Bible Encyclopedia: Apollos

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

APOLLOS

a-pol'-os (Apollos, the short form of Apollonius): Apollos was a Jew of Alexandrian race (Acts 18:24) who reached Ephesus in the summer of 54 A.D., while Paul was on his third missionary journey, and there he "spake and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus" (Acts 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" (Acts 18:24, 25). His teaching was however incomplete in that he knew "only the baptism of John" (Acts 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 John 1:28). Upon receiving further instruction from Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:26), Apollos extended his mission to Achaia, being encouraged thereto by the brethren of Ephesus (Acts 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" (Acts 18:27, 28). During Apollos' absences in Achaia, Paul had reached Ephesus and learned of what had been taught by Apollos there. (Acts 19:1). Since Paul was informed that the Ephesians still knew nothing of the baptism of the Spirit (Acts 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 (Acts 19:8, 10), and in the spring of 57 A.D. he wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians. By this time Apollos was once more in Ephesus (compare 1 Corinthians 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 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 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 (1 Corinthians 16:12). The epistle voiced the indignation of both. Paul welcomed the cooperation of Apollos (1 Corinthians 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" (1 Corinthians 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 1 Corinthians 12:1-7 2 Corinthians 3:1; 2 Corinthians 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 A.D. See TITUS, EPISTLE TO.

C. M. Kerr

Greek

625. Apollos -- Apollos, an Alexandrian Jewish Christian
... 624, 625. Apollos. 626 . Apollos, an Alexandrian Jewish Christian. Part
of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: Apollos Phonetic ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/625.htm - 6k

Library

Apollos at Corinth
... Lesson 26 Apollos at Corinth. [This chapter is based on Acts 18:18-28.] After
leaving Corinth, Paul's next scene of labor was Ephesus. ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 26 apollos at corinth.htm

The Conversion of Apollos, his Character, and the Ministry of Paul ...
... APOSTOLIC CHURCH. CHAPTER VIII. THE CONVERSION OF APOLLOS, HIS CHARACTER,
AND THE MINISTRY OF PAUL IN EPHESUS. AD54 TO AD57. The ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter viii the conversion of.htm

Concerning the Monks of Thebais: Apollos, Dorotheus; Concerning ...
... Chapter XXIX."Concerning the Monks of Thebaïs: Apollos, Dorotheus; concerning Piammon,
John, Mark, Macarius, Apollodorus, Moses, Paul, who was in Ferma ...
/.../chapter xxix concerning the monks of.htm

That those Need not Fear the Neighbourhood of their Kinsfolk, who ...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter IX. That those need not fear the neighbourhood
of their kinsfolk, who can emulate the mortification of Abbot Apollos. ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter ix that those need.htm

Servants and Lords
... 'All things are yours; 22. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or
life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/servants and lords.htm

General Note.
... As I have not infrequently treated the rise of the great Alexandrian school as an
outcrop from the learning and piety of Apollos, I take this space to record ...
/.../the acts of the disputation with the heresiarch manes/general note.htm

The Purpose of the Apostle in These Words.
... dissensions had sprung up among the Corinthian Christians, so that every one was
saying, "I, indeed, am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos, and another, I ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 9 v the purpose of.htm

Corinthians iii. 21-23.
... All things are yours; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life,
or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; and ye are ...
/.../arnold/the christian life/lecture vii corinthians iii 21-23.htm

1 Cor. Iv. 6
... Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos
for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to think of men above that which ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xii 1 cor iv.htm

Two Fruitful Years
... 'And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth ... It is tempting to bring
it into connection with the immediately preceding narrative as to Apollos. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/two fruitful years.htm

Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary

Apollos

one who destroys; destroyer

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Apollos

(given by Apollo) a Jew from Alexandria, eloquent (which may also mean learned) and mighty in the Scriptures; one instructed in the way of the Lord, according to the imperfect view of the disciples of John the Baptist, (Acts 18:24) but on his coming to Ephesus during a temporary absence of St. Paul, A.D. 54, more perfectly taught by Aquila and Priscilla. After this he became a preacher of the gospel, first in Achaia and then in Corinth. (Acts 18:27; 19:1) When the apostle wrote his First Epistle to the Corinthians, Apollos was with or near him, (1 Corinthians 16:12) probably at Ephesus in A.D. 57. He is mentioned but once more in the New Testament, in (Titus 3:13) After this nothing is known of him. Tradition makes him bishop of Caesarea.

