He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse highlights that even someone eloquent and knowledgeable in Scripture, like Apollos, can benefit from private, gentle correction. Priscilla and Aquila didn't publicly shame him; they took him aside, demonstrating that humility and a willingness to learn are key, regardless of one's current standing or giftedness. It's a beautiful picture of the community of faith gently shaping and refining one another's understanding of God's truth.
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Apollos, a gifted speaker knowledgeable in Scripture, had been teaching in the synagogue about Jesus but lacked a full understanding of God's plan as revealed through Christ. Priscilla and Aquila, having learned the gospel from Paul, privately met with Apollos after hearing him speak. They then gently guided him, more accurately explaining the way of God and the completed work of Christ.
Apollos was a powerful speaker, deeply knowledgeable in the Scriptures. Yet, he was missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. What was it, and why does it matter so much?
Apollos was known for his eloquence and his mastery of the Old Testament Scriptures. He passionately taught about Jesus, but his understanding was incomplete. Priscilla and Aquila, who had been taught directly by Paul, recognized that Apollos only knew the baptism of John. They understood that he needed to know the full Gospel message: salvation by grace, justification by faith, the role of the Holy Spirit, and our union with Christ through baptism and the Lord's Supper. Their intervention highlights that even those with great gifts and zeal need the complete truth of God's Word to lead others effectively.
Imagine being a gifted public speaker and teacher, and then being privately tutored by a couple who were tentmakers. What does this tell us about true spiritual growth?
This encounter beautifully illustrates the virtue of humility in spiritual maturity. Apollos, a man described as 'mighty in the Scriptures' and eloquent, didn't shy away from correction. When Priscilla and Aquila (with Priscilla often mentioned first in the best manuscripts) heard his deficiency, they gently took him aside. Apollos, in turn, was not ashamed to receive instruction from them, even though they were tentmakers and one of them was a woman. This humility allowed him to grow, demonstrating that pride is a barrier to truth, while a humble heart is open to learning from anyone God uses.
Ask a follow-up
Often overlooked, this couple played a vital role in shaping one of the New Testament's great preachers. What can we learn from their example of partnership?
Priscilla and Aquila are presented not just as a couple, but as a ministry team. They faithfully attended synagogue services, listened discerningly, and acted collaboratively to correct Apollos. While societal norms of the time restricted women's public teaching roles, this passage shows Priscilla’s significant spiritual insight and her active participation in discipleship alongside her husband. They provided a crucial, private correction that was both gentle and effective, ensuring Apollos could more accurately share the Gospel. Their example reminds us that ministry is often a partnership, where individuals with different gifts work together to build up the body of Christ.
Understand the original words
parrēsiazomai · Greek Verb
To speak with confidence, freedom of speech, or openness, often in the context of proclaiming the gospel despite opposition or social pressure.
synagōgē · Greek Noun
An assembly of Jewish people for the purpose of worship, reading the law, and instruction; the center of Jewish community life in the diaspora.
ektithēmi · Greek Verb
The systematic unfolding or teaching of doctrine and truths, specifically concerning the gospel and the new covenant reality.
hodos · Greek Noun
The manner, path, or system of living and believing prescribed by God; in the NT, it refers specifically to the gospel of Jesus Christ.
c. 41-49 AD
Claudius Expels Jews from Rome
Emperor Claudius banished Jews from Rome due to unrest related to 'Chrestus'. This likely led Aquila and Priscilla, Jewish Christians who were tentmakers, to move to Corinth.
c. 50-52 AD
Paul in Corinth
The Apostle Paul lived and ministered in Corinth for about two years, establishing a significant church. He likely met Aquila and Priscilla here, and they were instrumental in his ministry.
c. 52 AD— this verse
Apollos Arrives in Ephesus
Apollos, a Jewish Christian from Alexandria, arrived in Ephesus. He was eloquent and well-versed in the Scriptures but had an incomplete understanding of Jesus' teachings.
c. 52 AD
Aquila and Priscilla Teach Apollos
Aquila and Priscilla heard Apollos speaking in the synagogue and, recognizing his potential but also his gaps in knowledge, privately instructed him further in the 'way of God,' likely the gospel as they knew it from Paul.
c. 53-56 AD
Paul's Ministry in Ephesus
Later, Paul himself would minister in Ephesus for over two years, further solidifying the church there and continuing the work of spreading the gospel.
This passage calls for unity in speech and thought, highlighting the importance of accurate understanding and teaching within the church, which Apollos ultimately received from Priscilla and Aquila.
1 Timothy 2:11-12While the text notes Priscilla's role in teaching Apollos, this passage addresses the specific context of public teaching roles for women, showing the nuance in how women could contribute to spiritual instruction.
2 Timothy 1:5This verse mentions Timothy's sincere faith, inherited from his mother and grandmother, underscoring how foundational spiritual teaching passed down through family and close mentorship can be, much like Apollos learned from Priscilla and Aquila.
Ephesians 4:11-14This passage describes the equipping of believers for ministry and the goal of reaching unity in the faith and knowledge of the Son of God, a process Apollos underwent to become a more complete minister of the gospel.
Hebrews 5:12This verse laments spiritual immaturity, stating that those who have had time to learn should be teachers, which is relevant to Apollos's situation where he had considerable knowledge but needed further accurate instruction to move beyond basic understanding.
pooleActs 18:26: "And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly."
If we allow Priscilla to have contributed towards the instruction of Apollos, as doubtless we may, it is certain it was only in private discourse; which being joined with a meek and humble behaviour, might be very effectual for the conversion of souls, 1 Peter 3:1,2 . Thus Timothy was indebted for his knowledge in t…
barnesActs 18:26: "And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly."
And expounded - Explained. The way of God - Gave him full and ample instructions respecting the Messiah as having already come, and respecting the nature of his work.
This verse highlights that even someone eloquent and knowledgeable in Scripture, like Apollos, can benefit from private, gentle correction. Priscilla and Aquila didn't publicly shame him; they took him aside, demonstrating that humility and a willingness to learn are key, regardless of one's current standing or giftedness. It's a beautiful picture of the community of faith gently shaping and refining one another's understanding of God's truth.
Apollos, a gifted speaker knowledgeable in Scripture, had been teaching in the synagogue about Jesus but lacked a full understanding of God's plan as revealed through Christ. Priscilla and Aquila, having learned the gospel from Paul, privately met with Apollos after hearing him speak. They then gently guided him, more accurately explaining the way of God and the completed work of Christ.
Apollos, a gifted speaker knowledgeable in Scripture, had been teaching in the synagogue about Jesus but lacked a full understanding of God's plan as revealed through Christ. Priscilla and Aquila, having learned the gospel from Paul, privately met with Apollos after hearing him speak. They then gently guided him, more accurately explaining the way of God and the completed work of Christ.
"He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately." — This verse highlights that even someone eloquent and knowledgeable in Scripture, like Apollos, can benefit from private, gentle correction. Priscilla and Aquila didn't publicly shame him; they took h…
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Last reviewed October 2026