William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Acts 18:24

The first thing here observable, is, How the wisdom of God provided for the several churches, that in the absence of one powerful preacher they were supplied with another; when the providence of God called St. Paul from Ephesus and Corinth, it brought Apollos thither: so that what Paul planted, Apollos watered. The judicious Calvin, upon the place, piously admires the providence of God over his church, in not suffering it to be without. settled minister; but upon the removal of one, to raise up another.

Observe, 2. How admirably qualified Apollos was for the work of the gospel, and excellently fitted and furnished for the places he was called to, Ephesus and Corinth, famous for philosophers and orators; accordingly he is. man of ravishing eloquence, who, by his profound knowledge in the sacred scriptures, was both apt to teach the truth, and able to maintain it.

Hence learn, That scripture knowledge is the choicest qualification and highest commendation of. gospel minister. Apollos, an eloquent man and mighty in the scriptures: without this, he can never truly and savingly make known and discover Jesus Christ: without this, he can never rightly divide the word of truth; without this, he can never convince gainsayers, either gainsayers in opinion, or gainsayers in practice; without this, he can never instruct the people fully in their duty, nor declare to them the whole council of God.

Observe, 3. The great humility of Apollos: although he was an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, yet he did not disdain farther instruction. Those that are most knowing, if humble, are most sensible of their ignorance: the knowledge of the best, while they are on this side heaven, is capable of improvements. Apollos knew much, yet Aquila and Priscilla catechize the great Apollos, and add something to the treasure of his knowledge.

Observe, 4. The place where Apollos preached: in the Jewish synagogue, ver. 26. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. It was. custom among the Jews to allow. liberty for learned men, though no priests, to teach in the synagogues. Thus Paul, though of the tribe of Benjamin,and not of the tribe of Levi, was permitted to preach in their synagogues, as we read throughout this book of the Acts.

In like manner we find Apollos here preaching in the synagogue: Non ut habens auctoritatem sed scientiam, says Estius; taking the advantage of that indulgence which the Jews gave him in their synagogues, to preach and spread the doctrine of Christ.

Observe, lastly, That this Apollos afterwards became an eminent authorized preacher in the church of Corinth, and is called St. Paul's helper and brother: and when he came to Corinth, was so eminent, that he proved the head of. sect and faction: One sayeth,. am of Paul, and. of Apollos. And here at Ephesus he mightily convinced the Jews, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.

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William Burkitt's Expository Notes

Acts 18:24

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