Some people influence others through a platform. Others influence through quiet conversations, faithful friendships, open homes, and patient teaching. Priscilla was one of those women. Her name may not appear many times in Scripture, but the moments in which she appears reveal a woman of remarkable faith, wisdom, courage, hospitality, and spiritual maturity. Alongside her husband Aquila, Priscilla became an important servant in the early Church and played a significant role in helping others understand the way of God more accurately.
One of the most beautiful moments in her story involves Apollos, a gifted preacher who knew the Scriptures but needed a fuller understanding of the gospel. Priscilla did not embarrass him. She did not compete with him. She did not use his lack of understanding to make herself look superior. Instead, she and Aquila took him aside and taught him. Her story is one example of how women can use godly wisdom, faith, and influence to help others grow in their walk with God.
Her story gives us a powerful picture of godly mentorship—the kind that corrects with love, teaches with humility, and points people closer to Christ.
Who Was Priscilla in the Bible?
Priscilla first appears in Acts 18, where Luke introduces her alongside her husband, Aquila. Paul met them in Corinth because they shared the same trade of tentmaking. Acts 18:2–3 says that Paul came to them, and because they were of the same occupation, he stayed and worked with them. This tells us something important about Priscilla.
- She was not separated from ordinary life.
- She worked.
- She served.
- She opened her life to the Christian ministry.
Her spiritual influence grew in the middle of everyday responsibilities. This is encouraging because mentorship does not always happen in formal settings. Sometimes, God uses people we meet through work, friendship, family, church, or ordinary daily life.
Priscilla shows us that your ordinary life can become a place of extraordinary spiritual influence when it is surrendered to God.
Priscilla Worked Alongside Aquila in Ministry
Priscilla and Aquila were a ministry partnership. Their names appear together repeatedly in the New Testament, including Acts 18:18, Acts 18:26, Romans 16:3–5, 1 Corinthians 16:19, and 2 Timothy 4:19. Paul speaks warmly about them in Romans 16:3–4:
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks.”
Paul called them his helpers in Christ Jesus. That is a beautiful description. They were not simply church attendees. They were actively involved in the work of Christ. Their lives were available to God. Their home became a place where believers gathered. Paul writes in Romans 16:5:
“Likewise greet the church that is in their house.”
Imagine that. Their home became connected with the life of the Church. Priscilla's mentorship was not separated from hospitality, service, friendship, and discipleship. She understood that spiritual influence often grows through relationships.
Priscilla and Apollos: A Powerful Picture of Mentorship
The clearest example of Priscilla's mentoring influence is found in Acts 18:24–26. Apollos was an impressive teacher. Luke describes him as:
“an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures.” Acts 18:24
He was fervent in spirit and taught diligently the things of the Lord. But there was a limitation. Apollos knew only part of the story. His understanding needed to become more complete.
Acts 18:25 “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.”
Then Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak. What happened next is one of the most beautiful examples of biblical correction.
“Whom when Priscilla and Aquila had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” Acts 18:26
- They took him aside.
- They taught him.
- They helped him understand more fully.
This is biblical mentorship at its best.
Priscilla Corrected Without Humiliating
One of the greatest lessons from this passage is how Priscilla corrected Apollos. The Bible does not say that she interrupted him publicly. She did not shame him. She did not announce his lack of understanding of everyone listening. Instead, Priscilla and Aquila took him aside. There is wisdom in that.
- Sometimes, correction needs to be private.
- Sometimes, people learn better when they are not defending themselves.
- Sometimes, truth is received more deeply when it is delivered with humility and love.
Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath.”
Ephesians 4:15 encourages believers to speak “the truth in love.” Priscilla demonstrates this principle beautifully. She understood that the goal was not to win an argument. The goal was to help Apollos know God's truth more accurately. That is the heart of Christian mentorship.
Priscilla Saw Potential in Apollos
Apollos was already gifted.
- He was eloquent.
- He knew the Scriptures.
- He was fervent.
- He was teaching boldly.
Priscilla did not treat him as though he had nothing to offer. She recognized what was already present while helping him grow in what was lacking. This is something every mentor should learn. Good mentors do not only see weaknesses. They see potential. When you mentor someone, don't begin by asking, “What is wrong with this person?” Ask: “What has God already placed inside this person, and how can I help it grow?”
Some people need correction. Others need encouragement. Many need both. Priscilla shows us that correction and encouragement can exist together.
Priscilla Was Not Threatened by Someone Else's Gift
After Apollos received instruction, he became an even more effective minister. Acts 18:27–28 tells us that Apollos went to Achaia and greatly helped those who believed.
“For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.” Acts 18:28
Think about the beauty of this. Priscilla helped someone become more effective in ministry. And she did not need to receive the spotlight for it. That is a powerful mark of spiritual maturity. A godly mentor does not become jealous when the person they help begins to shine. They rejoice. They understand that the purpose of mentorship is multiplication, not competition.
If God uses someone you have encouraged, taught, or prayed for, celebrate what God is doing. Their growth is not your loss. Their growth can be part of your fruitfulness.
Priscilla Teaches Us That Women Can Be Spiritual Teachers and Mentors
Priscilla's story is particularly meaningful for Christian women. Scripture shows her actively involved in helping Apollos understand the way of God more accurately. This does not mean every woman has the same ministry assignment. Rather, it demonstrates that women can make meaningful contributions to spiritual instruction, discipleship, encouragement, and strengthening of God's people.
