Leader in the New Testament: Women

In the New Testament different women play an important role in missionary activities. 

One of the women who is mentioned most frequently is Prisca (or Priscilla). She and her husband are mentioned in the book of Acts and in Paul’s letters. When Paul was staying in Corinth, he lived with them for a year and a half. After that, he travelled to Ephesus with them (Acts 18:1-3).

Paul’s close relationship with this couple is also clear from his letters. At the end of the first letter to the Corinthians, he includes their warm greetings (1 Corinthians 16:19) and at the end of the letter to the Romans, he calls them “my fellow workers” (Romans 16:3). It is interesting to note that Priscilla rather than Aquila, is mentioned first.

There are a few other women who played important roles in the church, such as Phoebe, “sister” and “deacon” (ESV), who served the church in Cenchreae. Another is Junia, Paul’s “fellow Jew”, who was very highly regarded among the apostles.

The fact that women are mentioned by name because of their contribution, and that they are mentioned even when their name is not known, indicates that they had a prominent role in the early Christian mission.