Acts 18:24

Apollos. Probably a contraction of Apollonius or Apollodorus. The following verses are parenthetical and provide a background for what later occurred. The facts given in the NT concerning Apollos suggest that he had a prominent place in the early church. His influence as a Christian teacher made itself markedly felt in Corinth. Paul mentions a party of his followers there (see 1 Cor. 1:12; 3:5; 4:6). Born at Alexandria. Literally, “an Alexandrian by birth.” It was in Alexandria, and by Jews, that the LXX translation of the OT had been made. Alexandria was a great center of learning, containing one of the greatest libraries of the ancient world. The philosopher Philo was an outstanding intellectual leader among the Jews there. Since he lived till about A.D. 50, Apollos might well have come under his influence. Eloquent. Gr. logios, “learned,” “eloquent.” Either translation gives only half the idea of the word. He was learned, and could use his learning effectively. Mighty. Gr. dunatos, “able,” “powerful.”