What's so cool here is that the "through grace" phrase can link to both Apollos and the believers. It means Apollos's powerful help was enabled by God's grace, and those he helped believed only because of God's grace—faith itself is a gift. This highlights that every bit of spiritual progress, from the preacher's skill to the listener's belief, is ultimately God's work.
And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Apollos, having been further instructed by Priscilla and Aquila, felt led to travel to Achaia, likely to Corinth, where Paul had previously ministered. The believers in Ephesus sent letters of recommendation ahead of him, encouraging the disciples there to welcome him warmly. Upon his arrival, Apollos proved to be a powerful force in strengthening those who had already embraced the faith through God's grace.
Have you ever felt hesitant to join a new group or trust a new teacher? This verse shows how the early church used letters to build bridges.
When Apollos wanted to move from Ephesus to Achaia (which included Corinth), the brothers there didn't just let him go.
Sending Apollos Off
This practice shows a beautiful sense of unity and mutual support within the early church. They actively worked to ensure their gifted members could serve effectively wherever they went, building up believers across different regions.
What made Apollos so effective? It wasn't just his knowledge, but how God's grace worked through him.
The verse states that Apollos "greatly helped those who through grace had believed." This highlights the unique role Apollos played and the source of his effectiveness.
Apollos's Ministry:
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Understand the original words
adelphoi · Greek Noun
Believers in Jesus Christ; a term reflecting the spiritual kinship and unity among the people of God.
mathētēs · Greek Noun
Those who follow or learn from a teacher; in the NT, it refers to those who have committed their lives to follow Jesus Christ.
charis · Greek Noun
The unmerited favor, kindness, and enabling power of God bestowed upon sinful humanity, particularly through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ.
diakatelenchomai · Greek Verb
To demonstrate, prove, or convince through logical argument or evidence, particularly in debates regarding theological truth.
graphē · Greek Noun
The holy writings of the Old Testament, regarded as inspired by God and providing the foundation for understanding the Messiah.
Christos · Greek Noun
The Anointed One of God, the promised King and Savior of Israel and the world, who fulfills Old Testament prophecy.
This verse highlights the importance of community support and commendation in early Christianity, as well as the collaborative nature of ministry where individuals like Apollos built upon the foundations laid by others.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spent about eighteen months in Corinth, establishing a significant church and teaching the doctrines of Christ. This period laid the foundation for the Christian community in Achaia.
c. AD 52-54
Apollos Arrives in Ephesus
Apollos, a learned Jew from Alexandria, arrived in Ephesus. He was eloquent and knowledgeable in the Scriptures, but initially only knew the baptism of John. Priscilla and Aquila taught him the way of God more accurately.
c. AD 54— this verse
Corinthian Request to Apollos
Some Corinthians visiting Ephesus heard Apollos preach and urged him to travel with them to their hometown, Corinth.
c. AD 54
Ephesian Letter of Recommendation
The Ephesian believers, impressed by Apollos, wrote letters to the disciples in Corinth encouraging them to welcome and receive Apollos warmly as a fellow minister.
c. AD 54-55
Apollos' Ministry in Corinth
Apollos arrived in Corinth and proved to be a powerful speaker who greatly strengthened the believers through his teaching, especially in refuting the Jewish objections to Jesus as the Messiah.
c. AD 55
Emergence of Factions
Apollos' eloquent ministry, while beneficial, inadvertently led to divisions within the Corinthian church, with some followers professing allegiance to him over Paul or others.
This passage echoes the idea of Apollos 'watering' those who have believed, directly referencing the concept introduced in Acts 18:27 about helping those who have believed through grace.
Ephesians 2:8The verse mentions that belief comes 'through grace,' and Ephesians 2:8 is a foundational text explaining that salvation itself is by grace through faith, highlighting the divine origin of belief.
2 Corinthians 3:3This passage speaks of believers being a 'letter' written by Christ, which connects to the idea of Apollos helping those who had already believed, implying their faith was a visible testament to God's work, as well as the practice of 'letters of commendation' mentioned in commentaries.
John 15:5Jesus states, 'apart from me you can do nothing.' This powerfully reinforces the 'through grace' aspect of Acts 18:27, emphasizing that any good work or help rendered is dependent on God's enabling power.
Romans 12:6-8This passage details various spiritual gifts given by grace, providing context for how Apollos' specific abilities would have been understood as gifts from God, enabling him to 'help much' the believers.
pooleActs 18:27: "And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:"
To pass into Achaia; to Corinth, which was in Achaia. The brethren wrote; who were at Ephesus. Helped them much which had believed through grace; Apollos helped them much by his eloquence, zeal, and constancy, which all are the gifts of God; but, especially, that they believed was through grace; for fait…
bensonActs 18:27: "And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:"
Acts 18:27-28 . And when — Having received this more perfect instruction in the Christian faith; he was disposed to pass into Achaia — That he might preach the word at Corinth, and other places in that province; the brethren — Of Ephesus; wrote, exhorting the disciples there to receive him — With all aff…
What's so cool here is that the "through grace" phrase can link to both Apollos and the believers. It means Apollos's powerful help was enabled by God's grace, and those he helped believed only because of God's grace—faith itself is a gift. This highlights that every bit of spiritual progress, from the preacher's skill to the listener's belief, is ultimately God's work.
Apollos, having been further instructed by Priscilla and Aquila, felt led to travel to Achaia, likely to Corinth, where Paul had previously ministered. The believers in Ephesus sent letters of recommendation ahead of him, encouraging the disciples there to welcome him warmly. Upon his arrival, Apollos proved to be a powerful force in strengthening those who had already embraced the faith through God's grace.
Apollos, having been further instructed by Priscilla and Aquila, felt led to travel to Achaia, likely to Corinth, where Paul had previously ministered. The believers in Ephesus sent letters of recommendation ahead of him, encouraging the disciples there to welcome him warmly. Upon his arrival, Apollos proved to be a powerful force in strengthening those who had already embraced the faith through God's grace.
"And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by…" — What's so cool here is that the "through grace" phrase can link to both Apollos and the believers. It means Apollos's powerful help was enabled by God's grace, and those he helped believed only b…
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Last reviewed October 2026
