Apollos, an eloquent and learned Jewish Christian from Alexandria, was an important figure in the early church who worked alongside Paul in spreading the gospel.
Apollos was a prominent Jewish Christian from Alexandria, known for his eloquence, knowledge of the Scriptures, and effectiveness in preaching the gospel. He is first mentioned in the book of Acts as a learned man who spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. After receiving further instruction from Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus, Apollos went to Achaia and greatly helped the believers there, vigorously refuting the Jews in public debate and proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.
In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, Apollos is mentioned as one of the leaders that some of the Corinthian believers were aligning themselves with, alongside Paul and Cephas (Peter). Paul clarifies that both he and Apollos are merely servants through whom the Corinthians came to believe, each serving the role God had assigned to them. Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God made it grow. Paul also mentions Apollos as a positive example when discussing the need for humility and unity among believers.
Later, in Paul's letter to Titus, Apollos is mentioned again as someone Paul encourages Titus to help on his journey, together with Zenas the lawyer. This suggests that Apollos continued to be actively involved in ministry and was a valued co-worker in spreading the gospel message.
Priscilla and Aquila instruct Apollos
Teacher & studentStated in the textWhen Apollos preached in Ephesus knowing only the baptism of John, Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately. Priscilla is named first in several places, which many take as a sign of her prominence.
Sources: Scripture
Apollos and Paul at Corinth
WorkStated in the textApollos, an eloquent Alexandrian Jew, watered what Paul had planted in Corinth. Paul insists they are co-workers, not rivals, and he urges Apollos to revisit Corinth.
Sources: Scripture
Apollos of Alexandria
HometownStated in the textActs says Apollos was a native of Alexandria, a learned man mighty in the Scriptures, which has made him a popular candidate for the background of Alexandrian-style interpretation in the NT.
Where the text shows it: Acts 18:24 — A native of Alexandria, eloquent and powerful in the Scriptures Sources: Scripture
Did Apollos write Hebrews?
WorkHypothesisHebrews is anonymous. Luther suggested Apollos, noting the Alexandrian style and scriptural skill. Others propose Barnabas (early North African tradition, Tertullian), Priscilla, or Paul. Origen concluded only God knows who wrote it.
Where the text shows it: Acts 18:24-28 — Apollos is eloquent and mighty in the ScripturesHebrews 13:23 — Timothy is mentioned as freed, and greetings come from Italy Ways people read this (4)
- Apollos: Luther, and many modern scholars, on style and Alexandrian background.
- Barnabas: Tertullian and a North African tradition, since he was a Levite.
- Paul: traditional Eastern view, though styles differ and Hebrews is anonymous.
- Priscilla: a modern proposal (Harnack).
Sources: Tertullian, On Modesty 20 · Origen, in Eusebius, Church History 6.25 · Martin Luther
John's baptism still alive in Ephesus
RoleStated in the textActs says Apollos knew only the baptism of John when he taught at Ephesus, and Paul soon met twelve disciples who had only John's baptism. So John's movement persisted outside Judea a generation later.
Sources: Scripture
Apollos Hastings Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible (1898)
APOL'LOS (belonging to Apollo), born at Alexandria, in Egypt, of Jewish parents, and described as an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures. Acts 18:24. As one of John's disciples he had been instructed in the elements of the Christian faith, but coming to Ephesus, a.d. 54, during the temporary absence of Paul, was more fully taught the doctrines of the gospel by Aquila and Priscilla, who had themselves been favored with the company and instruction of Paul at Corinth and on a voyage from that city to Ephesus. He afterward preached with abundant success in Achaia and at Corinth. Paul had already been instrumental in establishing a church there, to the care of which Apollos succeeded. 1 Cor 3:6. The members of it were divided into parties, some being particularly partial to Paul, others to Apollos, and others still to Cephas or Peter. The rebuke of the apostle, 1 Cor 1:12, is directed against these partialities, in all which the power and grace of God seemed to be overlooked or disregarded. When Paul wrote his Epistle it is likely Apollos was either with him or near him, probably at Ephesus, a.d. 57. From 1 Cor 16:12 we learn that in consequence of these dissensions Apollos absolutely declined to go to Corinth. It has been remarked as an exemplary trait of character of these two eminent apostles that the contentions of their respective friends and admirers had no effect on their love and respect for each other. They both refrained from visiting the church while it was distracted with such prejudices and partialities, though a worldly ambition might have selected it as the field and the season of self-aggrandizement. Apollos is last mentioned Tit 3:13, and very affectionately. He was probably a more brilliant man than Paul. Some scholars consider him to have been the…
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Apollos Schaff Schaff’s Dictionary of the Bible
APOL'LOS (belonging to Apollo), born at Alexandria, in Egypt, of Jewish parents, and described as an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures. Acts 18:24. As one of John's disciples he had been instructed in the elements of the Christian faith, but coming to Ephesus, a.d. 54, during the temporary absence of Paul, was more fully taught the doctrines of the gospel by Aquila and Priscilla, who had themselves been favored with the company and instruction of Paul at Corinth and on a voyage from that city to Ephesus. He afterward preached with abundant success in Achaia and at Corinth. Paul had already been instrumental in establishing a church there, to the care of which Apollos succeeded. 1 Cor 3:6. The members of it were divided into parties, some being particularly partial to Paul, others to Apollos, and others still to Cephas or Peter. The rebuke of the apostle, 1 Cor 1:12, is directed against these partialities, in all which the power and grace of God seemed to be overlooked or disregarded. When Paul wrote his Epistle it is likely Apollos was either with him or near him, probably at Ephesus, a.d. 57. From 1 Cor 16:12 we learn that in consequence of these dissensions Apollos absolutely declined to go to Corinth. It has been remarked as an exemplary trait of character of these two eminent apostles that the contentions of their respective friends and admirers had no effect on their love and respect for each other. They both refrained from visiting the church while it was distracted with such prejudices and partialities, though a worldly ambition might have selected it as the field and the season of self-aggrandizement. Apollos is last mentioned Tit 3:13, and very affectionately. He was probably a more brilliant man than Paul. Some scholars consider him to have been the…
Read the full entry →
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
10 verses in 3 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s G0625