The question about Priscilla teaching Apollos seems to get raised when dealing with women’s roles in the church. As more and more Christians are influenced by social and cultural trends, the idea that women might be subjugated or limited in their ministry becomes less and less popular. This question comes from the use of Aquila and Priscilla teaching Apollos in Acts1 to justify women taking authoritative roles in the church such as preacher or even elder (known as egalitarianism).
How Scripture answers "Did Priscilla teach Apollos?"
Priscilla did teach Apollos…along with her husband Aquila1. They did this together; the passage says that “they” taught Apollos. The fact that this married couple – together – taught Apollos, in no way necessitates the conclusion that Priscilla exercised authority over either of these two men2. In fact, examining these passages12 together, with the broader instruction regarding men/women roles3 in God’s kingdom and God’s expectation45, would seem to necessitate this conclusion.
It’s entirely possible that Priscilla was stronger in the Scripture than her husband (maybe that’s why she’s listed first in all but the KJV versions?). Or, maybe Priscilla only played a support role in the teaching? Of course, we don’t know exactly. What we do know is that “they”1 explained the gospel to Apollos more accurately! Whether Priscilla played a lessor or greater role in that teaching, we understand she would not have done so in a way that usurped the authority2345 of those men who were present.
Answer built on scripture-blocks below
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
He [Apollos] spoke boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the gospel to him more accurately.
Paul met Aquila (a Jew) and his wife Priscilla in Corinth (vss 1-2). They shared the same profession and worked together making tents (vs 3). After 1.5 years (vs 11), the three of them left Corinth for Ephesus (vs 18) and Paul left them there and traveled on. It’s in Ephesus that Aquila and Priscilla encounter Apollos (after Paul has left).
Applying Acts 18:26 to this question...
After living and traveling with Paul for many years, Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos to better understand the gospel.
Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.
Let a woman learn quietly while being submissive. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man, rather she is to remain quiet.
Paul, appointed as preacher and apostle in “faith and truth” (vs 7), is instructing the young preacher Timothy in various matters of his personal faith, and in this chapter turns specifically to instructions for members of the church. He begins with more general instructions (vss 1-6) before turning to specific roles within local assemblies. First for men (vs 8), women (vss 9-15), elders (3:1-7), and deacons (3:8-13).
His instructions regarding women are based on scripture going back to the creation account, specifically that “Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.” (vss 13-14)
Applying 1 Timothy 2:11-12 to this question...
Paul’s giving instruction to women not to teach or “remain quiet” within the context of their God-ordained relationship to men (both generally and specifically regarding their role in the church assembly). Women are not to exercise authority over men.
the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says. If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not permitted to speak but should remain in submission, as the Law also says. If they desire to learn something, they should ask their husbands at home, for it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.
Paul is writing to the church in Corinth about orderly worship. In this immediate context, he’s applying this truth to discourage everyone from speaking at once in worship. In particular, they were using miraculous gifts of tongues improperly (with no interpreter – vs 27). The second part of verse 33 is included here in parentheses. While part of verse 33, the punctuation is such that a new paragraph begins. Other translations such as the KJV and NASB punctuate and include it with verse 33 to read, “For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.”
Applying 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 to this question...
Women were instructed not to speak in the assembly (local church). If they had a question, they were to reserve it for their husband at home.
Then the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.
God said it wasn't good for man to be alone, so He decided to make someone who would be a fit helper.
God has created the heavens and the earth, and after making Adam (vs 7) and placing him in the garden (vs 8) with “every beast of the field and every bird of the heaven” (vs 19), He created Eve from Adam’s rib (vs 21).
Applying Genesis 2:18 to this question...
God created man (Adam), and then He created woman (whom Adam called Eve) to be a “helper fit for him”.
And to Adam he said, ‘Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, You shall not eat of it, cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.’
God told Adam that since he had followed after his wife in eating of the tree from which He forbade them to eat, He would curse the ground with thorns and thistles so that he would have to labor in pain to cultivate it for food. Since he came from the ground, he would return to the ground.
In the garden of Eden when God has discovered Adam and Eve’s disobedience. He pronounces judgment on the Tempter (vs 15) and shares the curses for both man (vss 17-19) and woman as a result of their disobedience and that fact that sin had now entered the world.
Applying Genesis 3:17-19 to this question...
God attributes Adam’s sin to following after Eve.
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Priscilla’s name is not listed first, Aquila’s is in the KJV looking at Acts 18:26.
Thanks for your comment, Tathan, and for pointing that out. It appears that the KJV is the only one to do that, but we have appended the answer to make note of that nonetheless. Thanks again for your input.