Aquila

Meaning: eagle.

This was the name of a native of Pontus, by tentmaker, who Paul met on his first visit to Corinth (Acts 18:2). Along with his wife Priscilla, he had fled from Rome due to a decree (50 AD) by Claudius commanding all Jews to leave the city.

Paul lived with him at Corinth, and they worked together in their common trade, making Cilician hair-cloth for tents. On Paul’s departure from Corinth after eighteen months, Aquila and his wife accompanied him to Ephesus, where they remained, while he proceeded to Syria (Acts 18:18, 26). We are not informed when they became Christians, but in Ephesus they were (1 Corinthians 16:19) Paul’s “helpers in Christ Jesus.” Afterwards, we find them at Rome (Romans 16:3), still working for the cause of Christ. Some years after, we find them at Ephesus (2 Tim. 4:19). This is the last record we have of them.