ATS Bible Dictionary

Apollos

A Jew of Alexandria, a learned and eloquent man, who through the Scriptures and the ministry of John the Baptist became a Christian. He visited Ephesus about A. D. 54, and publicly proclaimed his faith in Christ; whereupon he was further instructed in gospel truth. Passing thence into Achia, he preached with great power and success, especially among the Jews, Acts 19:1 1 1 Corinthians 3:6. His character was not unlike that of Paul; they were equally grieved at the dissension of the Corinthians, and at those personal partialities which led many away from Christ, 1 1 Corinthians 3:4-22 16:12; and they cooperated to the end in serving him, Titus 3:13. Jerome is of opinion that Apollos afterwards returned to Corinth from Crete.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

A Jew "born at Alexandria," a man well versed in the Scriptures and eloquent (Acts 18:24; R.V., "learned"). He came to Ephesus (about A.D. 49), where he spake "boldly" in the synagogue (18:26), although he did not know as yet that Jesus of Nazareth was the Messiah. Aquila and Priscilla instructed him more perfectly in "the way of God", i.e., in the knowledge of Christ. He then proceeded to Corinth, where he met Paul (Acts 18:27; 19:1). He was there very useful in watering the good seed Paul had sown (1 Corinthians 1:12), and in gaining many to Christ. His disciples were much attached to him (1 Corinthians 3:4-7, 22). He was with Paul at Ephesus when he wrote the First Epistle to the Corinthians; and Paul makes kindly reference to him in his letter to Titus (3:13). Some have supposed, although without sufficient ground, that he was the author of the Epistle to the Hebrews.

Thesaurus

Apollos (11 Occurrences)
... Some have supposed, although without sufficient ground, that he was the author of
the Epistle to the Hebrews. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. APOLLOS. ...
/a/apollos.htm - 16k

Apol'los (10 Occurrences)
Apol'los. Apollos, Apol'los. Apollyon . Multi-Version Concordance
Apol'los (10 Occurrences). Acts 18:24 And a certain Jew, Apollos...
/a/apol'los.htm - 9k

Zenas (1 Occurrence)
... And he adds the injunction that he desires him to "bring Zenas the lawyer and
Apollos"-Paul's old friend from Alexandria-with him "on their journey diligently ...
/z/zenas.htm - 10k

Belong (127 Occurrences)
... One man says "I belong to Paul;" another "I belong to Apollos;" a third "I
belong to Peter;" a fourth "I belong to Christ." (WEY RSV). ...
/b/belong.htm - 35k

Figure (19 Occurrences)
... form or appearance," "to transfer figuratively" (1 Corinthians 4:6,"These things,
brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos"; the Geneva ...
/f/figure.htm - 19k

Opportunity (35 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through
whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him? (See NAS). ...
/o/opportunity.htm - 17k

Eloquent (4 Occurrences)
... 3 the Revised Version (British and American) bin, "intelligent," is rendered "skilful
(enchanter)," the King James Version "eloquent (orator)." Apollos was "an ...
/e/eloquent.htm - 8k

Cephas (8 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 1:12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, "I follow Paul,"
"I follow Apollos," "I follow Cephas," and, "I follow Christ." (WEB KJV ASV BBE ...
/c/cephas.htm - 9k

Corinth (13 Occurrences)
... 18). Here he first became aquainted with Aquila and Priscilla, and soon
after his departure Apollos came to it from Ephesus. After ...
/c/corinth.htm - 21k

Evangelist (2 Occurrences)
... in the koine to abbreviate proper names, as it is today, for that matter (compare
Amphias from Amphiatos, Antipas from Antipatros, Apollos from Apollonias ...
/e/evangelist.htm - 23k

Bible Concordance

Apollos (11 Occurrences)

Acts 18:24 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Acts 19:1 It happened that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having passed through the upper country, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Corinthians 1:12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," "I follow Cephas," and, "I follow Christ."
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Corinthians 3:4 For when one says, "I follow Paul," and another, "I follow Apollos," aren't you fleshly?
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed; and each as the Lord gave to him?
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Corinthians 3:6 I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Corinthians 3:9 Apollos and I are simply fellow workers for and with God, and you are *God's* field-- *God's* building.
(WEY)

1 Corinthians 3:22 whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come. All are yours,
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Corinthians 4:6 Now these things, brothers, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that in us you might learn not to think beyond the things which are written, that none of you be puffed up against one another.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

1 Corinthians 16:12 Now concerning Apollos, the brother, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers; and it was not at all his desire to come now; but he will come when he has an opportunity.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Titus 3:13 Send Zenas, the lawyer, and Apollos on their journey speedily, that nothing may be lacking for them.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Subtopics

Apollos

Apollos: An Eloquent, Christian Convert at Corinth

Apollos: Paul Writes Titus About

Apollos: Refuses to Return to Rome

Related Terms

Apol'los (10 Occurrences)

Zenas (1 Occurrence)

Belong (127 Occurrences)

Figure (19 Occurrences)

Opportunity (35 Occurrences)

Eloquent (4 Occurrences)