Yes, some Corinthian believers preferred Apollos over Paul because of Apollos's eloquence, charisma, and magnetic personality.
Apollos was described as an eloquent man, mighty in the scriptures, and instructed in the way of the Lord. His powerful speaking and charisma attracted a following who wanted to identify with him instead of Paul, who did not have the same natural appeal.
Acts 18:24 — This verse introduces Apollos as an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures, which explains why he attracted followers.
Acts 18:24 describes Apollos as "an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures." He was a Jew from Alexandria who came to Ephesus knowing only the baptism of John. Priscilla and Aquila, who had been with Paul, took him aside and expounded to him "the way of God more perfectly" (Acts 18:26). Because of his eloquence and instruction, he was able to help those who believed through grace (Acts 18:27). In 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the divisions in the church where some said "I am of Paul; and I of Apollos" (1 Corinthians 1:12). While Apollos's abilities were given by God, the preference for him over Paul was based on personality rather than doctrine.
Les Feldick explains that Apollos was a highly educated and eloquent speaker who could magnetize his audiences with his charisma and style. He was initially instructed only in the baptism of John, but through Priscilla and Aquila, he learned the full message of grace from Paul. When Apollos came to Corinth, his eloquence and personality attracted believers who wanted to identify with him rather than Paul. Les emphasizes that this was not a doctrinal issue but a matter of personality, and it reflected a dangerous tendency to focus on human leaders instead of Christ and the Word. He also notes that Paul, by contrast, was not a naturally appealing speaker, and his converts came through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Apollos was born in Alexandria, Egypt, and was described as an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures (Acts 18:24). He was a speaker par excellence, with personality and charisma that could magnetize his audiences. However, he was initially instructed only in the baptism of John, meaning he lacked the full revelation of the grace gospel. But he was humble enough to learn from Priscilla and Aquila, who had been with Paul.
Apollos's eloquence and charisma made him attractive to the Corinthians, who were drawn to his speaking style and personality. In contrast, Paul did not have the same natural appeal, and his followers came through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Corinthians' preference for Apollos was based on personality, not on any doctrinal disagreement.
The preference for Apollos caused divisions in the Corinthian church, with believers saying "I am of Paul" or "I am of Apollos." This was a sign of carnality and an unhealthy loyalty to human leaders. Les warns that believers should never get hung up on one man, as it is not scriptural.
Apollos had to be in agreement with Paul's Gospel because he had learned from Priscilla and Aquila, who had been with Paul. The divisions were not based on doctrine but personalities. Apollos helped those who believed through grace, showing he embraced the message Paul taught.
Why Christians Are Divided — 1 Corinthians 3 Explained Verse by Verse
Aquila, and worked, for by their occupation they were tent makers." Ephesians 1.26a "...he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks." Now as time goes by, and as Paul and Priscilla and Aquila are spending at least a certain amount of their daily time with their trade, what do you suppose Paul constantly talked about? Well his Gospel. That's all Paul could talk about.
Apollos's Jewish Flavor
Les explains that Apollos preached much the same as Paul, but with a Jewish flavor because of his background with John the Baptist, which attracted some Corinthians to him.
Apollos's Natural Appeal
Les describes Apollos as eloquent, charismatic, and able to magnetize audiences, which is why some believers preferred him over Paul.
Apollos's Learning From Lay People
Les highlights that Apollos was humble enough to learn from Priscilla and Aquila, two common tent makers, which enabled him to help grace believers.
Apollos's Instruction vs. Paul's Revelation
Les contrasts Apollos, who was taught by others, with Paul, who received his gospel directly by revelation, showing why Apollos was more polished and appealing as a speaker.
What Most Christians Miss About Grace — 1 Corinthians Explained
In other words, the first thing Paul had to establish to whomever he wrote was the authority that was connected to his apostleship. Now as we come into the chapter a little more, probably in our next program we're going to see that one of the big problems the Corinthians had were divisions where some said, well, I'm a Paulist follower. I'm a follower of Paul.
Apollos's Ministry in Achaia
Les explains that after learning from Priscilla and Aquila, Apollos went to Achaia and helped believers who had believed through grace, proving he was in agreement with Paul's gospel.
Why Paul Called Himself the "Chief of Sinners" — 1 Timothy 1:15 Explained
And as a result of that of course, Paul makes it very plain that the Corinthians were still so carnal. They were not a spiritual church like Ephesus or Philippi, but they were a church beset with all kinds of problems. Now the first ones we noticed of course were their divisions.
Acts 18:24: And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.
This verse introduces Apollos and his abilities, which made him attractive to listeners.
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 shows how Apollos learned the fuller message of grace from Priscilla and Aquila.
1 Corinthians 1:12: Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
This verse directly reveals the Corinthians' division over which leader to follow.
No. Apollos was a believer who was instructed in the way of the Lord, though initially only knowing the baptism of John. After being taught by Priscilla and Aquila, he preached the same grace gospel as Paul and helped believers through grace.
No. Les indicates there was no doctrinal disagreement; the division was based on personalities. Apollos was in agreement with Paul's gospel, and the Corinthians' preference was a loyalty to a human leader.
Because Apollos was eloquent and charismatic, with a magnetic personality, whereas Paul was not as naturally appealing in appearance or speaking style. The Corinthians were drawn to Apollos's style rather than his doctrine.
Watch the Teaching: Why Christians Are Divided — 1 Corinthians 3 Explained Verse by Verse