Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 2 Timothy 4:19

"Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the house of Onesiphorus." — 2 Timothy 4:19 (ASV)

Priscilla and Aquila figured prominently in Paul’s life. When he first arrived in Corinth—evidently short of funds and disappointed at the meager results of his ministry in Athens—he found both employment and lodging with Aquila and Priscilla. Like him, they were leather workers (Acts 18:2–3). When Paul left Corinth, this couple sailed across the Aegean with him to Ephesus and stayed there (Acts 18:18–19). They performed a useful function by instructing Apollos (v.26). From there they, and the church that met in their home, sent greetings to the Christians at Corinth (1 Corinthians 16:19). Later we find them back in Rome (Romans 16:3); Paul sent greetings to them there and referred (Romans 16:4) to an occasion when they had “risked their lives” for him. But now they are once more in Ephesus. In those days prosperous Jews traveled a great deal from city to city. In four of the six places where Priscilla and Aquila are mentioned, Priscilla’s name comes first. Evidently she was the stronger character of the two. It may well be that their moves were due as much to her missionary concern as to her husband’s trade. The “household of Onesiphorus” is mentioned with great appreciation in 1:16–18 (see comments there).