What did Apollos know and teach before Aquila and Priscilla corrected him?
Before correction, Apollos was instructed in the way of the Lord and spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, but he knew only the baptism of John. He was still steeped in the kingdom economy, proclaiming the message John the Baptist, Christ, and the Twelve had brought to Israel, not the cross or grace.
Les explains that Apollos was an eloquent speaker who was instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in the Spirit, and taught diligently the things of the Lord. However, his knowledge stopped at the baptism of John. He remained a Jew steeped in the kingdom economy, knowing nothing of the power of the cross or the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. He was only continuing the message John the Baptist, Christ, and the Twelve had proclaimed to Israel. Aquila and Priscilla, who had been a long time with Paul in the tent-making business and had received Paul's doctrines of grace, heard Apollos speaking boldly in the synagogue. Because Paul had drummed those doctrines of grace into them, they were able to correct his incomplete understanding.
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.
More Questions
What was Apollos instructed in and what did he still not know?
Apollos, unlike Paul, had been taught by someone, and was instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in the Spirit, and taught diligently the things of the Lord, yet knowing only the baptism of John.
How did Paul receive his doctrine compared to Apollos?
Paul did not have anyone instruct him in the age of grace or the doctrine of grace; his teaching came by revelation and inspiration, unlike Apollos who had been taught by someone.