Who Was Apollos in the Bible — In Biblical Context
Apollos was an eloquent Jewish Christian from Alexandria, mighty in the Scriptures, who powerfully refuted the Jews and helped build the church at Corinth.
Apollos was an eloquent Jewish Christian from Alexandria, mighty in the Scriptures, who powerfully refuted the Jews and helped build the church at Corinth.
"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 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria, Egypt — a city renowned for learning — who came to Ephesus around AD 52. Luke describes him as 'an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures,' fervent in spirit, and accurate in teaching about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and 'expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.' He then went to Achaia, where he 'mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.' In Corinth, he became so popular that some believers formed factions around him, prompting Paul to write, 'I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.' Apollos was a powerful preacher, a humble learner, and a faithful laborer — but never a rival to Paul. His story reminds us that God's work requires many hands, and that even the most gifted need further instruction.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, Acts 18:24-25, sits inside Acts 18. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"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."
Supporting Passages
"For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ."
"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."
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