Saturday of the 6th Week of Easter
Having spent some time there, he departed and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, in order, establishing all the disciples. Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside, and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
When he had determined to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him; and wrote to the disciples to receive him. When he had come, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace; For he powerfully refuted the Jews, publicly showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ.
"In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
"I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name; and I don't say to you that I will pray to the Father for you, For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father."
The contrast between Apollos and Jesus reveals something profound about how truth unfolds in our lives. Apollos arrives in Ephesus with impressive credentials—eloquent, learned in Scripture, fervent in spirit. Yet for all his knowledge and passion, he possesses only part of the story. He knows John's baptism but hasn't encountered the fullness of what Jesus offers.
Notice how Priscilla and Aquila respond. They don't publicly correct or embarrass this gifted teacher. Instead, they invite him aside and "explain the way of God more accurately." There's such gentleness in their approach, recognizing that even incomplete understanding can be a stepping stone toward deeper truth.
This mirrors what Jesus describes in the Gospel—a movement from partial knowledge to fuller revelation. The disciples have been receiving truth "in figures of speech," but Jesus promises a time when he will speak "plainly about the Father." What emerges is not a rejection of their earlier understanding, but a completion of it.
Consider how this plays out in our own spiritual journey. We often approach faith with fragments—childhood lessons, half-remembered prayers, insights gleaned from difficult seasons. Sometimes we might feel like spiritual imposters, wondering if our incomplete grasp disqualifies us from speaking about God or serving others.
But Apollos shows us that God works through our partial understanding while simultaneously drawing us toward greater fullness. His fervor wasn't wasted; it became the foundation for even more effective ministry once Priscilla and Aquila helped him see the complete picture.
The invitation here is to remain both humble about what we don't yet know and generous with what we do understand, trusting that God can use our sincere but imperfect faith as we grow.
What incomplete understanding might God be inviting you to expand? How can you offer correction or guidance to others with the same gentleness Priscilla and Aquila showed?