Catholic Dictionary
Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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APOLLOS
An Alexandrian Jew mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles as an enthusiastic convert whose eloquence in Ephesus and Achaea won a great following. His continued success in preaching Christ in Corinth created a problem for St. Paul on his arrival. He was disturbed to learn that Christian cliques were forming, each responding to the personal appeal of different disciples. Paul's emphasis on the importance of unity is instructive (Acts 18:24-28): "It is clear that there are serious differences among you. What I mean are all those slogans that you have, like: 'I am for Paul,' 'I am for Apollos,' 'I am for Cephas,' 'I am for Christ.' Has Christ been parceled out?" (I Corinthians 1:11-12). And again a short time later: "What could be more unspiritual than your slogans, 'I am for Paul,' 'I am for Apollos?' After all, what is Apollos and what is Paul? They are servants who brought the faith to you" (I Corinthians 3:4-5). (Etym. Greek apollos, destroyer.)
