APOLLOS (a-pal los), (Cr 'A71-0XX6r. aft of lose', belonging to Apollo), a Jew of Alexandria, is de scribed as a learned, or, as some understand it, an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures and the Jewish religion (Acts xviii:24; About A. D. 56 he came to Ephesus, where, in the synagogues, lie spoke about the baptism of John (verse 25). by which we are prdbably to understand that he knew and taught the doctrine of a Messiah, whose coming John had announced, but knew not that Jesus was the Christ. His fervor, however, attracted the notice of Aquila and Priscilla, whom Paul had left at Ephesus, and they instructed him in this higher doctrine, which he thenceforth taught openly, with great zeal and power (verse 26).
Having heard from his new friends, who were much attached to Paul, of that apostle's proceed ings in Achaia, and especially at Corinth. he re solved to go thither, and was encouraged in this design by the brethren at Ephesus, who furnished him with letters of introduction. On his arrival there he was very useful in watering the seed which Paul had sown and was instrumental in gaining many new converts from Judaism.
There was, perhaps, no apostle or apostolical man who so much resembled Paid in attainments and character as Apollos. His immediate disciples became so much attached to him, as well nigh to have produced a schism in the church, some saying, 'I am of Paul :' others, 'I am of Apollos:' others, 'I am of Ceplias' Cor I:12; iii :4 7, 22). There must. probably, have been sonic difference in their mode of teaching to occasion this, and from the First Epistle to the Corinthians it would appear that Apollos was not prepared to go so far as Paul in abandoning the figments of Juda ism, and insisted less on the, to the Jews, oh noxious position that the Gospel was open to the Gentiles. There was nothing. however, to pre
vent these two eminent men from being perfectly united in the bonds of Christian affection and brotherhood. When Apollos heard that Paul was again at Ephesus he went thither to see him, and as he was there when the First Epistle to the Corinthians was written (A. D. about 59). there can be no doubt that the apostle received from him his information concerning the divisions in that church which he so forcibly reproves. It strongly illustrates the character of Apollos and Paul that the former, doubtless in disgust at those divisions with which his name had been associ ated, declined to return to Corinth; while the lat ter, with generous confidence, urged him to do so (i Cor. xvi:i2). Paul again mentions Apollos kindly in Tit. iii:13, and recommends him and Zenas, the lawyer, to the attention of Titus, know ing that they designed to visit Crete, where Titus then was. Apollos was so dissatisfied with the division which had happened on his account at Corinth that he retired into Crete with Zenas, hut this interruption of Christian harmony hav ing been appeased by the letter of Paul to the Corinthians, Apollos returned to that city, and afterwards, according to the best authority, be came bishop there. The Greeks make him bishop of Duras; but, in their Menxa, they describe him as second bishop of Colophon, in Asia. Ferrarius says he was bishop of Iconium, in Phrygia ; others say he was bishop of Cxsarea.