APOLLOS, in Scripture History, a Jew of Alexandria, who came to Ephesus during the absence of St Paul at Jerusalem (Acts xviii. 24). Apollos was an eloquent man, and well versed in the Scriptures, and preached in the synagogue, with zeal and fervour the doctrine of a Messiah, knowing as yet "only the baptism of John." Aquila and Priscilla having heard him, took him home with them, instructed him more fully in the doctrines of the Gospel, and baptized him.
Some time after this he travelled into Achaia; and, having come to Corinth, was there very useful in convincing the Jews out of the Scriptures, and demonstrating to them that Jesus was the Christ. Thus he watered what St Paul had planted in this city. (1 Cor. iii. 6.) But the great affection which his disciples entertained for him threatened to produce a schism, some saying, I am of Paul, others, I am of Apollos, I am of Cephas. This division, however, which St Paul speaks of in the chapter last quoted, did not prevent that apostle and Apollos from being closely united by the bonds of charity. Apollos hearing that the apostle was at Ephesus, went to meet him, and was there when St Paul wrote the first epistle to the Corinthians; wherein he testifies that he had earnestly entreated Apollos to return to Corinth, but hitherto had not been able to prevail with him; that nevertheless he gave him room to hope that he would go when he had an opportunity. St Jerome says that Apollos was so dissatisfied with these divisions at Corinth, that he retired into Crete with Zenas, a doctor of the law; and that this disturbance having been appeased by St Paul's letter to the Corinthians, Apollos returned to this city, and
became its bishop. The Greeks made him bishop of Duras, others say he was bishop of Iconium in Phrygia, and others that he was bishop of Cæsarea.