Apollos Ἀπολλῶς
Eloquent Jewish Christian from Alexandria, co-worker with Paul
Who is Apollos in the Bible?
Apollos was an eloquent and learned Jewish Christian from Alexandria who became a prominent figure in the early church during the apostolic era (Acts 18:24). Though well-versed in Scripture and passionate in his preaching about Jesus, he initially knew only John's baptism until Priscilla and Aquila provided him with more complete Christian instruction in Ephesus (Acts 18:25-26). He subsequently traveled to Achaia, where he powerfully defended the faith and helped believers there through his skillful debates with Jewish opponents (Acts 18:27-28). Paul mentions Apollos in 1 Corinthians as a respected co-worker whose ministry had created factions among Corinthian believers, though Paul emphasized that both he and Apollos were merely servants working together in God's plan (1 Corinthians 3:4-6). Apollos exemplifies the importance of continued spiritual growth and the collaborative nature of apostolic ministry in the early church.
Biography
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.
In Scripture
3 biblical books ; 3 with study contentActs 2 verses
- Acts 18:24
"Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures."
Study Acts → - Acts 19:1
"While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples"
Study Acts →
1 Corinthians 5 verses
- 1 Corinthians 1:12
"What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”"
Study 1 Corinthians → - 1 Corinthians 3:4
"For when one of you says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?"
Study 1 Corinthians → - 1 Corinthians 3:5
"What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role."
Study 1 Corinthians → - 1 Corinthians 3:6
"I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow."
Study 1 Corinthians → - 1 Corinthians 3:22
"whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future. All of them belong to you,"
Study 1 Corinthians →
Titus 1 verse
- Titus 3:13
"Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they will have everything they need."
Study Titus →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Greek | Ἀπολλῶς |
Encyclopedia Article
ISBE 1915 (Public Domain) Apollos
ary journey, and there he "spake and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus" (Ac 18:25). That he was eminently fitted for the task is indicated by the fact of his being a "learned man," "mighty in the scriptures," "fervent in spirit," "instructed in the way of the Lord" (Ac 18:24,25). His teaching was however incomplete in that he knew "only the baptism of John" (Ac 18:25), and this has given rise to some controversy. According to Blass, his information was derived from a written gospel which reached Alexandria, but it was more probably the fruits of what Apollos had heard, either directly or from others, of the preaching of John the Baptist at Bethany beyond Jordan (compare Joh 1:28). Upon receiving further instruction from Priscilla and Aquila (Ac 18:26), Apollos extended his mission to Achaia, being encouraged thereto by the brethren of Ephesus (Ac 18:27).
In Achaia "he helped them much that had believed through grace; for he powerfully confuted the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ" (Ac 18:27,28). During Apollos' absences in Achaia, Paul had reached Ephesus and learned of what had been taught by Apollos there. (Ac 19:1). Since Paul was informed that the Ephesians still knew nothing of the baptism of the Spirit (Ac 19:2-4), it is probable that Apollos had not imparted to his hearers the further instruction he had received from Priscilla and Aquila, but had departed for Achaia shortly after receiving it. Paul remained upward of two years among the Ephesians (Ac 19:8,10), and in the spring of 57 AD he wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians. By this time Apollos was once more in Ephesus (compare 1Co 16:12). It is incredible that this epistle of Paul could have been prompted by any feelings of jealousy or animosity on his part against Apollos. It was rather the outcome of discussion between the two regarding the critical situation then existing in Corinth.
The mission of Apollos had met with a certain success, but the breeding of faction, which that very success, through the slight discrepancies in his teaching (compare 1Co 1:12; 3:4) with that of Paul or of Cephas, had engendered, was utterly alien to his intentions. The party spirit was as distasteful to Apollos as it was to Paul, and made him reluctant to return to the scene of his former labors even at the desire of Paul himself (1Co 16:12). The epistle voiced the indignation of both. Paul welcomed the cooperation of Apollos (1Co 3:6: "I planted, Apollos watered"). It was not against his fellow-evangelist that he fulminated, but against the petty spirit of those who loved faction more than truth, who saw not that both he and Apollos came among them as "God's fellow-workers" (1Co 3:9), the common servants of the one Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
This view is also borne out by the tenor of Clement's Epistle to the Corinthians (compare Hennecke, Neutestamentliche Apokryphen, 84-112, especially 105): nor does it conflict with the passages 1Co 12:1-7; 2Co 3:1; 11:16, where Paul seems to allude to Apollos' eloquence, wisdom, and letter of commendation. Paul wrote thus not in order to disparage Apollos but to affirm that, even without these incidental advantages, he would yield to none in the preaching of Christ crucified.
The last mention of Apollos is in the Epistle to Titus, where he is recommended along with Zenas to Titus (Titus 3:13). He was then on a journey through Crete (Titus 3:15), and was probably the bearer of the epistle. The time of this is uncertain, as the writing of the Epistle to Titus, though generally admitted to have been after the release of Paul from imprisonment at Rome, has been variously placed at 64-67 AD. See TITUS, EPISTLE TO.
C. M. Kerr
a-pol'-i-on (Apolluon; 'abhaddon, "destroyer"): Present participle of the verb apolluo, "to destroy."
IDefinition
A proper name, original with the author of the Apocalypse and used by him once (<ref os