In the book of Acts Luke introduces "a certain Jew named Apollos."
The word only appears once in the New Testament. A less intense form
dielencho is found in classical Greek, particularly in Plato, Aristotle, Lucianus.
The meaning in classical Greek was to refute or expose. Dielencho appears
in the Septuagint in Job 9:33; Isaiah 1:18 and Micah 6:2. In those texts it means
to discuss, to argue a case.
(Acts 18:24) The way that he "bursts" onto the scene virtually sets the stage for
something spectacular. He was endowed with terrific qualities that would
distinguish him from other men who were not apostles. He was an "erudite"
man (logios), (18:24) "mighty in the scriptures" (18:24) i.e. competent or
man (logios), (18:24) "mighty in the scriptures" (18:24) i.e. competent or
well-versed (dunatos on en tais graphais). He was speaking with
"burning enthusiasm" (18:25) (zeon to pneumati). He was "teaching
accurately the things concerning Jesus" (18:25) (edidasken akribos ta peri
tou Iesou), but he was "acquainted only with the immersion of John "
(18:25) (epistamenos monon ta baptisma Ioannou ). Aquila and
"burning enthusiasm" (18:25) (zeon to pneumati). He was "teaching
accurately the things concerning Jesus" (18:25) (edidasken akribos ta peri
tou Iesou), but he was "acquainted only with the immersion of John "
(18:25) (epistamenos monon ta baptisma Ioannou ). Aquila and
Priscilla taught him the way of God more accurately, and he became an
unstoppable force in the defense of the gospel.
unstoppable force in the defense of the gospel.
Luke tells us that after he was taught the way of God more accurately,
the disciples encouraged him to go to Achaia. When he arrived he "greatly
helped those who had believed through the grace." (18:27) But how did he help
the believers in Achaia? Luke answers the question. "For he was diakatelencheto
the Jews in public, showing through the scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah."
(18:28) What does diakatelencheto (grammatical form) of diakatelenchomai
(lexical-dictionary form) tell us about the work of Apollos in Achaia?
helped those who had believed through the grace." (18:27) But how did he help
the believers in Achaia? Luke answers the question. "For he was diakatelencheto
the Jews in public, showing through the scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah."
(18:28) What does diakatelencheto (grammatical form) of diakatelenchomai
(lexical-dictionary form) tell us about the work of Apollos in Achaia?
The word only appears once in the New Testament. A less intense form
dielencho is found in classical Greek, particularly in Plato, Aristotle, Lucianus.
The meaning in classical Greek was to refute or expose. Dielencho appears
in the Septuagint in Job 9:33; Isaiah 1:18 and Micah 6:2. In those texts it means
to discuss, to argue a case.
The preposition dia-(katelenchomai) serves to intensify the word. Luke
paints a picture of Apollos' work that is memorable and encouraging. Apollos
thoroughly refuted his Jewish opponents. He overwhelmed them in argument.
He demolished their arguments. He completely refuted the Jews in public
debate. He used a mighty spiritual jackhammer to crush pebbles! Luke tells us
what the jackhammer was: he "showed from the scriptures that Jesus is the
Messiah." Nothing works better, lasts longer, or is more formidable than the
word of the living God! (Jeremiah 23:29; Hebrews 4:12)
paints a picture of Apollos' work that is memorable and encouraging. Apollos
thoroughly refuted his Jewish opponents. He overwhelmed them in argument.
He demolished their arguments. He completely refuted the Jews in public
debate. He used a mighty spiritual jackhammer to crush pebbles! Luke tells us
what the jackhammer was: he "showed from the scriptures that Jesus is the
Messiah." Nothing works better, lasts longer, or is more formidable than the
word of the living God! (Jeremiah 23:29; Hebrews 4:12)
R. Daly
Copyright 2013
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