveled with Paul to Ephesus. Together with her husband, they became the ministry partner of Apostle Paul.

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 (Acts 18:2)

After Paul’s missionary work in Athens, Corinth was his next stop. According to Acts 18:1-2, “There (in Corinth), he (Paul) 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” (Acts 18:1‭-‬2). Thus, Priscilla and her husband were living abroad until the decree of Claudius was issued. They might have had a good life in Rome and their business might have prospered there. Priscilla and her husband Aquila were tent makers, the same profession as the Apostle Paul. Therefore, Paul “stayed and worked with them” (Acts 18:3). As we identified earlier, Corinth was a significant city and the two harbors of Cenchreae and Lechaeumon could have made it a popular destination for “deported Jews”. Priscilla and Aquila did not abandon their trade. It is possible that they had a vibrant tent making business in Rome but their change in location did not deter them from pursuing their business. In fact, their initial connection with Apostle Paul was for business purposes.

While on their tent making business, Priscilla and Aquila also became students of the word through the discipleship of the Apostle Paul. According to Acts 18:4, “Every Sabbath he (Paul) reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks.” Even in the midst of massive opposition from some of the Jews, Priscilla and her husband stood by Paul. The work in Corinth faced massive opposition and some people were abusive towards Paul but he stayed in Corinth for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God (Acts 18:11). This dedication to teaching raised Bible teachers such as Priscilla and Aquila who would later disciple other believers such as Apollos. The beginning of Priscilla’s ministry was in the marketplace. She was in business with her husband and while making tents, they spent their Sabbaths listening to Paul and learning from him.

Many times, we are quick to point to Priscilla as a great woman of the word. This is true but we need to understand that Priscilla didn’t wake up one day with the word. She committed to the discipleship of Paul. She was dedicated to her craft (tent making), yet very assiduous in her spiritual growth. For a year and a half, Paul committed to teaching the church in Corinth the word of God (Acts 18:11) and Priscilla was involved in the church not just as a friend and business partner to Paul, but as a student of the Bible.

Our commitment to the studying of the word of God is demonstrated in how we are ready in and out of season to rightfully divide the word of truth. The woman who makes a significant impact in the church, spends quality time with the word. If we desire the grace of Priscilla, we should be intentional about doing what Priscilla did. She studied to show herself approved. Neither marriage nor business hindered her quest for knowledge. She dug deeper until she became a teacher of the word.