Acts 18:24 kjv
And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Acts 18:24 nkjv
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus.
Acts 18:24 niv
Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures.
Acts 18:24 esv
Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures.
Acts 18:24 nlt
Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt.
Acts 18 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 7:22 | And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and he was mighty in his words and deeds. | Moses as eloquent and mighty. |
| Lk 4:32 | And they were astonished at his teaching, for his word was with authority. | Jesus' teaching authority and power. |
| 1 Cor 1:12 | What I mean is that each one of you says, "I am of Paul," or "I am of Apollos..." | Apollos's prominence in the early church. |
| 1 Cor 3:4-6 | For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not being merely human?... I planted, Apollos watered... | Apollos's role as a co-laborer with Paul. |
| 1 Cor 3:21-23 | So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos... | All ministries are God's gift to the church. |
| 1 Cor 4:6 | ...that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. | Humility regarding leaders like Apollos. |
| 1 Cor 16:12 | Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now... | Paul's trust in Apollos, though he chose not to travel. |
| Tit 3:13 | Do your best to speed Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way; see that they lack nothing. | Apollos's ongoing ministry. |
| Isa 50:4 | The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. | Power of the divinely taught tongue. |
| Jer 1:9 | Then the LORD put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the LORD said to me, "Behold, I have put my words in your mouth." | God empowers the messenger's words. |
| Mt 7:29 | ...for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes. | Authority in teaching, contrasting scribes. |
| Lk 24:27 | And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. | Interpreting OT concerning Christ. |
| Acts 17:2-3 | And Paul went in, as was his custom, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead... | Reasoning from Scripture was Paul's method. |
| Acts 17:11 | Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily... | Diligent examination of Scriptures. |
| Rom 15:4 | For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. | Purpose and benefit of Scripture. |
| 2 Tim 3:16-17 | All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. | God-breathed and equipping nature of Scripture. |
| 2 Tim 2:15 | Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. | Rightly handling God's word is essential. |
| Heb 4:12 | For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. | Power and discernment of God's Word. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry... | God gifts the church with different leaders and speakers. |
| Col 1:28-29 | Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me. | Teaching with wisdom for spiritual maturity. |
| Ezra 7:10 | For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. | Old Testament example of devotion to God's law. |
| Ps 1:2 | but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. | Delight in God's law (Scripture). |
| Deut 6:6-7 | You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house... | Importance of teaching and discussing Scripture. |
Acts 18 verses
Acts 18 24 Meaning
Acts 18:24 introduces Apollos, a Jewish believer who arrives in Ephesus. He is identified by his origin from Alexandria, renowned for its intellectual prowess and Hellenistic Jewish culture. The verse emphasizes two key characteristics: his eloquence, indicating a gifted speaker, and his deep mastery of the Holy Scriptures, referring to the Old Testament. These qualities highlight him as a powerful and persuasive proponent of God's Word.
Acts 18 24 Context
Acts chapter 18 chronicles Paul's missionary journeys, focusing on his ministry in Corinth and then his departure for Antioch, after a brief stop in Ephesus. Paul leaves Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus before continuing his journey. It is into this thriving Ephesian community, shortly after Paul's departure, that Apollos arrives. This sets the stage for Apollos's powerful ministry in Ephesus and subsequently in Corinth, illustrating the continuous spread of the Gospel and the diversity of laborers God uses. The verse introduces Apollos as a significant figure who would complement the work already begun, showcasing God's strategic raising of individuals with specific gifts for His kingdom.
Acts 18 24 Word analysis
- Now (Δὲ - De): A common connective particle, here signaling a transition or introduction of a new subject or development in the narrative, following Paul's recent departure from Ephesus.
- a Jew (Ἰουδαῖος - Ioudaios): Indicates his ethnic and religious background, important as it defines his access to the Jewish synagogues and the Old Testament understanding.
- named Apollos (Ἀπολλὼς - Apollōs): A common Hellenistic name, likely a shortened form of Apollonius. This marks the first mention of this significant individual in the book of Acts, emphasizing his singular identity.
