26 So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. 27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; 28 for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
18:26
So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside to instruct him on what had happened since the days of John the Baptist. The one area where Apollos was not accurate was the doctrine of the baptism of the Spirit. Correcting a fellow believer in private is always wise.
18:27
And when he desired to cross to Achaia,
Apollos wanted to go to Corinth in the province of Achaia in Greece by sailing across the Aegean Sea (Acts 19:1).
the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him;
Christians in Ephesus gave Apollos written credentials of his faith. This letter of recommendation shows the communication of churches between themselves in the first century. Evidently, believers formed a church in Ephesus by this time whereby they could send a letter endorsing Apollos.
and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
When Apollos arrived at Achaia, he was able to help local believers, those who “believed through grace” (1 Co 1:12; 3:4-6, 22; 4:6). It was clear that the Corinthian congregation viewed their salvation as salvation by God’s grace of providing Christ, His crucifixion, and resurrection to the church. Faith is a gift of grace (Eph 2:8).
18:28
for he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.
Apollos demonstrated his extensive knowledge of the Old Testament by showing from Scripture that Jesus is the Christ (Messiah). He did this in a way that “refuted” the Jews publicly. The word “refuted” is emphatic (double compound), giving the sense that he demolished those who tried to argue against him.
Believers in Corinth held Apollos in high esteem (1 Co 1:12; 3:4, 6).
PRINCIPLE:
Grace is always the way God deals with His people.
APPLICATION:
People become Christians by “grace” (Eph 2:8-9). It is entirely a gift from God, not works. Christians live their daily lives by God’s grace (Ro 6:1-14). Believers are not under the law but under grace (Ro 6:14).
