Prisca and Aquila
Prisca, also known as Priscilla, and Aquila are a prominent couple mentioned several times in the New Testament. They were tentmakers by trade, like Paul, and played a significant role in the early church. Their mention here highlights their continued faithfulness and service. Historically, they are known for their hospitality and teaching, having instructed Apollos in the way of God more accurately (Acts 18:26). Their inclusion in this greeting underscores the importance of lay leaders in the church and the impact of a godly household on the spread of the Gospel.

and the household of Onesiphorus
The phrase "the household of Onesiphorus" suggests a family or group associated with Onesiphorus, a believer noted for his service and support of Paul, especially during his imprisonment (2 Timothy 1:16-18). The mention of his household, rather than Onesiphorus himself, has led some scholars to speculate that Onesiphorus may have passed away by the time of this writing. This highlights the early Christian practice of honoring not just individuals but their families, recognizing the collective contribution to the faith community. It also reflects the communal nature of the early church, where entire households often came to faith together and served as centers of Christian life and witness.

Driven out of Rome by the decree of Claudius, which banished the Jews from the capital, they came to Corinth, where St. Paul became acquainted with them. But they were evidently Christians when St. Paul first met them, about A.D. 51-2. We hear of them in company with St. Paul at Corinth, about A.D. 52-3 (Acts 18:2); at Ephesus, about A.D. 55 (1Corinthians 16:19); and in the year A.D. 58 St. Paul sends greetings to them at Rome (Romans 16:3).

They were, evidently, among the many active and zealous teachers of the first days of the faith. That they possessed great ability as well as zeal is evident from the fact that it was from them that the eloquent and trained Alexandrian master, Apollos, learnt to be a Christian (Acts 18:26). In this place, and in several other passages, Prisca (or Priscilla) is named before her husband, Aquila. This would seem to hint that in this case the woman was the principal worker of the two in the cause of Christ. She, in fact, was one of that band of devoted holy women which the preaching of Christ and His disciples had called into existence: a representative of the great class of noble female workers which had no existence before Christ told the world what was the true position of women--until the same divine Master taught them that they, too, as well as men, had a work to work for Him here.

And the household of Onesiphorus.--St. Paul may have been aware that Onesiphorus was absent then from Ephesus; but this peculiar greeting, taken together with the words of 2Timothy 1:16, leads us irresistibly to the conclusion that this friend of St. Paul's was dead when the Epistle was written. (See Notes on 2Timothy 1:16.) . . .