²⁴ Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. ²⁵ He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. ²⁶ When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.

²⁷ Apollos had been thinking about going to Achaia, and the brothers and sisters in Ephesus encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers in Achaia, asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed. ²⁸ He refuted the Jews with powerful arguments in public debate. Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah.

Acts 18:24-28

Dear God, I don’t think I’ve appreciated Apollos at all. As I read this story, I would love to know the difference between what he knew before verse 26 and what he knew after. What was the difference? Was it the Holy Spirit? Did he only understand repentance and that Jesus was the Messiah, but did they tell him about Jesus’s actual radical teaching: love your enemies, if you think it you’ve done it, etc.

I can be eloquent when I speak. And I like to teach. But am I like Apollos or am I more like Priscilla and Aquila? How much more education do I need? The answer is, “A lot,” I’m sure.

And then there is this lovely couple, Priscilla and Aquila. The investment they made in Apollos rippled through the rest of the New Testament. Paul references Apollos in 1 Corinthians 3, 4, and 16 as well as in Titus 3–all very positive. In a body with many parts, they played a small part, but it was crucial.

Father, someone asked me to pray with them recently about “how big they were supposed to be.” Someone was calling them to be more than they currently are in a ministry, but she wasn’t sure if that was right. I don’t know what is right for them either. But just like you know exactly how big an oak tree is supposed to be when it is still an acorn, you know who this woman is and what her role is in your world. Show that to her. Reveal it to her. Douse any feelings of shame or inadequacy she might be having. I know they are not of you. Please help her to find just her next step.

I pray all of this in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen