Apollos learned the full gospel message from Priscilla and Aquila, who had been taught the doctrines of grace by Paul.
Apollos was eloquent and instructed in the Old Testament, but he knew only the baptism of John. Aquila and Priscilla heard him in the synagogue, took him aside, and expounded the way of God to him more perfectly. Les emphasizes that they could do this because they had been with Paul for a long time in the tent-making business. Apollos was humble enough to listen, and afterward he was able to help believers who had believed through grace.
Acts 18:26 — This is the verse where Priscilla and Aquila are shown taking Apollos aside and expounding the way of God to him more perfectly.
The Bible introduces Apollos in Acts 18:24 as a Jew from Alexandria, eloquent and mighty in the scriptures. Verse 25 says he was instructed in the way of the Lord, fervent in the spirit, and taught diligently the things of the Lord, yet he knew only the baptism of John. The narrative then shows Aquila and Priscilla hearing him speak boldly in the synagogue, taking him to them, and expounding the way of God to him more perfectly (verse 26). The text does not record the content of their explanation, only that it made his understanding of God's way more complete. Verse 27 records that when Apollos later wanted to cross into Achaia, the brethren encouraged the disciples to receive him, and after he came he helped those who had believed through grace.
Les explains that Apollos, despite being highly educated, eloquent, and mighty in the Old Testament Scriptures, knew only the baptism of John. He was still steeped in the kingdom economy and knew nothing of the power of the cross or the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. He had not heard the gospel of grace. Les even speculates that Apollos, coming from Alexandria, was probably well educated from the same group that translated the Hebrew Old Testament into Greek, but that did not give him the full message. The change came through Priscilla and Aquila. Having been instructed by Paul during their long time together in the tent-making business, they were able to take Apollos aside and expound the way of God more perfectly. Les stresses that Apollos was gentleman enough to listen and learn from these two lay people. Afterward, when Apollos went to Achaia, he was able to help those who had believed through grace. Les also contrasts Paul's experience: Paul received the gospel by revelation, while Apollos was taught by human instructors.
Acts 18:24-25 says Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria, an eloquent man, mighty in the scriptures, instructed in the way of the Lord, and fervent in the spirit, but he knew only the baptism of John. Les clarifies that this meant Apollos was still tied to the Old Testament program and the kingdom gospel preached by John the Baptist, Jesus, and the Twelve to Israel. He knew nothing of the gospel of grace, the power of the cross, or the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Acts 18:26 says they took Apollos unto them and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. Les points out that Aquila and Priscilla had spent a long time with Paul in the tent-making business, and Paul had drummed the doctrines of grace into them. Therefore, when they heard Apollos speaking in the synagogue, they were able to take him aside and fill in what he was missing—the gospel of grace and the finished work of Christ.
Les emphasizes that Apollos, though highly educated, eloquent, and famous, was gentleman enough to listen and learn from two little lay people. He took to heart what he learned, and when he later went to Achaia, he was able to help those who had believed through grace. Les uses Apollos as an example of a man of God who should be willing to receive a Scriptural correction when someone kindly shows him something he is missing.
Apollos's Incomplete Knowledge
Les notes Apollos was an eloquent and highly educated man, mighty in the Old Testament Scriptures, but he knew only the baptism of John—not the fuller gospel that had come afterward.
The Chain from Paul to Apollos
Les shows that Aquila and Priscilla expounded the way of God more perfectly to Apollos, and they could do so because they had been with Paul. He also stresses Apollos's humility in listening to these two lay people.
Apollos Later Helps Grace-Believers
Les traces the source of Apollos's new understanding: he learned grace from Priscilla and Aquila, and they had learned it from working with Paul; this equipped him to help those who had believed through grace.
Taking Him Home to Teach Him
Les describes how Aquila and Priscilla listened to Apollos in the synagogue and then took him aside—likely home for a meal—and explained the way of God more completely.
Not Yet the Gospel of Grace
Les explains that even though Apollos was instructed and mighty in the Old Testament, he knew nothing beyond the baptism of John and had not heard the gospel of grace.
A Teachable Apollos
Les uses Apollos as an example of a man of God who should be willing to receive a Scriptural correction when someone kindly shows him something he has been missing.
Steeped in the Kingdom Economy
Les explains that Apollos was still tied to the kingdom gospel proclaimed to Israel and knew nothing of the cross and resurrection, while Aquila and Priscilla had learned the doctrines of grace from Paul and could fill the gap.
Revelation Versus Instruction
Les contrasts Paul, who received the gospel by direct revelation, with Apollos, who was taught by others and was now being further instructed by Aquila and Priscilla.
Acts 18:24: And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
This introduces Apollos: his Jewish origin, eloquence, and skill in the Old Testament Scriptures.
Acts 18:25: 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.
It explains what Apollos did and did not know at that point—he was instructed and fervent but knew only the baptism of John.
Acts 18:26: And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.
This directly answers the question: Aquila and Priscilla expounded the way of God to him more perfectly.
Acts 18:27: And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
It shows the result: Apollos went on to help believers in Achaia who had believed through grace.
Apollos learned it from Priscilla and Aquila. They heard him preach in the synagogue, took him aside, and explained the way of God more perfectly. Les points out that Priscilla and Aquila had learned the doctrines of grace through their long association with Paul, which prepared them to teach Apollos.
He was eloquent, instructed in the way of the Lord, and mighty in the Old Testament Scriptures, but he knew only the baptism of John. According to Les, this means he was still within the kingdom economy and had not heard the gospel of grace or the significance of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
Les portrays Apollos as gentleman enough to listen and learn from these two lay people. Even though he was a prominent speaker, he took to heart what they showed him from Scripture, and then he was able to help grace-believers in Achaia.
Les says Paul received the gospel by revelation and had no human teacher, whereas Apollos was an instructed man who was now being taught further by Priscilla and Aquila. Apollos's example shows that even gifted teachers can need someone to explain the way of God more perfectly.
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