Acts 18:28

Mightily convinced. Gr. diakatelegchomai, “to thoroughly argue down,” “to convince thoroughly.” Apollos brought the objections of the Jews to the test of Scripture and confuted them. He led the Jews to the same conclusion to which Paul had urged them. His method would probably be different from that of Paul, the difference being in his personality. His labors naturally attracted followers to the new preacher, and perhaps gave him a larger numerical success than had attended the efforts of Paul. As Apollos does not appear again in the Acts, note should here be made of what is known of his later history. Although his name was used at Corinth as the watchword of a party, Paul indicates no doctrinal differences between himself and Apollos, and since both had been in close contact congenially with Aquila and Priscilla, there probably was no disagreement. It would appear from 1 Cor. 16:12 that Apollos eventually returned to Ephesus, probably with letters of commendation from the church of Corinth (2 Cor. 3:1). Paul had confidence in him, as shown by his wish that he might return again to Corinth with Stephanas, Fortunatas, and Achaicus (1 Cor. 16:12, 17). Apollos drops out of sight after this until well toward the end of Paul’s career. We may believe that the intervening years were filled with earnest evangelistic labor such as he had performed at Ephesus and Corinth. Toward the close of Paul’s ministry (c. A.D. 67) Apollos is mentioned by Paul (Titus 3:13). He was in company with Zenas, the lawyer, that is, one who like Apollos had an established reputation for a deep knowledge of the law, either Jewish or Roman (see on Matt. 22:35; Vol. V, pp. 55, 56). Paul’s feeling toward Apollos evidently continued to be one of affectionate interest, for he asked Titus to give him all possible help. Apollos had been laboring at Crete, and there had apparently gathered around him a distinct company of disciples, whom Paul distinguishes from those who were associated with him (Titus 3:13, 14). Jesus was Christ. Rather, “the Christ to be Jesus,” or “Jesus to be the Christ” (see on v. 5; ch. 17:3).