What We May Not Know

Are you open to discovering you don’t have your faith all figured out? Even the gifted teacher Apollos still had more to learn in Acts 18.

“When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately” (Acts 18:26).

Apollos had a powerful impact on believers in Ephesus. He was articulate and “competent in the Scriptures” (v. 24). He knew the Law and the Prophets and had been “instructed in the way of the Lord.” He “spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus” (v. 25). He had the call of God on his life, and many treated him as an equal to Paul.

Despite all this, the Bible also tells us that Apollos had an incomplete knowledge of the Gospel. He was ministering without some fundamental components of the Christian faith; specifically, “he knew only the baptism of John” (v. 25). When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they realized he needed a better understanding. Rather than rebuke him or expose his weaknesses in public, they “took him aside” and privately “explained … more accurately.”

Even if we’re an effective minister like Apollos, there’s always more to learn. If we’ve followed Christ for many years, there’s more He can teach us. If we’ve read the entire Bible many times, there are more insights and discoveries God can reveal to us.

We may have a great deal of spiritual knowledge and yet be incomplete. No matter how much you know, ask God to help you stay open to His truth. Never assume that you already have complete knowledge; remember there is more to learn. Stay humble and hungry. Look for Him to reveal more of His truth to you.

Reflection Question: What truth are you excited about that God revealed to you recently?

Frequently Asked Questions

What exactly was Apollos missing in his understanding?

He knew only “the baptism of John”—meaning his grasp of the Gospel was incomplete regarding the finished work of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Why did Priscilla and Aquila correct him privately rather than publicly?

Acts 18:26 emphasizes they “took him aside”—a model of protecting someone’s dignity while still addressing a real gap in understanding.

How can I know if there are gaps in my own understanding of Scripture?

Stay teachable and in community—ongoing study, trusted mentors, and a willingness to be corrected are the same postures that let a gifted teacher like Apollos grow further.