Apollos

Biblical Record

According to Acts 18:24-28, Apollos was a Jew born in Alexandria. Described as "an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures," he came to Ephesus and taught diligently and accurately the things concerning Jesus. However, he knew only the baptism of John the Baptist. After hearing him teach in the synagogue, the married couple Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and "expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly." Apollos then received a letter of recommendation from the believers in Ephesus and crossed over to Achaia, the region that included Corinth. There he helped those who had believed, and he publicly debated the Jews, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. Acts 19:1 records that Apollos was in Corinth when Paul arrived in Ephesus.

1 Corinthians reports that factions had formed in the Corinthian church, with members saying, "I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas" (that is, Peter) (1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:4). Paul writes, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6), presenting the two men as fellow workers engaged in the same task. In 1 Corinthians 16:12, Paul notes that he had repeatedly urged Apollos to go to Corinth, but Apollos was not willing to go at that time and would come when he had the opportunity. In Titus 3:13, Paul asks that Apollos and Zenas the lawyer be helped on their journey.

Significance in Scripture

Apollos illustrates the important role that teachers who were not apostles played in the early church. The scene in which he, already an accomplished teacher, is instructed by a lay couple is often read as an example showing that those who teach must also continue to learn. In 1 Corinthians his name appears as the label of one of the church's factions. Paul does not treat him as a rival; instead, he emphasizes that ministers are only God's servants (1 Corinthians 3:5-9; 4:6).

Interpretations and Debated Issues

• The question of baptism: Although the text records that Apollos knew only John's baptism, it does not say whether he was later baptized again. In the passage that immediately follows, Acts 19:1-7, disciples in Ephesus who had received only John's baptism are baptized in the name of Jesus. Some interpreters connect this episode with Apollos's teaching, but the text does not directly link the two.
• Authorship of Hebrews: Martin Luther is known to have suggested that Apollos may have written the Epistle to the Hebrews. Some scholars also support this view on the basis of his background and knowledge of Scripture. However, because Hebrews does not identify its author, this remains a conjecture.
• Some have also speculated that the Jewish scholarly tradition of Alexandria influenced his interpretation of Scripture, but the Bible contains no record of this.

In the Korean Church

1 Corinthians 3:6 is frequently cited in Korean church sermons. It is mainly used to warn against factionalism within the church or to explain that church planters and their successors, as well as evangelists and those who disciple new believers, must work together. The scene in which Priscilla and Aquila teach Apollos often serves as an illustration in sermons and Bible studies on lay ministry, one-to-one discipleship, and a humble, teachable attitude.