Topical Bible: Corinth: Visited by Apollos

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Corinth, a prominent city in ancient Greece, holds significant importance in the New Testament as a center of early Christian activity. Known for its strategic location on the isthmus connecting mainland Greece with the Peloponnese, Corinth was a bustling hub of commerce and culture. The Apostle Paul established a church there during his second missionary journey, as recorded in Acts 18, and later addressed the Corinthian believers in his epistles, 1 and 2 Corinthians.

Apollos, a learned Jew from Alexandria, is noted for his visit to Corinth, which played a crucial role in the development of the early church in this city. Apollos is first introduced in Acts 18:24-28, where he is described as "an eloquent man, well-versed in the Scriptures" (Acts 18:24). He initially preached in Ephesus, where Priscilla and Aquila, associates of Paul, instructed him more accurately in the way of God.

After his time in Ephesus, Apollos traveled to Achaia, the region where Corinth is located. Acts 18:27-28 recounts his journey: "When Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On his arrival, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ" .

Apollos' ministry in Corinth is further referenced in Paul's first letter to the Corinthians. In 1 Corinthians 1:12, Paul addresses divisions within the church, noting that some believers claimed allegiance to Apollos: "What I mean is this: One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Cephas'; still another, 'I follow Christ'" . This indicates that Apollos had a significant impact on the Corinthian church, enough to be considered a leader alongside Paul and Peter.

Paul further elaborates on the roles of himself and Apollos in 1 Corinthians 3:5-6: "What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow" . This metaphor highlights the complementary nature of their ministries, with Paul establishing the church and Apollos nurturing its growth through his teaching and eloquence.

The presence of Apollos in Corinth underscores the collaborative efforts of early Christian leaders in spreading the Gospel and strengthening the fledgling church. His visit exemplifies the diverse gifts and backgrounds that contributed to the church's expansion, as well as the challenges of unity and identity faced by early believers. Apollos' role in Corinth remains a testament to the power of eloquent and scripturally grounded teaching in affirming the truth of Jesus Christ and edifying the body of believers.

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Acts 19:1
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
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Library

The Conversion of Apollos, his Character, and the Ministry of Paul ...
... I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase." [117:4]. ... are good grounds
for believing that he now visited Crete, as well as Corinth; and it ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter viii the conversion of.htm

The First Epistle to the Corinthians
... a corrective for the party spirit, when he says: "Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas ...
a. We know that Paul visited Corinth in AD52, Acts 18:1, and again in 57 ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the first epistle to the.htm

The Epistle to Titus
... left Corinth and had on the way visited Crete ... seems to preclude a trip from Corinth
to Crete ... these theories leave Pauls acquaintance with Apollos, presupposed in ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the epistle to titus.htm

The First Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians
... concerning himself, and also Cephas and Apollos, because you ... the government of the
province was directed from Corinth. ... Paul visited it, it was under a proconsul ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter x the first epistle.htm

A Message of Warning and Entreaty
... The dissensions that had prevailed at the time of Apollos's visit had greatly ... Gladly
would he have visited Corinth at once, had this been the wisest course to ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 29 a message of.htm

From Antioch to the Destruction of Jerusalem.
... was the incident of the work of Apollos and the ... into Macedonia and seems to have
visited the principal cities and finally arrived at Corinth where a ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xx from antioch to.htm

Picture of a Pauline Church
... Others took the name of Apollonians from Apollos, an eloquent teacher from Alexandria,
who visited Corinth between Paul's second and third journeys. ...
/.../stalker/the life of st paul/chapter viii picture of a.htm

Laboring under Difficulties
... When Paul first visited Corinth, he found himself among a ... the example of Paul at
Thessalonica, Corinth, Ephesus, and ... were used by God to show Apollos the way ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 33 laboring under difficulties.htm

Acts xviii. 18
... v.22-23.) He came again to those places which he had previously visited. ... v.28.)
"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul, having ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xl acts xviii 18.htm

Acts XVIII
... when it was fully exposed, they visited upon the ... the frequent commercial intercourse
between Corinth and Ephesus ... (24) "Now a certain Jew named Apollos, born in ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xviii.htm