Acts 18:27

And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; Acts 18:27

The words more correctly read, “And he, resolving to pass over to Achaia, the brothers wrote the disciples, having exhorted them to welcome him, who – having arrived – helped greatly those who have believed through the grace.”

In the previous verse, Aquila and Priscilla took Apollos aside, explaining to him the way of God more accurately. With that, and still speaking of Apollos, it next says, “And he, resolving to pass over to Achaia.”

As they are currently in Ephesus, it means that he would travel, most probably by ship, to the opposite coast. As noted in Acts 18:12, Achaia essentially formed the whole of Greece with Corinth being its capital. Apollos had a desire to evangelize in Greece. Thus, it next says, “the brothers wrote the disciples.”

The Greek here is translated in various ways. Notice the difference between the two –

the brothers, having encouraged him, wrote to the disciples to welcome him, BLB

the brethren wrote to the disciples, having exhorted them to receive him, YLT

The flow of thought seems to make more sense when translated as “the brothers wrote the disciples.” It would mean that those in Ephesus wrote a letter to the disciples in Achaia confirming the reliability of Apollos as a follower of Christ and a teacher. With that, it next says, “having exhorted them to welcome him.”

The word protrepó, translated as “encouraged” is found only here in Scripture. It literally signifies turning forward for oneself. Thus, it means to encourage or exhort. In this case, rather than “having encouraged him,” meaning Apollos, as the BLB states, it seems likely that they are exhorting those who receive their letter to welcome Apollos.

Apollos wouldn’t need encouragement as he was the one disposed to go there. Instead, those he would encounter are the likely subject. At the time, Apollos was unknown to those in Achaia. Therefore, a letter of introduction and a note that he should be received as a faithful and knowledgeable teacher would be appropriate to help establish him among those he met with. From there, it next says, “who – having arrived – helped greatly those who have believed through the grace.”

Concerning the word “helped,” Vincent’s Word Studies says, “The radical sense of the word is to throw together: hence, to contribute; to help; to be useful to. He threw himself into the work along with them.” This is perfectly in accord with Apollos’ character as already recorded. He jumped right in and became an asset to those he fellowshipped with.

As for the final words, “the grace,” the article is rightly included in the translation. It is the particular grace that is given by God. Of this, there are varying views on what it is referring to. Vincent’s Word Studies says –

“Expositors differ as to the connection; some joining through grace with them which had believed, insisting on the Greek order of the words; and others with helped, referring to grace conferred on Apollos. I prefer the latter, principally for the reason urged by Meyer, that ‘the design of the text is to characterize Apollos and his work, and not those who believed.’”

In other words, though it is true that believers are saved through grace, Vincent’s feels that the grace referred to here is speaking of the special grace imparted to Apollos to effectively minister in the gospel. Either way, both salvation and continued life in Christ are conferred upon believers by grace.

Life application: It’s good to remember that not only is salvation by grace through faith, but that our continued lives in Christ are granted by grace. And this, in more ways than one. First, any gifts we possess are given to us by God. How we use them will be the source of rewards or losses at the Bema seat. But we do not possess any gift that God did not bestow upon us.

Second, our times are determined by God. Thus, each day and everything associated with it is grace. We cannot take credit for what God has given us. How we use our time, however, will be the source of rewards or losses at the Bema seat.

If God has equipped us with a gift, and if He has granted us the time and circumstance to use that gift, we should be about using it to His glory. Let us remember this and press on in the grace that has been granted to us. Someday, we will stand before Him and must give account for what we have done with what He has bestowed upon us.

Glorious God, thank You for having blessed us with various gifts that we can use to glorify You. Help us to be mindful of the time and circumstances in which we live so that we will use them in the most effective manner possible. May our service before You be pleasing to You. Be glorified in how we conduct our lives in Your presence. Amen.