Bible Figure
Apollos
Apollos was an eloquent Jewish believer from Alexandria who was powerful in the Scriptures and became an important Christian teacher. Priscilla and Aquila helped him understand the way of God more accurately, after which he effectively demonstrated from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
Biography
Acts 18 introduces Apollos at Ephesus as a Jew from Alexandria, eloquent and competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and spoke fervently about Jesus, but he knew only the baptism of John. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him speaking boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately. When Apollos wished to go to Achaia, believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to receive him. In Corinth he greatly helped those who had believed through grace and vigorously refuted opponents publicly by showing from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. Paul's letters show that Apollos became a prominent teacher at Corinth, where some believers unfortunately formed party loyalties around Paul, Apollos, Cephas, or Christ. Paul rejected such rivalry, describing himself and Apollos as servants through whom the Corinthians believed and famously saying, 'I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.'
Biblical Significance
Apollos exemplifies gifted ministry joined with teachability. Although already learned and eloquent, he accepted private correction from Priscilla and Aquila and became more effective afterward. Paul's treatment of Apollos also teaches that Christian leaders are fellow servants, not competing personalities around whom churches should divide.