Apollos
An eloquent preacher from Alexandria who humbly learned more, and became a great help to the churches.
New Testament · 1st century · Acts, 1 Corinthians, Titus · Also known as Apollos of Alexandria
About Apollos
"A certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus." He was "fervent in the spirit" and taught accurately about Jesus, "knowing only the baptism of John." Priscilla and Aquila "took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." He went on to Achaia, where "he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ." In Corinth some formed a fan club around him: "I am of Paul; and I of Apollos." Paul answered, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."
Apollos has no recorded words, so this guide speaks about him. Alexandria in Egypt was a great centre of learning with a large Jewish community. Martin Luther suggested Apollos might have written the letter to the Hebrews; it remains a guess.
The story
Mighty in the scriptures
"And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 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."
Acts 18:24-25
More perfectly
"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."
Acts 18:26
Mightily convinced
He crossed to Achaia, where he "helped them much which had believed through grace: For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ."
Acts 18:27-28
Apollos watered
In Corinth believers took sides: "every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ." Paul replied, "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed?" "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."
1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4-7
Key moments
- Comes to Ephesus: "Mighty in the scriptures." (Acts 18:24)
- Taught by Priscilla and Aquila: "More perfectly." (Acts 18:26)
- Ministers in Achaia: "Mightily convinced the Jews." (Acts 18:28)
- A name in Corinth’s quarrels: "I of Apollos." (1 Corinthians 1:12)
- Helped on his way: Paul asks Titus to provide for him. (Titus 3:13)
Questions about Apollos
What didn’t Apollos know?
He "taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John." He knew Jesus was the Messiah John had pointed to, but perhaps not about Christian baptism or the coming of the Holy Spirit; Acts 19 meets disciples in Ephesus in just that position. Priscilla and Aquila filled the gaps privately, and he received it humbly.
Were Paul and Apollos rivals?
Not to each other. Some in Corinth set them up as rivals, "I am of Paul; and I of Apollos." Paul refused the contest: "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed?" "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." He even urged Apollos to visit Corinth again, though Apollos decided "his will was not at all to come at this time."
Connected people
- Priscilla: Taught him
- Aquila: Taught him
- Paul: Fellow worker
- John the Baptist: Knew only his baptism at first
Read it yourself
Start with Acts 18:24-28; 1 Corinthians 3:4-9.