Alexandrian Jewish Christian preacher
c. AD 20–80 · New Testament
The eloquent Jewish believer from Alexandria who taught 'mighty in the scriptures' (Acts 18:24) — corrected and discipled by Aquila and Priscilla, then a powerful preacher in Corinth and Ephesus.
Apollos was a Jewish man from Alexandria (Egypt) — a great center of Jewish learning, where the Septuagint had been produced. Acts 18:24-28 introduces him. He was 'an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures.' He had been instructed in 'the way of the Lord,' was 'fervent in the spirit,' and taught diligently the things of the Lord — 'knowing only the baptism of John.' His knowledge of the gospel was real but incomplete — he understood John the Baptist's message but not yet the full apostolic teaching about Jesus' death, resurrection, and the gift of the Spirit. Apollos came to Ephesus and began preaching in the synagogue. Aquila and Priscilla (Paul's friends) heard him and 'took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly' (Acts 18:26). They humbly discipled this eloquent preacher. After being more fully instructed, Apollos went to Achaia, where he was 'a great help' to believers, 'mightily convincing the Jews, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ' (Acts 18:28). He ministered powerfully in Corinth (Acts 19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:12; 3:5-9). Paul considered him a colleague: 'I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase' (1 Corinthians 3:6). Some Corinthians formed factions ('I am of Paul; and I of Apollos') — Paul rebuked this. Paul and Apollos themselves had no rivalry; Paul commended him to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:12) and to Titus (Titus 3:13). Some have suggested Apollos as a possible author of Hebrews (Martin Luther's guess) because of its Alexandrian style and theology — though this is speculation. Apollos models the eloquent gospel preacher who is also humble and teachable, who can rightly handle the Scriptures, and who serves the church faithfully.
"Mighty in the scriptures"
Incomplete knowledge
Couple instructing the eloquent preacher
Convincing Jews from Scripture
Colleagues in ministry
Ongoing ministry
Apollos's significance: (1) He is the model of the eloquent, scripture-saturated gospel preacher. (2) His teachability — accepting correction from Aquila and Priscilla — is a model for all teachers. (3) His Corinthian ministry was effective and complemented Paul's. (4) His example shows that women (Priscilla) can teach men in private discipleship contexts. (5) The factionalism around his name (with Paul) prompted Paul's important teaching on Christian unity (1 Corinthians 3:1-9).
Apollos was an eloquent Jewish believer from Alexandria, 'mighty in the scriptures' (Acts 18:24). He preached the way of the Lord, though initially knowing only John's baptism. Aquila and Priscilla instructed him more fully. He then ministered powerfully in Corinth and Ephesus, becoming a key colleague of Paul. 'I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase' (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Colleagues, not rivals. Paul affirms Apollos as a fellow worker (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). Paul commended Apollos to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 16:12) and Titus (Titus 3:13). The Corinthians, however, formed factions ('I am of Paul; and I of Apollos'), which Paul rebuked. Different ministers, same Lord; different roles, same gospel.
Possibly. Martin Luther proposed Apollos as the author of Hebrews because of (a) the book's eloquent Greek, (b) its Alexandrian style of OT interpretation, (c) Apollos's reputation as 'mighty in the scriptures.' Other candidates include Paul, Barnabas, Luke, and Priscilla. The author of Hebrews is unknown; Apollos is one reasonable candidate. The early church received Hebrews based on its content and apostolic connection, not its named author.
(1) Eloquence + scripture knowledge make for powerful preaching. (2) Teachability — accept correction from those who know more, even if they're lower in status. (3) Private discipleship matters — Priscilla and Aquila quietly shaped a major preacher. (4) Different gifts serve the same body. (5) Don't form factions around favorite teachers. (6) Continue learning — even gifted teachers need ongoing growth.