¹²But concerning Apollos our brother, I encouraged him greatly to come to you with the brethren; and it was not at all his desire to come now, but he will come when he has opportunity.

Described as “an eloquent man … and mighty in the Scriptures” before he came to the full knowledge of Christ (Acts 18:24), imagine what Apollos was like after his conversion. Here was a Bible scholar (we would say today, an Old Testament scholar). In him, we see a step-wise coming to faith in Christ as his knowledge of the Lord increased. He “had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John…” (Acts 18:25). Originally from Alexandria, he was converted in Ephesus by Priscilla and Aquila, who “explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26), and after moving to Corinth in Achaia he became relentless and “powerfully refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ” (Acts 18:28, 19:1).

Apollos was so influential in Corinth that when the believers there fell into sectarianism, his following rivaled that of Paul and Peter (1 Cor. 1:12, 3:4). There is nothing in Scripture to suggest he encouraged that, nor was there any jealousy with Paul, who acknowledged him as among the “servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one” (1 Cor. 3:5). In the ultimate statement of teamwork coordinated by God, Paul asserted, “I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Cor. 3:6).

With Timothy, Paul “sent” him to the Corinthians, but with Apollos, he “encouraged him greatly to come to you.” Timothy was Paul’s “beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways…” (1 Cor. 4:17). Apollos is identified simply as “our brother.” Paul did not lead him to Christ, nor was Apollos one of Paul’s understudies. In fact, we have no direct evidence that they ever traveled together or even personally met (although one would reasonably assume they had). We can infer, though, they certainly had at least some correspondence and a relationship such that the apostle felt free to influence him about further ministry involvement with the Corinthians.

Paul saw Apollos as a solid “brother” and co-worker who could be trusted to deal with the Corinthians, without having to ask the Corinthians to go easy on him as he did concerning Timothy (1 Cor. 16:10). While Apollos had other plans, at least for the short term, he shared Paul’s love for the Corinthians and desired to build on the foundation laid by the apostle. He would eventually go.

Lord, help me be a faithful brother and co-worker with others in Your service.