Ἀπολλῶς (Apollōs)
Apollōs
Apollos
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The name Apollos appears ten times in the New Testament, primarily within the letters to the Corinthians and the book of Acts. It identifies a specific historical figure, a learned Jew from Alexandria who became a prominent teacher of Christianity. The sources suggest his name likely means "given by Apollo," reflecting the cultural context of his origin.
Scripture portrays him as mighty in the Scriptures, known for his eloquence and fervent spirit. In Acts 18:24-25, he is described as an effective speaker who taught accurately about Jesus, though initially knowing only John’s baptism. Paul later references Apollos frequently in 1 Corinthians to address divisions within the church, reminding believers that leaders like Apollos are merely servants through whom people believe, not objects of personal allegiance (1 Corinthians 3:4-6).
This word serves as a proper noun rather than a theological term with abstract meaning. Its significance lies entirely in the person it identifies: a gifted communicator who worked alongside Paul and Cephas to build up the early church. The text highlights his role in spreading the gospel in Ephesus and Corinth, illustrating how diverse leaders contributed to the same mission.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about Apollos in the New Testament, we encounter a man who was deeply knowledgeable and passionately committed to sharing the truth. He came from Alexandria, a center of learning, and used his skills to teach others about Jesus with clarity and fervor. His story reminds us that God often uses people with diverse backgrounds and gifts to spread the gospel. We do not need to be experts or eloquent speakers to serve; we simply need to be willing to share what we have learned.
Paul’s letters to the Corinthians show how Apollos worked alongside other leaders like Peter and Paul without seeking personal fame. He understood that his role was to help others grow in faith, not to build a personal following. This example encourages us to focus on serving others and pointing them toward Christ, rather than drawing attention to ourselves. In our own lives, we can learn from his humility and dedication to the mission of building up the church.
Ultimately, Apollos’ life highlights the importance of unity among believers. Different leaders may have different styles or strengths, but they all work for the same purpose: to help people believe in Jesus. We are reminded that spiritual growth comes from God, not from human effort alone. This perspective helps us appreciate the diverse ways God works through others and trust in His plan for our own spiritual journey.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Apollos8×
- of Apollos,2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- Ἀπολλῶς4×
- Ἀπολλῶν2×
- Ἀπολλῶ,2×
- Ἀπολλῶ2×
Key Verses
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Acts 18:24
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures.
This verse introduces Apollos as a learned Jew from Alexandria who was mighty in the Scriptures, establishing his background and initial impact on the early church.
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I Corinthians 3:5
Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed, and each as the Lord gave to him?
Paul clarifies that Apollos is merely a servant through whom people believed, emphasizing that leaders are instruments of God rather than objects of allegiance.
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I Corinthians 3:6
I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase.
Using the metaphor of planting and watering, Paul illustrates how Apollos and he worked together in different roles while attributing spiritual growth to God alone.