“He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.” Acts 18:26
I am a firstborn with three younger brothers. My mother corrected me more than all of them combined, though she admits I needed it far less. Growing up I watched my siblings breeze through mistakes that would have earned me a reprimand. I grew to dread correction, especially public correction. Even now if I sense a criticism coming, I feel my stomach drop and my face flush. This is why I’m drawn to how Priscilla and Aquila corrected Apollos in Acts 18—not publicly, but privately, preserving his dignity while teaching him more accurately.
Luke writes that Apollos “spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus.” But there was a catch: “he knew only the baptism of John” (Acts 18:25).
Apollos wasn’t wrong, but he had a crucial knowledge gap: John’s baptism was about repentance preparing for the Messiah; Jesus’ baptism is about identity in the Messiah who has already come. Apollos was preaching a gospel frozen at the threshold of salvation. Apollos was good at what he taught, but what he taught was incomplete.
When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, “they took him aside” and explained the way of God more accurately. Priscilla, listed first by Luke, and Aquila didn’t expose Apollos’ knowledge gap publicly or undermine his credibility. Their approach was private enough to protect his dignity and ministry, direct enough to provide what was missing in his understanding.
Luke says Apollos was “an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures” (Acts 18:24). And yet he accepted their correction. It takes courage and humility to admit you don’t know what you don’t know when you’re already operating at a high level.
Apollos went on to Achaia where he “greatly helped those who through grace had believed” and “powerfully refuted” opposition (Acts 18:27–28). Priscilla and Aquila’s mentoring moment multiplied through everyone Apollos would ever teach after that.
Biblical mentoring builds on what competence begins. And that growth doesn’t just transform the individual; it multiplies through everyone they’ll ever teach, serve, or disciple.
Ask God to show you where you’re competent but incomplete—and who He’s placed in your life to add to what He’s begun. Then ask Him where you’re called to be a Priscilla. Kingdom multiplication depends on both.
Prayer: Father, give me Apollos’ courage to receive correction and Priscilla’s wisdom to offer it with grace. Show me where my competence masks incompleteness, and who You’ve placed in my life to reveal the fullness of what You’ve begun. Make me both a humble learner and a gracious teacher, for Your kingdom’s multiplication. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Want more?
Read the full story of Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos in Acts 18:1–28. In what area of your life has God used someone to add to your understanding? How did their approach affect your willingness to receive correction?
