Bible in a Year - Women’s Thematic Reading Plan | Day 84

Day 84 of the Women’s Bible Plan: Read Acts 18:24-28 and reflect on Priscilla, who, together with Aquila, helped Apollos understand the way of God more perfectly. Through her example, this devotional helps women learn how to help others understand the truth with humility, accuracy, gentleness, and love.

🌸  Dear Sister, welcome to Day 84 of our reading journey. 

Sometimes helping someone does not mean correcting them loudly in public or proving that we know more. True spiritual help often comes through drawing near gently, walking humbly with another person, and supplying what is lacking with truth and love.

In Acts Chapter 18, we meet Apollos, a man who was eloquent, mighty in the Scriptures, instructed in the way of the Lord, and fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord. Yet his understanding was still incomplete, because he knew only the baptism of John. He needed a fuller and more accurate understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak boldly in the synagogue, they did not publicly shame him or despise his zeal. Instead, they took him unto them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Priscilla’s example reminds us that women can be vessels God uses to help others understand His truth more deeply. She did not serve with a spirit of competition, but with love, humility, and accuracy, taking part in discipleship and gospel ministry.

A Minute of Grace

Acts 18:24-28 tells us that Apollos came to Ephesus. He was born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, was fervent in spirit, and spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord. Yet he knew only the baptism of John.

Apollos had gifts, zeal, eloquence, and knowledge of the Scriptures, but his understanding was still incomplete. He needed someone to help him understand the way of God more accurately. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they did not rush to reject him or embarrass him publicly. They took him aside and explained unto him the way of God more perfectly.

This passage is precious because it shows us a mature kind of spiritual help. Priscilla and Aquila were not trying to defeat Apollos; they were helping him know the truth more fully. They were not trying to display their superiority; they were helping a servant of God become better equipped. Later, when Apollos went to Achaia, he helped the believers greatly through grace and mightily convinced the Jews publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

From the perspective of “Women in the Bible,” Priscilla’s life gives us a beautiful reminder. She was not standing outside the work of the gospel. She served with her husband, welcomed others, taught carefully, and helped someone understand the word of God more fully. Her ministry was not loud, but it was deep. It was not self-promoting, but it truly built up another person. It was not correction from pride, but instruction shaped by truth and love.

Today’s theme, “Priscilla: Explaining the Way of God More Perfectly,” invites us to reflect: When we see someone who has zeal but incomplete understanding, how do we respond? Do we criticize, compare, and look down on them, or do we help them in love? When God gives us some knowledge of His truth, life experience, Bible study training, or spiritual maturity, are we willing to use it humbly to build others up, instead of lifting ourselves up?

Priscilla’s story reminds us that women can be rooted in truth and teach with gentleness. They can help behind the scenes and still make a lasting impact. They can serve in homes, churches, small groups, discipleship, and one-on-one companionship, helping others understand God’s Word more accurately.

Whispers for the Heart

1 Apollos was gifted and zealous, yet there were still areas where his understanding of God’s way needed to be completed. When you see someone who is passionate but does not fully understand the truth, how do you usually respond? Are you quick to criticize, correct, and compare, or are you willing to help with gentleness and patience?

2 Priscilla and Aquila did not publicly shame Apollos. They took him aside and explained the way of God more perfectly. Are you willing to learn this mature way of spiritual communication? When someone needs correction or guidance, how can you hold firmly to truth while also protecting that person’s dignity?

3 Priscilla served alongside Aquila in the work of the gospel and helped Apollos become better equipped to serve the Lord. Has God also given you gifts that can build others up—Bible study, prayer, listening, explaining, companionship, encouragement, teaching children, leading a small group, or caring for new believers? Are you willing to offer these gifts humbly for God to use?

As you read Acts 18:24-28 today, do not only notice Apollos’ eloquence and ability. Also notice Priscilla, the woman who helped someone behind the scenes understand the truth more accurately. Her life reminds us that mature spiritual service is not only about understanding truth for ourselves, but also helping others understand truth with love.

Take a quiet breath before you begin. Bring your words, attitude, knowledge, gifts, and service before the Lord, and let His Word meet you there.

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Acts 18:24-28 (KJV)

24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

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.

26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:

28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.

💡 Closing Thought · Building Others Up with Truth

After reading Acts 18:24-28, we see that Priscilla did not use truth to overpower someone, but to build someone up. She and Aquila saw Apollos’ zeal and also saw where his understanding needed to become fuller. With gentleness and accuracy, they helped him. Later, Apollos became better equipped and continued to bless the Church.

As we close this page and return to our own lives, perhaps you are teaching children at home, sharing Scripture in a small group, walking with a new believer, or talking with a friend about questions of faith. Remember this: truth is not a tool for pride. It is a gift that helps us love people, support people, and point them to Christ.

May today’s Scripture remind you to be deeply rooted in God’s Word and to remain humble and gentle when helping others. May your words not be used to display yourself, but to build others up. May your knowledge not become a reason for comparison, but a means of service. May God use you at the right time to help others understand His way more accurately and more deeply.

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