And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
And {G1161} when he {G846} was disposed {G1014} to pass {G1330} into {G1519} Achaia {G882}, the brethren {G80} wrote {G1125}, exhorting {G4389} the disciples {G3101} to receive {G588} him {G846}: who {G3739}, when he was come {G3854}, helped them {G4820} much {G4183} which had believed {G4100} through {G1223} grace {G5485}:
When he made plans to cross over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote the talmidim there to welcome him. On arrival, he greatly helped those who through grace had come to trust;
When Apollos resolved to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. On his arrival, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed.
And when he was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much that had believed through grace;
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2 Thessalonians 2:13
¶ But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: -
2 Thessalonians 2:14
Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. -
James 1:16
Do not err, my beloved brethren. -
James 1:18
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. -
1 Peter 1:2
Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. -
1 Peter 1:3
¶ Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, -
Titus 3:4
But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Acts 18:27 describes a pivotal moment in the early Christian ministry of Apollos, an eloquent and powerful speaker. This verse highlights the communal support within the nascent church and the profound impact of Apollos's teaching, particularly among those who had come to faith through God's grace.
Context
Following his instruction by Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus (see also Acts 18:24-25), Apollos felt led to minister in Achaia, a Roman province in Greece that included the significant city of Corinth. The "brethren" in Ephesus, recognizing his zeal and deepened understanding of Christ, provided him with a letter of commendation. This practice was common in the early church, serving to introduce traveling ministers and vouch for their character and doctrine, ensuring they would be received and supported by local believers. This verse sets the stage for Apollos's impactful work in the Corinthian church, which Paul later references.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "believed through grace" (Greek: dia tēs charitos - διὰ τῆς χάριτος) directly emphasizes the instrumental role of God's grace in their faith. It highlights that their belief was not merely a human decision but enabled and sustained by divine favor. This concept is central to Pauline theology, as seen in passages like Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, "For by grace are ye saved through faith."
Practical Application
Acts 18:27 offers several timeless lessons for believers today: