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Apollos

Apollos, an eloquent and learned Jewish Christian from Alexandria, was an important figure in the early church who worked alongside Paul in spreading the gospel.

The name Apollos means “one who destroys; destroyer”

MaleNew Testament eraNew Testament3 books12 verses

Summary

A man living at the time of the New Testament, first mentioned at Acts 18:24; only referred to as Apollos (Ἀπολλῶς).

Profile

Apollos was a Greek-speaking Jew who knew the Scriptures well. He became a strong evangelist (someone who shared the good news about Jesus with many people) and a Christian apologist (someone who defended Christian beliefs). He was from Alexandria, Egypt, which had a large Jewish community. Apollos likely learned from John the Baptist's followers. He then preached boldly and enthusiastically about Jesus in Jewish synagogues, even though he did not know about Christian baptism.

When Priscilla and Aquila heard Apollos preach in Ephesus, they invited him to their home. They explained the way of Christ to him more fully. The believers in Ephesus encouraged him because they saw that God had gifted him for ministry. Then, Apollos traveled to the city of Corinth in Achaia. There, he greatly helped the believers. He was an effective defender of the good news about Jesus in public debates with the Jews. He boldly showed that Jesus is the Messiah (God's chosen one) as predicted in Scripture (Acts 18:24–28).

Apollos was a skilled speaker. He was popular with some Christians in Corinth because of his intellectual style. His strong ministry attracted some people more than Paul's did (1 Corinthians 1:11–12). Paul defended his own simple way of preaching the good news about Jesus, possibly due to comparisons with Apollos.

Importantly, Paul never criticized Apollos. He called Apollos a fellow servant and appreciated the work Apollos did. Apollos continued the work that Paul had started, and God blessed both their efforts ("I planted the seed and Apollos watered it," 1 Corinthians 3:5–9; 4:1). Instead, Paul criticized the shallow views and divisions among those who followed Apollos for superficial reasons (see 1 Corinthians 1:10–12; 3:3–4; 4:6–7).

Apollos may have hesitated to return to Corinth from Ephesus because of the divisions his ministry caused (1 Corinthians 16:12). However, Paul encouraged him to go back eventually. Several years later, while Apollos was working on the island of Crete, Paul urged Titus to ensure Apollos's needs were met as he departed for an unknown destination for more missionary work (Titus 3:13). Apollos, with his strong intellect and powerful speaking skills, had a different approach and style from Paul, yet both were effective and useful in serving Christ.

Passages for Further Study

Acts 18:24–19:1; 1 Corinthians 1:10–12; 3:3–9; 4:1, 6–7; 16:12; 2 Corinthians 10:10; Titus 3:13

Events

Dates are approximate

Glossary entries

Apollos

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 2 verses that refer to Apollos without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. 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.
  2. Acts 19:1
    While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples
  3. 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.”
  4. 1 Corinthians 3:4
    For when one of you says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?
  5. 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.
  6. 1 Corinthians 3:6
    I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.
  7. 1 Corinthians 3:7Referred to, not named
    So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
  8. 1 Corinthians 3:8Referred to, not named
    He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
  9. 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,
  10. 1 Corinthians 4:6
    Brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us not to go beyond what is written. Then you will not take pride in one man over another.
  11. 1 Corinthians 16:12
    Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
  12. Titus 3:13
    Do your best to equip Zenas the lawyer and Apollos, so that they will have everything they need.