By David ReayTuesday 22 Jan 2019LifeWords DevotionalsFaithReading Time: 2 minutes
Read Acts 18:24-26
24 Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. 25 He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. 26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately. (NLT)
What a fine couple were Priscilla and Aquila! Here they show us how wise and kind they were and how it benefitted the people of God. They could have simply been swept up by this man Apollos, seduced by his eloquence. Powerful speakers can have that effect. Nothing wrong with eloquence and passion (we need more rather than less), but it has to be combined with truth and wisdom.
And so this kind couple took Apollos aside and filled in some blanks. He knew a fair bit, but lacked some aspects of the truth of the faith. And that lack might have led others astray, especially given his impressive form of speech.
And here we see another example of their wise kindness. They took him aside and privately filled him in. They didn’t gossip about him behind his back, shaking their heads sadly at his deficiencies. They didn’t take him to task in public and bring him down a peg or two. They took the time and effort to put a few things right in the most helpful way possible.
What we know of Apollos later indicates Priscilla and Aquila had an effect on him. Their wise kindness prevented him from being an orator who swayed listeners in the wrong way, and prevented him from being shamed and shunned as a false teacher. Having a quiet word with those who may be a bit off-track may end up being life-changing for everyone.
Blessings
David Reay