Who Was Apollos?
Apollos appears in the New Testament as a gifted communicator and teacher of the early church. Acts 18:24 introduces him as "a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, [who] came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures." His background in Alexandria, a major center of Jewish learning and philosophy, equipped him with remarkable intellectual abilities and rhetorical skills that made him an effective spokesperson for the faith.
What makes Apollos particularly endearing is his humble receptiveness to correction. Despite his eloquence and knowledge, Acts 18:25-26 reveals a critical gap in his understanding: "He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately." This moment shows us that even knowledgeable believers need ongoing instruction and refinement in their understanding of God's truth.
After receiving this mentoring, Apollos became a powerful force for the gospel. Acts 18:27-28 tells us that "when Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On arrival, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah."
Apollos in the Corinthian Church
Apollos eventually ministered in Corinth, where his eloquence and appeal created some unintended complications. In 1 Corinthians 1:12 and 3:4-6, Paul addresses divisions in the church where some members were saying, "I follow Paul" while others said, "I follow Apollos." Rather than pitting himself against Apollos, Paul used this situation to teach profound spiritual truth. He wrote, "I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow" (1 Corinthians 3:6), emphasizing that all Christian workers are merely servants cooperating in God's larger work.
This reveals Apollos's character beautifully. There's no indication he encouraged division; rather, his gift and popularity simply became a test of the Corinthians' spiritual maturity. Paul later mentions in 1 Corinthians 16:12 that he had urged Apollos to visit Corinth again, suggesting no tension existed between the two leaders despite how some believers had created competing loyalties.
Learning from Apollos Today
Apollos teaches us several vital lessons for our spiritual journey. First, we see that intellectual ability and biblical knowledge, while valuable, aren't sufficient without complete understanding of Christ's work. Second, we learn the blessing of mentorship—Apollos allowed experienced believers like Priscilla and Aquila to deepen his faith rather than defensively holding to incomplete understanding. For us in Canada's modern church, this speaks powerfully: we must remain humble learners throughout our lives, regardless of our gifts or position.
Finally, Apollos reminds us that our primary purpose isn't building personal followings but advancing Christ's kingdom cooperatively. When our ministries, talents, or popularity create division, we must follow Paul's example of redirecting focus to Jesus and his work through all faithful servants.
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow." — 1 Corinthians 3:6-7