Apollos The Brother

by R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Category: Fingerpost | Feb 1976

That is how Paul described him. Not, my fellow-elder, or fellowworker, or fellow countryman. Not "our beloved brother", as Peter once described Paul (2 Pet. 3:15). "But as touching Apollos the brother, I besought him much to come unto you with the brethren" (1 Cor. 16:12). Was Paul using a term of endearment? Or an expression of commendation? Whatever was in his mind the term "the brother" is elevated to a status of great respect, for Apollos was a man highly regarded in the churches of God.

His name means "one who destroys or lays waste", a description which seems to be entirely opposed to the nature of this gifted servant of the Lord (1 Cor. 3:22). It was more suited to Paul before his conversion, for he was a destroyer, a disrupter, a persecutor of God's workers and works. But Apollos was a builder for the Lord (Acts 18:27,28).

Apollos had been a follower of John the Baptist, and his godly character as a disciple manifested itself when he first came into contact with those two gems of Israel, Priscilla and Aquila, who had dedicated themselves to the Way (Acts 18:1-3; 24-28). Although he is described as a learned or eloquent man, mighty in the Scriptures, instructed in the way of the Lord, and fervent in spirit, he was not resistant to the words of truth which this dear, devotional husband and wife, imparted to him. Humbly and graciously he listened as they "expounded unto him the way of God more carefully" (v.26). This was the great turning point in the life of Apollos, and he went on to be a man of might in the churches of God. What a loss it would have been to God and His people if Apollos had been proud, arrogant, or non-receptive to the exhortations of Priscilla and Aquila. They heard him speak boldly in the synagogue, and "they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more carefully". Here are wonderful words of advice on how to communicate the truth. The Spirit has left on record for our help the gracious method of a loving approach to people. "They took him unto them".

Apollos was to labour in Corinth with great power. He was content to follow Paul the planter as Apollos the waterer (1 Cor. 3:6). And so this good servant of the Lord is commended as "Apollos the brother".

R. Darke, Victoria, B.C. | Feb 1976
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