- a native of Alexandria (Ἀλεξανδρεύς - Alexandreus): This city was a major intellectual and cultural center in the ancient world, famous for its large Jewish community and vast library. Many Jews in Alexandria were highly educated in both Greek philosophy and Jewish Scripture (the Septuagint translation was done here). This background explains Apollos's combined gifts.
- an eloquent (ἀνὴρ λόγιος - anēr logios): Literally "a man of word" or "learned man," conveying that Apollos was highly articulate, skilled in speech, persuasive, and intellectually acute. This would make him a compelling debater and preacher.
- man (ἀνὴρ - anēr): Simple reference to an adult male, reinforcing "eloquent" and distinguishing him as a person of substance.
- came to (ἐλήλυθεν - elēlythen): A perfect tense verb, indicating that his arrival was a completed action with continuing implications; he had arrived and was present in Ephesus. This arrival is divinely appointed and pivotal for the ongoing mission there.
- Ephesus (Ἔφεσον - Epheson): A prominent and strategic city in the Roman province of Asia, known for its significant port and pagan worship (e.g., Temple of Artemis). It was a key hub for early Christian expansion.
- and he was mighty (δυνατὸς ὢν - dynatos ōn): Meaning "powerful," "strong," "able," or "competent." This implies not just intellectual ability but effective use of his knowledge.
- in the Scriptures (ἐν ταῖς γραφαῖς - en tais graphais): Refers specifically to the Old Testament. This "might" meant deep, authoritative knowledge of the Law and the Prophets, enabling him to interpret, explain, and use them powerfully, especially to prove the Messiahship of Jesus. This knowledge formed the foundation of his eloquence and effectiveness.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria": Establishes his identity, ethnic background, and intellectual heritage, linking him to a tradition of Hellenistic Judaism known for its learning.
- "an eloquent man": Highlights his oratorical skills, suggesting he could articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively, an essential trait for effective communication of the Gospel in that culture.
- "and he was mighty in the Scriptures": Emphasizes his profound understanding and ability to wield the Old Testament. This deep scriptural knowledge would allow him to compellingly argue from the prophets and the law that Jesus was the Christ, particularly valuable in Jewish contexts. The combination of eloquence and Scriptural mastery made him an exceptionally powerful advocate for the Christian message.
Acts 18 24 Bonus section
Apollos's profile in this verse suggests a significant contrast with Peter and other apostles, many of whom were described as "uneducated, common men" (Acts 4:13). While their power came purely from the Holy Spirit and direct witness of Jesus, Apollos brought intellectual depth and rhetorical polish. This demonstrates the diversity of gifts within the body of Christ, where various backgrounds and natural aptitudes, sanctified and empowered by God, contribute to the advancement of His Kingdom. Apollos's subsequent role, particularly in Corinth, also highlights potential challenges related to valuing one leader over another (1 Cor 1:12; 3:4), even among genuinely gifted servants of God. This subtly reminds us that all human abilities are ultimately to be submitted to Christ for His glory.
Acts 18 24 Commentary
Acts 18:24 masterfully introduces Apollos, outlining the key facets that made him an influential figure in the nascent Christian church. His Alexandrian heritage signifies a blend of rich Jewish theological tradition with sophisticated Hellenistic education. This background provided him with both a profound grasp of the Hebrew Scriptures and the rhetorical skills to effectively convey their truths. The descriptor "mighty in the Scriptures" indicates an extensive and deep understanding, enabling him to expound upon them with authority and clarity. This ability to interpret the Old Testament concerning Jesus the Messiah was crucial for evangelism among the Jews and for grounding new Gentile converts in God's redemptive plan. His arrival in Ephesus, a significant spiritual and commercial center, underscores God's providential placement of gifted individuals to further the Gospel, ensuring a continuous and robust proclamation of Christ's truth. Apollos exemplifies how God raises and uses those who are skilled and devoted to His Word for the building of His Kingdom, even preceding a more complete understanding, which he later gains from Priscilla and Aquila (as revealed in the verses immediately following).