Acts 18:26 – “He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.”

Extended Explanation

This verse continues the story of Apollos, a gifted and passionate teacher who had been teaching about Jesus in Ephesus. He was bold in preaching in the synagogue, meaning he wasn’t afraid to publicly proclaim what he believed. However, his understanding of the gospel was incomplete—he only knew about the baptism of John (Acts 18:25).

That’s when Priscilla and Aquila, a faithful Christian couple, stepped in. Instead of criticizing him publicly, they took him aside and invited him into their home. There, they gently corrected and taught him the full truth about Jesus—including His death, resurrection, and the role of the Holy Spirit.

This verse teaches several important lessons:

1. Apollos was bold in his faith, even though he still had more to learn.
2. Priscilla and Aquila showed wisdom in correcting him privately, rather than embarrassing him.
3. Apollos was humble and willing to be taught, showing a teachable spirit.
4. The importance of discipleship—spiritual growth happens when believers help each other understand God’s truth more fully.

This was a defining moment for Apollos. After this, he became an even more effective teacher, greatly strengthening the church (Acts 18:27-28).

Historical Context

Apollos was a Jewish man from Alexandria, a city known for its education and scholarship. He was highly educated in the Old Testament Scriptures, but his knowledge of Jesus was incomplete.

Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple who had worked with Paul as tentmakers (Acts 18:2-3). They had been personally discipled by Paul, which meant they had a solid understanding of the gospel.

At this time, Christianity was still spreading, and not everyone had heard the full message. Some people, like Apollos, knew about Jesus but not about His full mission. That’s why God used people like Paul, Priscilla, and Aquila to disciple others.

This verse also shows how the early church functioned—it wasn’t just about large gatherings, but also about one-on-one discipleship in homes.

Theological Implications

1. Even gifted believers need discipleship – Apollos was a skilled speaker, but he still needed more understanding. No one ever “arrives” in their faith—we should all keep learning.
2. Teaching should be done with kindness and wisdom – Priscilla and Aquila corrected Apollos, but they did it privately and graciously. This is an example of how to correct someone in love.
3. The importance of knowing the full gospel – Apollos had a partial understanding, but Priscilla and Aquila helped him grasp the full message of Jesus. It’s important that we share the whole truth about salvation.
4. The role of both men and women in discipleship – Priscilla and Aquila worked together in teaching and mentoring others, showing that women also played a key role in strengthening the church.

Literary Analysis

Luke, the author of Acts, writes this verse in a way that highlights the humility of Apollos and the gentleness of Priscilla and Aquila.

• “He began to speak boldly in the synagogue” – Shows Apollos’ confidence and passion for teaching.
• “When Priscilla and Aquila heard him” – They were discerning and recognized that Apollos needed further instruction.
• “They invited him to their home” – Instead of publicly correcting him, they privately discipled him in a personal setting.
• “Explained to him the way of God more adequately” – This phrase means they filled in the missing pieces of his understanding about Jesus.

This verse also emphasizes the importance of personal discipleship, which was a major part of the early church’s growth.

Biblical Cross-References

• Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Discipleship helps believers grow in knowledge and wisdom.)
• Colossians 3:16 – “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.” (Like Priscilla and Aquila did for Apollos.)
• 2 Timothy 2:2 – “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” (A clear example of discipleship in action.)
• Matthew 28:19-20 – Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples and teach them everything He had taught.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

1. We should be open to correction – Like Apollos, we should be willing to learn from others who have a deeper understanding of Scripture.
2. Correct others with love and wisdom – If we meet a fellow believer who has an incomplete or incorrect understanding, we should teach them patiently, not criticize them publicly.
3. True discipleship happens in relationships – Apollos grew in his faith because Priscilla and Aquila took the time to teach him. We should be intentional about mentoring and helping others grow in their faith.
4. Both men and women have a role in teaching others – Priscilla and Aquila worked together in discipling Apollos, showing that mentorship is for all believers.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in how He patiently teaches and corrects His people. Instead of letting Apollos continue in an incomplete understanding, God provided mentors to guide him.

This shows that God doesn’t leave us in ignorance—He brings people into our lives to help us grow in truth. His love is gentle, patient, and full of wisdom.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

1. Jesus was the ultimate teacher – Just as Priscilla and Aquila taught Apollos, Jesus spent His ministry teaching and discipling people (Luke 24:27).
2. Jesus calls us to grow in knowledge – Jesus told His disciples to learn and obey all that He commanded (John 8:31-32).
3. Jesus corrects with love – Just like Apollos was corrected with kindness, Jesus corrects us not to shame us but to lead us into truth (John 16:13).

Apollos’ story reminds us that learning more about Jesus is a lifelong process—we should always be growing in knowledge and faith.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How do you respond when someone corrects your understanding of Scripture?
2. Are you actively helping disciple others, like Priscilla and Aquila did?
3. Have you ever been passionate about something, only to later realize you needed deeper understanding?
4. What can you learn from Priscilla and Aquila’s gentle and private way of correcting Apollos?
5. How can you be more teachable and open to spiritual growth in your own life?