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NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Act_18:24-28
24Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. 25This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; 26and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27And when he wanted to go across to Achaia, the brethren encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him; and when he had arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace, 28for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
Act_18:24-28 This seems to be an account related to either
1. Priscilla and Aquila
2. John the Baptist's followers (it is not in chronological sequence)
3. its function as a letter of recommendation for Apolos by Paul
Act_18:24 "a Jew named Apollos" It is highly unusual for a Jew to be named after a Greek god. He was a highly educated and eloquent preacher (cf. Act_18:24 to Act_19:1). His ministry in Corinth was helpful, but became problematic when one of the three factions (supporters of Paul, Peter, Apollos, cf. 1 Corinthians 1-4) took him as their champion. He refused to return to Corinth (cf. 1Co_16:12).
▣ "an Alexandrian by birth" This was the second largest city of the Roman Empire, known for its large library and academic flavor. It had a large Jewish population (for which the Hebrew Bible was translated into Greek, the Septuagint) and was the home of Philo, a famous Jewish, neo-Platonist, allegorical scholar.
▣ "came to Ephesus" Acts is not a detailed, chronological writing. Paul had just left (cf. Act_18:23).
▣ "an eloquent man" This term in Koine Greek can mean either eloquent or educated. In the Septuagint logios is used of the oracles of God. Apollos was obviously more gifted in public speaking (Greek rhetoric) than Paul (compare 1Co_1:17; 1Co_2:1; 2Co_10:10; and 2Co_11:6). He was a powerful preacher!
▣ "and he was mighty in the Scriptures" The term "Scriptures" refers to the OT (cf. 1Th_2:13; 2Ti_3:16; 1Pe_1:23-25; 2Pe_1:20-21), with the exception of 2Pe_3:15-16, where Paul's writings (by analogy) are attributed inspired status. Apollos knew his OT well.
The word "mighty" is dunatos, which is used of Jesus' might in word and deed in Luk_24:19, and of Moses in Act_7:22.
Act_18:25 "This man had been instructed" This is a periphrastic pluperfect passive (cf. Luk_1:4). He had been trained in the teachings of Jesus, but only up to a certain level or time period. Curtis Vaughan, Acts, p. 118, footnote #2, lists the things Apollos may have known and preached.
1. John was the forerunner of the Messiah.
2. He pointed out the Messiah as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
3. Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah.
I also think that repentance was probably emphasized in his preaching because it was in both John's and Jesus' preaching.
▣ "in the way of the Lord" "The way" was the first title used to describe the followers of Jesus in Acts (cf. Act_9:2; Act_19:9; Act_19:23; Act_22:4; Act_24:14; Act_24:22; Joh_14:6). It was used often in the OT (cf. Deu_5:32-33; Deu_31:29; Psa_27:11; Isa_35:8), where it speaks of lifestyle faith. It is uncertain whether it has that meaning in this text (cf. Act_18:26).
Apollos also knew something about Jesus, but apparently it was His early earthly ministry and not the post-Calvary, post-resurrection gospel.
▣ "being fervent in spirit" This is literally "burning in spirit." This phrase is meant to describe the enthusiasm of Apollos for what he did know and understand about the life and teachings of Jesus.
▣ "being acquainted only with the baptism of John" This phrase about Apollos may have been the literary technique that Luke used to introduce the followers of John in Act_19:1-7. There were several heresies that developed in first century Palestine connected with John the Baptist's teaching and preaching.
John was the last OT prophet who prepared for the coming of the Messiah (cf. Isa_40:3; Mat_3:3), but he was not the first gospel preacher. If Apollos' preaching focused too much on John, then he missed the full significance of Jesus. Both John and Jesus emphasized "repentance," "faith," and "godly living." Both initially called the Jews to a new commitment to faith and practice (covenant faithfulness and personal faith in YHWH). However, Jesus' message developed into the bold assertion of His central place (e.g., John 10, 14), possibly this is what Apollos lacked.
Act_18:26 "he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue" This verb is used of Paul speaking to the Jews in the synagogue in Act_13:46; Act_14:3; Act_19:8 and before Festus in Act_26:26. Apollos was a powerful and effective preacher.
▣ "in the synagogue" Notice Priscilla and Aquila were also there. This was Paul's regular custom also.
▣ "Priscilla and Aquila" She is mentioned first several times, Act_18:18; Act_18:26; Rom_16:3; 2Ti_4:19. This is highly unusual. Possibly she was the strongest personality or of Roman nobility. In Act_18:2, Aquila is said to be Jewish, but never Priscilla. They were forced to leave Rome under Emperor Claudius' edict in a.d. 49. They met and befriended Paul in Corinth and followed him to Ephesus. The three of them were tent makers.
▣ "took him aside" This term is used to describe someone being accepted or received as a friend. It is uncertain how or where Priscilla and Aquila did this for Apollos. They may have talked to him privately or taken him home with them. Notice they did not embarrass him or challenge him publicly!
▣ "explained to him the way of God more accurately" He was teachable, which is rare for gifted, educated humans! He obviously responded to their fuller information about Jesus.
Act_18:27 "he wanted to go across to Achaia" The Greek manuscript D adds "at the urging of Corinthian Christians." He was their kind of preacher (Greek rhetorical style).
▣ "the brethren. . .wrote" Letters of recommendation from one church to another are referred to in Rom_16:1; 2Co_3:1; and 2 John. This was the early church's way of avoiding false and disruptive traveling preachers.
▣ "he greatly helped those who had believed through grace" There are two ways to understand this phrase.
1. this refers to believers already saved by grace (NASB, NKJV, NRSV, TEV)
2. this refers to God's gracious empowering of Apollos (NJB)
The main verb, helped, (contributed) is an aorist middle indicative. Apollos was a blessing!
The participle "believed" is a perfect active, implying they were already believers. Apollos was functioning as a discipler, not an evangelist, in Corinth.
Act_18:28 Apollos used the OT in the same way as Peter, Stephen, and Paul. Demonstrating from the OT that Jesus was the Messiah was a recurrent pattern in the sermons to the Jews in Acts (see note at Act_17:3).
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.
These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.
1. Why is Priscilla listed first so often in the New Testament?
2. How did Paul get to know Priscilla and Aquila? Why?
3. Did Priscilla and Aquila ever return to Rome? How do we know?
4. Compare Paul and Apollos' preaching styles.
5. Was Apollos a Christian before he visited with Aquila and Priscilla?
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