Romans 16:3

Romans 16:3, in plain English

Paul wants you to greet Priscilla and Aquila, a married couple who've worked alongside him in spreading the gospel.

Why it's here

You've probably met these two before if you know much about early church history. They were tentmakers from Rome who ended up in Corinth, then Ephesus, and now apparently back in Rome. They're not famous figures—they're steady, reliable co-workers in ministry.

Who's speaking

Paul, beginning a long section of personal greetings

Where it sits in the story

The couple shows you that the church wasn't built by superstars but by ordinary people—a husband and wife—who decided their work and their lives belonged to Christ.

The scholarly reading

Paul greets Priscilla and Aquila, identifying them as his co-workers in Christ Jesus.

Language and setting

These are among the most important figures in early Christian history, though Priscilla (Prisca in some manuscripts) receives primary billing—itself a departure from patriarchal convention. Luke's account in Acts 18 identifies them as tentmakers from Pontus who had recently left Rome due to Claudius's expulsion of Jews (49 CE), placing them in Corinth when Paul arrived. Their prominence in Paul's greetings, repeated in 2 Timothy 4:19, underscores their significance as educators and missionaries.

Voice

Paul, now beginning his catalogue of salutations.

Significance

Priscilla and Aquila represent the Jewish-Christian network that sustained Paul's mission—people of practical skills, economic stability, and intellectual capacity who transformed their trade into a platform for gospel proclamation. They embody the pattern of missionary couples whose partnership in marriage paralleled their partnership in ministry.

1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea.

2Welcome her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her with anything she may need from you. For she has been a great help to many people, including me.

3Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

4who have risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them.

5Greet also the church that meets at their house.

Read all of Romans 16 — Paul names over two dozen co-workers — men and women, Jews and Gentiles — revealing a movement built on real relationships and shared sacrifice.