Act 18:24-28 | RWP | e4.org | Apollos ( Απολλως ). Genitive -ω Attic second declension. Probably a contraction of Απολλονιος as D has it here. An Alexandrian ( Αλεξανδρευς ). Alexander the Great founded this city B.C. 332 and placed a colony of Jews there which flourished greatly, one-third of the population at this time. There was a great university and library there. The Jewish-Alexandrian philosophy developed here of which Philo was the chief exponent who was still living. Apollos was undoubtedly a man of the schools and a man of parts. A learned man ( ανηρ λογιος ). Or eloquent, as the word can mean either a man of words (like one "wordy," verbose) or a man of ideas, since λογος was used either for reason or speech. Apollos was doubtless both learned (mighty in the Scriptures) and eloquent, though eloquence varies greatly in people's ideas. Mighty in the Scriptures ( δυνατος ων εν ταις γραφαις ). Being powerful ( δυνατος verbal of δυναμα and same root as δυναμις , dynamite, dynamo) in the Scriptures (in the knowledge and the use of the Scriptures), as should be true of every preacher. There is no excuse for ignorance of the Scriptures on the part of preachers, the professed interpreters of the word of God. The last lecture made to the New Testament English class in Southern Baptist Theological Seminary by John A. Broadus was on this passage with a plea for his students to be mighty in the Scriptures. In Alexandria Clement of Alexandria and Origen taught in the Christian theological school.

‏ Acts 18:24-28

Apollos ( Απολλως ). Genitive -ω Attic second declension. Probably a contraction of Απολλονιος as D has it here.

An Alexandrian ( Αλεξανδρευς ). Alexander the Great founded this city B.C. 332 and placed a colony of Jews there which flourished greatly, one-third of the population at this time. There was a great university and library there. The Jewish-Alexandrian philosophy developed here of which Philo was the chief exponent who was still living. Apollos was undoubtedly a man of the schools and a man of parts.

A learned man ( ανηρ λογιος ). Or eloquent, as the word can mean either a man of words (like one "wordy," verbose) or a man of ideas, since λογος was used either for reason or speech. Apollos was doubtless both learned (mighty in the Scriptures) and eloquent, though eloquence varies greatly in people's ideas.

Mighty in the Scriptures ( δυνατος ων εν ταις γραφαις ). Being powerful ( δυνατος verbal of δυναμα and same root as δυναμις, dynamite, dynamo) in the Scriptures (in the knowledge and the use of the Scriptures), as should be true of every preacher. There is no excuse for ignorance of the Scriptures on the part of preachers, the professed interpreters of the word of God. The last lecture made to the New Testament English class in Southern Baptist Theological Seminary by John A. Broadus was on this passage with a plea for his students to be mighty in the Scriptures. In Alexandria Clement of Alexandria and Origen taught in the Christian theological school.

Had been instructed in the way of the Lord ( ην κατηχημενος την οδον του κυριου ). Periphrastic past perfect passive of κατηχεω, rare in the old Greek and not in the LXX from κατα and ηχεω ( ηχω, sound) as in Lu 1:4, to re-sound, to re-echo, to teach by repeated dinning into the ears as the Arabs do now, to teach orally by word of mouth (and ear). Here the accusative of the thing (the word) is retained in the passive like with διδασκω, to teach (Robertson, Grammar, p. 485). Being fervent in spirit ( ζεων τω πνευματ ). Boiling (from ζεω, to boil, old and common verb, in N.T. only here and Ro 12:11) like boiling water or yeast. The Latin verb ferveo means to boil or ferment. Locative case after it.

Taught carefully ( εδιδασκεν ακριβως ). Imperfect active, was teaching or inchoative, began teaching, accurately. He taught accurately what he knew, a fine gift for any preacher.

