4 Things Priscilla Taught me about being a Biblical Woman of Influence
I went through a long season, beginning in my mid teens and continuing on a bit into my early twenties, of legalism when it came to what I believed Biblical womanhood to be. It has been quite a journey in recent years of the Lord opening my eyes to the full-orbed richness of His design for women. As I have intently studied the Word of God in general and certain women in the Word specifically, to glean my current understanding of what it means to be a Christian woman, one of the women that has stood out to me the most has been Priscilla.
Her example has been used by God to encourage, inspire, and equip me in my walk as a Biblical woman of influence myself. I hope you will find yourself just as encouraged today as I have been as we study the life of Priscilla.
4 Things Priscilla Taught me about being a Biblical Woman of Influence
We are first introduced to Priscilla in Acts 18:2, when Luke tells us that she and her husband Aquila were from Italy. Paul stayed with them for a time, ministering to others alongside them and also working in their tent-making business. In verse 24 we read that a fellow minister of the Lord, Apollos, came to Ephesus and began to preach in the synagogue. Though much of what he was teaching was correct and he was a fervent, eloquent man, he nevertheless was proclaiming some falsehoods in his gospel presentations. In verse 26 Priscilla arrives on the scene again and we read this:
“When Aquila and Priscilla heard him (Apollos), they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.”
There is so much richness to unpack from this short little verse. Here are 4 things in particular:
I need to know the Word.
The first thing that stands out to me is that if I am going to be a Biblical woman of influence as was Priscilla, then it is crucial for me to know the Word. We are told in 2 Timothy 2:15 that we are to be diligent students of the Word who are able to rightly divide it. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is alive and active and sharper than any two-edged sword. Then there is 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which is such an important passage for this discussion that I will quote it for us in full:
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Did you catch that? Scripture alone is what fully equips us for every good work in our lives – be that motherhood, marriage, ministry, working in the community, or simply influencing others as a Titus 2 woman. In order to be a Biblical woman of influence, it is imperative that I know the Bible!
I need to be willing to proclaim the Word.
The second thing I learned from Priscilla is that I need to proclaim the Word. I need to, as 2 Timothy 4:2 says, “Preach the word! Be ready in and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” Priscilla, when faced with error and unsound doctrine, was ready and able to address and refute it with the truths of God. If we want to be Biblical women of influence, we have to be willing to do that also. And what equips us to be able to do that? Again, being in the Word and knowing it.
Priscilla, when faced with error and unsound doctrine, was ready and able to address and refute it with the truths of God. If we want to be Biblical women of influence, we have to be willing to do that, as well. Click To TweetI need to see myself as my husband’s partner.
I’ve been writing a lot on my blog lately about Biblical womanhood. One thing in particular that I love to unpack for people is the Hebrew behind the word “helper” in Genesis 2:18:
And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.”
The Hebrew word translated “helper” is “ezer”. Throughout the Old Testament, we see that this word is used to refer to woman in Genesis 2, the mighty men of valor (the military men who fought for Israel) in a handful of passages, and then to God Himself when He came to the rescue and aid of Israel. “Ezer” (and therefore, “helper”) is therefore a very strong word. It is not referring to someone who merely makes the meals and cleans the laundry (as important as those tasks are!). It is typically a militaristic term which denotes great strength – a warrior, a rescuer, a protector, an aide. With this in mind, we can then more clearly see the beautiful design of God for men and women and marriage.
God created men and women to be equal, to be true partners in a marriage. Yes, wives are called to submit to their husbands, but not as to a father, but as to one who bears the ultimate responsibility for the direction in which the home and family go. Husbands and wives are to be partners in marriage, and we clearly see Priscilla and Aquila living this out so beautifully in this passage. They are, side by side, working to proclaim the good news of the gospel to this brother-in-Christ. That is a beautiful thing to behold!
I need to realize I am a minister of the gospel.
The fourth thing Priscilla’s example taught me was that I, as a Christian, am called to be a minister of the gospel. In Romans 16:3, Paul refers to Priscilla and Aquila in this way: “Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus”. I am called to be a co-laborer in the truth alongside my brothers and sisters in Christ, and as such can teach both men and women the truths of God’s Word. In order to be a true Biblical woman of influence as was Priscilla, I need to be viewing every day of my life (and every aspect of my every day!) as being a part of the Great Commission work I have been called to.
Whether I am homemaking, schooling little ones, writing books, recording podcasts, speaking to women, extending hospitality, taking a walk in my neighborhood, or texting a friend, I need to do it all with the understanding that no aspect of that work is mundane. Rather, it can all be done to the glory of God and for the advancement of His glorious Kingdom.
Daily Influence
That, my sweet sisters, is how we become Biblical women of influence as were these amazing women we read of in the Word. Go forth and be that kind of woman today. You are equipped with the same Word and the same Holy Spirit they were. There is no end to what God can do through you as you seek to influence others for Him! God bless you in your everyday ministry, friends!
- 4 Things Priscilla Taught me about being a Biblical Woman of Influence - May 5, 2018
- When Your Marriage is Young and so are Your Children - February 2, 2018
- 5 Ways a Perfect Mom Pursuit Negates the Gospel - November 3, 2017
I’ve been searching for women’s devotional first for my spiritual growth and also to share it to my church mates on our women’s fellowship…I’m blessed. Please continue doing this it’s a big help.God bless!
Thank you for your encouragement. Despite the fact that one has been a christian for many years years, some things get easier, but sometimes the mountains are narrower and steeper so we all need encouragement. Thanks again💖
This is wonderful. I will be hosting a Legacy Builders LInkup in May. This post would be excellent to link up. Go to MandyandMichele.com to sign up to be notified when the link up is open.
Enjoyed reading this and the applications to us today. We often don’t unpack this small sentence, and yet there is so much wisdom here.
What a great read! I’ve been spending time studying the examples of Godly women given in the Bible, and they are inspiring. I’ve learned to view the biblical instruction given to women through a lens of real women who served God in their culture, and then we see the role of women unfold beautifully!
I wrote about them in February, they do appear to have been a model couple.
This is GREAT Angel! Pricilla is one of the women of the Bible that we don’t see studies on very often. I appreciate you bring this to the forefront, and I love the points you made. Scheduled on Tailwind and pinned as well. Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!
So much of wisdom. Thank you.
Thank You .I will do this daily
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Thanks for this great post! Examination of the women of the Bible can teach us so much! My husband and I have applied the Priscilla and Aquila model to our marriage and our ministry at our church. Priscilla is my favorite Biblical woman of faith, and I view her as my model. In Paul’s letters as a sign of their joint ministry, half the time Paul refers to her first and half the time he names Aquila first. Like you I’ve had to dig into the Word of God to learn as I’ve also recovered from a time of legalism. I found your post to be an invigorating reminder of these dear and precious truths that the Lord put into his Word to strengthen and encourage couples who serve Jesus. The Aquila and Priscilla example is a model for how to serve together. God bless you, dear sister writer!
Melinda, so glad that it blessed you! And I love that you and your husband are walking out Priscilla and Aquila. What an example you are to others as you live it out! Bless you sister!
I love this! I have never studied Priscilla before, so it was fun to read the wisdom that God has given you in regards to her life! Visiting from #DestinationInspiration. 🙂
Beautifully written. I, too, appreciate Priscilla. My husband and I have a ministry called Priscilla and Aquila Ministry because, in part, their relationship is the type we want to serve our brothers and sisters with. I love Priscilla for her side of the relationship and her boldness to speak.
That is so neat, Margaret! I love that!
Thank you so much for the encouragement! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post!