This connects with the broader teaching of Titus 2:3–5, where mature women are instructed to teach what is good and help younger women grow in godly living. Biblical mentorship is, therefore, not about seeking a title. It is about becoming useful in God's hands. The Bible gives us a broader picture of women whose faith and influence helped strengthen others across different generations and circumstances.
- You can mentor someone through Scripture.
- You can mentor through prayer.
- You can mentor through hospitality.
- You can mentor through honest conversations.
- You can mentor by sharing lessons learned through difficult seasons.
- You can mentor simply by living faithfully enough for someone else to see Christ in your life.
Priscilla's Home Became a Place of Spiritual Influence
Romans 16:5 mentions the church that met in Priscilla and Aquila's house. Their home became a place where believers could gather. This reminds us that Christian influence is not limited to church buildings.
- Your home can become a place of prayer.
- Your dining table can become a place of encouragement.
- Your conversations can become opportunities for discipleship.
- Your hospitality can create room for someone who needs wisdom.
1 Peter 4:9–10 encourages believers to show hospitality and use their gifts to serve one another. Priscilla's life reminds us that sometimes the ministry God wants to use most is the ministry happening behind closed doors.
Priscilla's Mentorship Was Christ-Centered
Priscilla did not point Apollos toward herself. She helped him understand “the way of God more perfectly.” That is the heart of Christian mentorship. A mentor should never become a replacement for God.
The goal is not:
- “Follow me because I know everything.”
The goal is:
- “Let me help you know Christ more deeply.”
Jesus must remain at the center. Colossians 2:6–7 encourages believers to walk in Christ, rooted, and built up in Him. A good mentor helps people become rooted in Christ, not rooted in the mentor. That distinction protects relationships from unhealthy dependence.
What Can We Learn From Priscilla Today?
1. Learn before you teach
Priscilla was part of a ministry partnership that was deeply connected to Scripture and Christian service.
A mentor should remain teachable. We cannot effectively help others grow if we have stopped growing ourselves.
2. Correct with humility
Apollos needed instruction, but Priscilla did not humiliate him. Correction should restore, not destroy.
Galatians 6:1 teaches believers to restore someone gently when they have fallen into error.
3. Recognize people's strengths
Apollos was already gifted. Priscilla helped him become more accurate without dismissing what God had already placed in him. Mentors should look for potential.
4. Don't compete with the people you mentor
Apollos became a powerful servant of God. Priscilla did not need to become the center of his story. The kingdom of God is bigger than our personal recognition.
5. Use what God has placed in your hands
Priscilla used her knowledge, relationships, home, work, and faithfulness for God's purposes.
You can do the same. You may not have a platform, but you have influence. You may not teach thousands, but you may be able to strengthen one person. Sometimes, strengthening one person can affect generations.
How Can You Become a Priscilla-Like Mentor?
- Start with prayer.
- Ask God to show you someone you can encourage.
- Then listen.
- Don't rush to give advice.
- Understand their situation.
- Open Scripture together.
- Share what God has taught you.
- Correct with humility when necessary.
- Celebrate their growth.
- Pray for them when they are not around.
And never forget that your role is to point them toward Christ.
James 1:5 reminds us that anyone who lacks wisdom can ask God, who gives generously. So:
- Ask Him for wisdom.
- Ask Him for patience.
- Ask Him for discernment.
- Ask Him for the right words.
- Ask Him to make your life a safe place where someone can grow in faith.
The Spirit-Filled Heart of Mentorship
Christian mentorship cannot be sustained by human wisdom alone. We need the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said:
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost... he shall teach you all things.” John 14:26
The Holy Spirit is the true Teacher. Our responsibility is to cooperate with Him. A Spirit-filled mentor does not manipulate people.
- She does not control their decisions.
- She does not demand dependence.
- She helps people hear Scripture, recognize God's truth, and follow Christ faithfully.
That is why mentorship should always be covered in prayer.
- Before you speak to someone, ask God for wisdom.
- Before you correct someone, ask God for love.
- Before you encourage someone, ask God for the right words.
And after you have helped them, entrust them to God.
Conclusion: Help Someone Grow
Priscilla's story may appear briefly in Scripture, but her influence was significant.
- She worked faithfully.
- She served alongside Aquila.
- She opened her home.
- She helped strengthen the early Church.
And she took time to help Apollos understand God's way more perfectly. She teaches us that mentorship does not require a massive platform. It requires a willing heart.
- You may know a woman who needs encouragement.
- You may know a young believer who needs someone to explain Scripture patiently.
- You may know someone who is gifted but needs direction.
- You may know someone who simply needs a safe place to ask questions about faith.
Don't underestimate what God can do through one faithful relationship. Priscilla did not merely tell Apollos what he was missing. She helped him see God's truth more clearly. After receiving that help, Apollos went forward and became a powerful witness for Christ. That is the beauty of godly mentorship.
We receive from God, grow in His grace, and then help someone else grow. May God raise women like Priscilla—women who are humble enough to teach, wise enough to correct, loving enough to encourage, and Spirit-filled enough to point every person they influence back to Jesus.
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