Only the baptism of John ( μονον το βαπτισμα Ιωανου ). It was a

baptism of repentance (marked by repentance) as Paul said (13:24; 19:4), as Peter said (2:38) and as the Gospels tell (Mr 1:4, etc.). That is to say, Apollos knew only what the Baptist knew when he died, but John had preached the coming of the Messiah, had baptized him, had identified him as the Son of God, had proclaimed the baptism of the Holy Spirit, but had not seen the Cross, the Resurrection of Jesus, nor the great Day of Pentecost.

They took him unto them ( προσελαβοντο ). Second aorist middle (indirect) indicative of προσλαμβανω, old verb, to their home and heart as companion (cf. the rabbis and the ruffians in 17:5). Probably for dinner after service.

Expounded ( εξεθεντο ). Second aorist (effective) middle indicative of εκτιθημ seen already in 11:4, to set forth.

More carefully ( ακριβεστερον ). Comparative adverb of ακριβως. More accurately than he already knew. Instead of abusing the young and brilliant preacher for his ignorance they (particularly Priscilla) gave him the fuller story of the life and work of Jesus and of the apostolic period to fill up the gaps in his knowledge. It is a needed and delicate task, this thing of teaching gifted young ministers. They do not learn it all in schools. More of it comes from contact with men and women rich in grace and in the knowledge of God's ways. He was not rebaptized, but only received fuller information.

Encouraged him ( προτρεψαμενο ). First aorist middle participle of προτρεπω, old verb, to urge forward, to push on, only here in the N.T. Since Apollos wanted ( βουλομενου αυτου, genitive absolute) to go into Achaia, the brethren (including others besides Priscilla and Aquila) wrote ( εγραψαν ) a letter of introduction to the disciples in Corinth to receive him ( αποδεξασθα αυτον ), a nice letter of recommendation and a sincere one also. But Paul will refer to this very letter later (2Co 3:1) and observe that he himself needed no such letter of commendation. The Codex Bezae adds here that certain Corinthians who had come to Ephesus heard Apollos and begged him to cross over with them to Corinth. This may very well be the way that Apollos was led to go. Preachers often receive calls because visitors from other places hear them. Priscilla and Aquila were well known in Corinth and their approval would carry weight. But they did not urge Apollos to stay longer in Ephesus.

Helped them much ( συνεβαλετο πολυ ). Second aorist middle indicative of συνβαλλω used in 17:18 for "dispute," old verb to throw together, in the N.T. always in the active save here in the middle (common in Greek writers) to put together, to help.

Through grace ( δια της χαριτος ). This makes sense if taken with "believed," as Hackett does (cf. 13:48; 16:14) or with "helped" (1Co 3:10; 15:10; 2Co 1:12). Both are true as the references show.

Powerfully ( ευτονως ). Adverb from ευτονος ( ευ, well, τεινω, to stretch), well-strung, at full stretch.

Confuted ( διακατηλεγχετο ). Imperfect middle of the double compound verb δια-κατ-ελεγχομα, to confute with rivalry in a contest, here alone. The old Greek has διελεγχω, to convict of falsehood, but not this double compound which means to argue down to a finish. It is the imperfect tense and does not mean that Apollos convinced these rabbis, but he had the last word.

Publicly ( δημοσια ). See 5:18; 16:37. In open meeting where all could see the victory of Apollos.

Shewing ( επιδεικνυς ). Present active participle of επιδεικνυμ, old verb to set forth so that all see.

By the Scriptures ( δια των γραφων ). In which Apollos was so "mighty" (verse 24) and the rabbis so weak for they knew the oral law better than the written (Mr 7:8-12).

That Jesus was the Christ ( εινα τον Χριστον Ιησουν ). Infinitive and the accusative in indirect assertion. Apollos proclaims the same message that Paul did everywhere (17:3). He had not yet met Paul, but he had been instructed by Priscilla and Aquila. He is in Corinth building on the foundation laid so well by Paul (1Co 3:4-17). Luke has here made a brief digression from the story of Paul, but it helps us understand Paul better There are those who think that Apollos wrote Hebrews, a guess that may be correct.