Apollos

Apollos was a Jewish man from Alexandria — the great intellectual center of the Mediterranean world — described as "an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures." He arrived in Ephesus with enthusiasm and accurate knowledge about Jesus, but knowing only the baptism of John, his grasp of the faith was incomplete. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him speak in the synagogue they did not correct him publicly; they "took him aside" and explained the way of God to him more accurately. The episode is a model of wise, private mentorship.

With his instruction completed, Apollos moved to Achaia — specifically Corinth — where he proved enormously effective: 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." He became so popular that some Corinthians claimed him as their teacher over Paul or Peter, causing factional divisions. Paul addressed this directly in 1 Corinthians, insisting that Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth — and that both were servants of the same Lord. Paul later wrote warmly of Apollos and urged Titus to assist him on his travels, showing that he bore no rivalry toward the eloquent Alexandrian.