Apollos
Summary
An eloquent Alexandrian Jew who became a powerful Christian preacher, known for his scriptural knowledge and his ministry at Corinth after being more fully instructed by Aquila and Priscilla.
☩Background and Gifts
Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria, Egypt, described as 'a learned man' or 'eloquent' and 'mighty in the Scriptures.' Alexandria was the center of Hellenistic learning and home to the famous Septuagint translation of the Old Testament, which helps explain Apollos's scriptural expertise. He was 'instructed in the way of the Lord' and 'fervent in spirit,' speaking and teaching diligently the things concerning Jesus. However, his knowledge was incomplete, as he knew 'only the baptism of John'—meaning he understood John the Baptist's teaching about the coming Messiah but may not have known that Jesus had been crucified, risen, and ascended, or that the Spirit had been poured out at Pentecost.
☩Further Instruction
When Apollos came to Ephesus around AD 54, during Paul's third missionary journey, his fervent preaching in the synagogue attracted the attention of Aquila and Priscilla, whom Paul had left there. These devoted Christians, recognizing both his gifts and his limitations, took him aside privately and 'expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.' This humble reception of instruction from tentmakers demonstrates Apollos's teachable spirit, and he thereafter proclaimed the full gospel with even greater power.
☩Ministry at Corinth
After receiving fuller instruction, Apollos desired to go to Achaia, and the Ephesian brethren wrote letters of recommendation to the disciples there. At Corinth, he 'mightily convinced the Jews publicly, showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was Christ.' Paul later described their complementary ministries: 'I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.' This imagery depicts Apollos building upon Paul's foundation work at Corinth with his persuasive scriptural teaching.
☩The Corinthian Factions
When Paul wrote his first letter to the Corinthians, some there were saying 'I am of Apollos' as others said 'I am of Paul' or 'I am of Cephas.' Paul strongly rebuked this divisive spirit, using his own name and that of Apollos to teach the lesson without naming local leaders. There is no indication that Apollos encouraged this party spirit; rather, when Paul urged him to return to Corinth, Apollos was unwilling to go at that time, perhaps to avoid exacerbating the factional strife.
☩Later References
The final New Testament reference to Apollos occurs in Paul's letter to Titus, where the apostle asks Titus to 'bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.' This shows that Apollos remained in Christian fellowship and ministry. Later tradition makes him bishop of Caesarea, though this cannot be verified. Some have suggested he may have authored the Epistle to the Hebrews, given his Alexandrian learning and scriptural expertise, though this remains speculation.
Related Verses10 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Apollos," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Apollos," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Apollos," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).
- 4.George Morrish, "Apollos," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).
- 5.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Apollos," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).