Who Was Apollos in the Bible?

Apollos was a Jew of Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures, who taught accurately what he knew of Jesus and knew only the baptism of John until Priscilla and Aquila expounded the way of God to him more perfectly. Acts 18:24Acts 18:24 · King James VersionAnd a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.Acts 18:24 · King James VersionOpen source (1) is that introduction. The Greek name is Apollōs.

Key Points

• Acts 18:24Acts 18:24 · King James VersionAnd a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.Acts 18:24 · King James VersionOpen source calls him a Jew, born at Alexandria, eloquent, and mighty in the scriptures.
• Acts 18:25–26Acts 18:25–26 · King James Version^18:25 This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. ^18:26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.Acts 18:25–26 · King James VersionOpen source says he was instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in the spirit, and knew only the baptism of John. Aquila and Priscilla took him and expounded the way of God more perfectly.
• Acts 18:28Acts 18:28 · King James VersionFor he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.Acts 18:28 · King James VersionOpen source says he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
• 1 Corinthians 3:61 Corinthians 3:6 · King James VersionI have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.1 Corinthians 3:6 · King James VersionOpen source says Paul planted, Apollos watered, and God gave the increase.
• 1 Corinthians 1:121 Corinthians 1:12 · King James VersionNow this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.1 Corinthians 1:12 · King James VersionOpen source says some in Corinth were saying “I am of Apollos,” in a list with Paul, Cephas, and Christ.
• Titus 3:13Titus 3:13 · King James VersionBring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.Titus 3:13 · King James VersionOpen source asks that Zenas and Apollos be brought on their journey. The New Testament does not narrate his death.
• Who Wrote the Book of Hebrews? records that later readers have suggested Apollos. Acts does not say he wrote that letter.

What Acts Says

Acts 18:24Acts 18:24 · King James VersionAnd a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.Acts 18:24 · King James VersionOpen source (1): “And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.” Acts 18:25Acts 18:25 · King James VersionThis man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.Acts 18:25 · King James VersionOpen source (2): “This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.” Acts 18:26Acts 18:26 · King James VersionAnd he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.Acts 18:26 · King James VersionOpen source (3): “And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.”

Acts 18:27–28Acts 18:27–28 · King James Version^18:27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace: ^18:28 For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.Acts 18:27–28 · King James VersionOpen source says the brethren wrote to exhort the disciples to receive him, and that when he was come he helped them much which had believed through grace, “for he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.” (4)

The Dodson lexicon on Apollōs says “Apollos, a Jew of Alexandria.” The word page does not add a Hebrew meaning. The name in Acts is Greek. Who Wrote the Book of Acts? is the narrator of this chapter.

Paul and Apollos

1 Corinthians 1:121 Corinthians 1:12 · King James VersionNow this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.1 Corinthians 1:12 · King James VersionOpen source (5): “Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:4–51 Corinthians 3:4–5 · King James Version^3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? ^3:5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?1 Corinthians 3:4–5 · King James VersionOpen source: “For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?”

1 Corinthians 3:61 Corinthians 3:6 · King James VersionI have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.1 Corinthians 3:6 · King James VersionOpen source (6): “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” 1 Corinthians 3:71 Corinthians 3:7 · King James VersionSo then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.1 Corinthians 3:7 · King James VersionOpen source: “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” Paul’s sentence makes the two of them ministers. The increase is God’s. The party slogans are what he calls carnal.

1 Corinthians 16:121 Corinthians 16:12 · King James VersionAs touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.1 Corinthians 16:12 · King James VersionOpen source (7): “As touching our brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have convenient time.” Titus 3:13Titus 3:13 · King James VersionBring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.Titus 3:13 · King James VersionOpen source (8): “Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.”

Did Apollos Write Hebrews?

Who Wrote the Book of Hebrews? says the book names no author. Clement of Alexandria said Paul, with Luke as translator. Origen said God knows the writer. Tertullian names Barnabas. Later readers have suggested Apollos because Acts calls him eloquent, mighty in the scriptures, and born at Alexandria. Acts does not say he wrote Hebrews. The letter does not name him.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Was the Relationship Between Paul and Apollos?

Paul calls him “our brother Apollos” and a minister by whom the Corinthians believed. He says he planted and Apollos watered. He says he greatly desired Apollos to come to Corinth, and that Apollos was not willing at that time. The Corinthian sentences “I am of Paul” and “I am of Apollos” are the slogans Paul answers, not a report that the two men had split.

What Does 1 Corinthians 3:5–7 Say?

Paul asks who Paul is, and who Apollos is, except ministers by whom the Corinthians believed, as the Lord gave to each. He says he planted, Apollos watered, and God gave the increase. Neither the planter nor the waterer is anything, beside God who gives the increase.

What Was the Apostle Paul’s Real Name?

Acts 13:9Acts 13:9 · King James VersionThen Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,Acts 13:9 · King James VersionOpen source (9): “Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him.” The verse gives both names. It does not say one replaced the other on that day as a new birth name.

How Old Was Paul When Jesus Died?

The New Testament does not give Paul’s age at the crucifixion, and it does not give a birth year. Acts 7:58Acts 7:58 · King James VersionAnd cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.Acts 7:58 · King James VersionOpen source calls him a young man at Stephen’s death, which is after the crucifixion. It does not count the years.

Keep Reading

• Who Wrote the Book of Hebrews?
• Who Wrote the Book of Acts?
• Ἀπολλῶς (G625)
• Acts 18
• 1 Corinthians 3