'Greet Priscilla (Prisca R.V.) and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:

who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I

give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.  Likewise greet

the church that is in their house' (Rom. 16:3 -5).

The Revised Version here rightly reads 'Prisca', as does the Authorized

Version in 2 Timothy 4:19.  This form of the name is probably an affectionate

diminutive, and the use of it opens for a moment a door into the private

life and homely affection of the great apostle.  The genuineness and reality

of Paul's character was such that he had no need, as we say, to stand on his

dignity, and could indulge in a little playfulness without detracting from

the solemnity of his message.

With regard to the passage quoted from Romans 16, it is written:

'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his

friends' (John 15:13).  So that Aquila and Priscilla had shown the apostle

the highest quality of love this world affords.  How, where, and precisely

what, were all the circumstances which brought out this manifestation of love

we do not know.  The narrative of the Acts abounds with accounts of riots,

plots and murderous attacks upon Paul, and at least on one of these dangerous

occasions the intervention of this homely couple saved his life, for which it

may truly be said not Paul only but the churches of the Gentiles, ever since,

give thanks.

Aquila and Priscilla join Paul in sending salutations to the church at

Corinth, and it is noticeable that while they have evidently removed from one

city to another, they still have a church in their house (1 Cor. 16:19).  The

faithful fellowship and affectionate nearness of these companions of Paul

continued to the end.  'Salute Prisca and Aquila' he wrote on the eve of his

martyrdom.  At last he was to lay down his neck for the truth he held dearer

than life itself, and he cannot forget those whose love was instrumental

under God, in enabling him to finish his course.  Apart from the important

instance recorded in Acts 18 in connection with Apollos, we do not associate

Aquila or Priscilla so much with teaching as with that equally important

ministry of hospitality and loving service, even unto death.  What a

sanctifying of life for man and wife and home, thus to be consecrated to the

Lord!  On every hand there are indications that before this dispensation ends

the church will once more be in the house of such believers.  What glory may

be awaiting some readers of these lines!

May the Lord use the message to accomplish His purposes of grace and

prepare His 'Aquilas' and 'Priscillas' for service in the closing days.

Preaching is not always done from a pulpit, neither is teaching always

done from a platform.  Many times the individual contact, with question and

answer, with no audience and no conventional setting, proves the most

effective.  With this in mind the reader may not feel that the following

conversational series of question and answer will be out of place in this

A.  I do not wish you to think that I question the truth of Scripture or the

power of God, but I am somewhat mystified by the many kinds of 'faith' that

are spoken of in theological writings.  I read of 'historic faith', and