Acts 18 25

Acts 18:25 kjv

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 18:25 nkjv

This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John.

Acts 18:25 niv

He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John.

Acts 18:25 esv

He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.

Acts 18:25 nlt

He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John's baptism.

Acts 18 verses

Acts 18 25 Meaning

Acts 18:25 describes Apollos, a learned and eloquent Jewish believer, whose knowledge of Christian truth was passionate and precise, accurately proclaiming what he knew about Jesus. However, his understanding was limited to the baptism taught by John the Baptist, indicating he had not yet fully apprehended the Christian baptism in the name of Jesus or the receiving of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 18 25 Context

Acts chapter 18 details Paul's ministry in Corinth, his meeting Priscilla and Aquila (who are fellow tentmakers), and their subsequent journey to Ephesus. This verse introduces Apollos, a new and significant figure from Alexandria. He arrives in Ephesus after Paul has left, but while Priscilla and Aquila are still there. The historical context reveals Alexandria as a major intellectual and cultural center, home to a significant Jewish population known for their learning, particularly in Hellenistic philosophy and Scriptural interpretation. John the Baptist's movement had been widespread and influential throughout Judea and beyond, with his disciples continuing to preach his message even years after his death. This meant that individuals like Apollos could genuinely believe in the Messiah and teach accurately about Jesus' life and mission, yet still lack a complete understanding of the New Covenant's full implications, especially regarding the Pentecost outpouring of the Holy Spirit and Christian baptism. Apollos' situation perfectly illustrates the dynamic nature of early Christian missions, where incomplete, yet earnest, understanding was common and needed to be gracefully augmented through further discipleship.

Acts 18 25 Word analysis

• He had been instructed (Greek: κατηχέω, katēcheō): This verb means to instruct orally, to teach by word of mouth, or to catechize. It implies a structured learning process, suggesting Apollos had received foundational teaching, possibly through an existing John-the-Baptist community or an early Christian sect that emphasized John's message and recognized Jesus as the Messiah without full knowledge of the post-Pentecost outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
• in the way of the Lord (Greek: τήν ὁδὸν τοῦ κυρίου, tēn hodon tou kyriou): This phrase, deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecy (e.g., Isa 40:3), refers to God's saving plan and revealed will through the Messiah. In the early church, "the Way" (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 24:14, 22) became a self-designation for Christians, signifying their path of life and doctrine centered on Christ. Apollos' instruction concerned this foundational truth, emphasizing Christ as the fulfiller of God's saving purposes.
• and being fervent (Greek: ζέων, zeōn): A present participle meaning "boiling," "fervent," or "glowing hot." This term indicates intense passion, zeal, and spiritual warmth. Apollos was not merely intellectual but passionately committed to what he believed, filled with genuine enthusiasm for the Lord. This spiritual fire contributed greatly to his effective preaching.
• in spirit (Greek: τῷ πνεύματι, tō pneumati): This phrase can refer to either the human spirit or the Holy Spirit. Given the subsequent context (his lack of knowledge concerning Christian baptism and the Holy Spirit in Acts 19:1-7, related to John's baptism), it is most accurately understood as referring to Apollos' own human spirit, which was deeply moved and invigorated by his faith in Jesus. While God was certainly at work in him, it points to his internal drive and zeal stemming from his conviction, rather than implying the full reception of the Pentecostal Spirit that came through the laying on of apostles' hands.
• he spoke and taught accurately (Greek: ἐλάλει καὶ ἐδίδασκεν ἀκριβῶς, elalei kai edidasken akribōs): This dual phrase highlights his ministry. "Spoke" (ἐλάλει, elalei) implies general proclamation and fervent declaration, while "taught" (ἐδίδασκεν, edidasken) suggests systematic instruction. The adverb "accurately" (ἀκριβῶς, akribōs) emphasizes precision, carefulness, and truthfulness in his teaching, based on the knowledge he possessed. He was correct in the facts and interpretations he delivered.
• the things concerning Jesus (Greek: τὰ περὶ τοῦ Ἰησοῦ, ta peri tou Iēsou): This refers to the historical events, teachings, and significance of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection – the core facts of Christology. Apollos was well-versed in these crucial elements of the Gospel narrative.
• though he knew only (Greek: ἐπιστάμενος μόνον, epistamenos monon): The particle "only" (μόνον, monon) is key. It signifies a crucial limitation in his knowledge, pinpointing the specific theological boundary of his understanding. He was deeply knowledgeable but not completely informed regarding the developing full doctrine of Christian baptism.
• the baptism of John (Greek: τὸ βάπτισμα Ἰωάννου, to baptisma Iōannou): This refers to the ritual immersion performed by John the Baptist as a sign of repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah (Matt 3:11; Acts 19:4). It was distinct from Christian baptism, which signified union with Christ in His death and resurrection and the reception of the Holy Spirit subsequent to Jesus' ascension (Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4). Apollos understood the call to repentance and belief in the coming Christ but lacked knowledge of the Holy Spirit's indwelling power and the new covenant implications of baptism in Jesus' name.

Acts 18 25 Bonus section

• The Power of Partial Knowledge: Apollos demonstrates that even with incomplete theological understanding, profound zeal and accurate, if limited, teaching can be remarkably effective in drawing people to foundational truths about Jesus. He was an evangelist who "prepared the way" for more complete teaching.
• A Bridge Figure: Apollos serves as an important bridge figure, representing the continuity between John the Baptist's movement and the developing Christian community. His intellectual background also shows the early church reaching highly educated individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Humility in Leadership: The fact that Apollos, a "learned man" and "eloquent speaker," was willing to be taught by Priscilla and Aquila (a married couple who were tentmakers, not formally recognized theologians) speaks volumes about his humility and commitment to truth over pride. This is explored in the very next verse.
• Divine Providence: Apollos’s arrival in Ephesus after Paul’s departure, and his subsequent encounter with Priscilla and Aquila, suggests a divinely orchestrated plan for his full equipping, allowing his significant gifts to be used more comprehensively for the expansion of the gospel.
• Ongoing Discipleship: The narrative around Apollos emphasizes that Christian spiritual and theological growth is often a journey of continuous learning and being taught, even for gifted leaders. There's always "more accurately" to understand about "the Way of God."

Acts 18 25 Commentary

Acts 18:25 provides a fascinating snapshot of Apollos, a highly gifted individual embodying both remarkable strengths and a critical theological gap within the early Christian landscape. His background as a learned Alexandrian Jew, coupled with his innate eloquence, positioned him as a formidable debater and explainer of the Scriptures. His fervor was authentic and potent, propelling him to boldly proclaim what he knew, and he spoke with meticulous accuracy regarding the life and message of Jesus. He was an evangelist who passionately directed people toward Christ, using his deep understanding of the Old Testament to prove Jesus as the Messiah.

However, his zeal and accuracy were confined to a particular horizon: "the baptism of John." This was a baptism of repentance, a necessary preparatory step that pointed to Christ but did not signify the New Covenant experience of rebirth, indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and full identification with Christ's death and resurrection that characterized Christian baptism. This distinction was not trivial but foundational to early Christian identity and power. Apollos’s situation illustrates that earnestness and even accurate factual knowledge are not always synonymous with complete theological understanding or spiritual experience in the full new covenant reality. His story highlights the dynamic nature of faith growth, where an individual can be sincerely devout and powerfully used by God while still being on a journey of deeper revelation and spiritual formation. This setting paves the way for Priscilla and Aquila’s loving and private instruction, showcasing the beauty of ongoing discipleship within the body of Christ.