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Apollos was a "helper" of the saints, for we read: "When he was come he helped
them much which had believed through grace." Of what did this "help" consists? We
read on to the next verse: "For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly,
showing by the Scriptures that Jesus was the Christ" (Acts 18: 27, 28). This brings the
"help" of Apollos very much into line with the "guidance" of Philip (Acts 8: 30-35)
which we have considered earlier.
Help is not confined, however, to preaching, teaching or doing, for the apostle writes:
"Ye also helping together by prayer" (II Cor. 1: 11). This is a ministry in which many
may share who would otherwise be excluded from service. Furthermore, we must not
allow the idea of helping in dire necessity, or under strenuous conditions, to exclude the
gentler but no less important service indicated by the apostle in II Cor. 1: 24:--
"Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy; for by
faith ye stand."
There were perhaps few intimate friends of the apostle Paul who were more dearly
love or held in higher esteem than Priscilla and Aquila. Of these the apostle records:--
"Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks,
but also all the churches of the Gentiles" (Rom. 16: 4).
Priscilla and Aquila provided hospitality for the apostle and a means of livelihood
upon his arrival at Corinth (Acts 18: 2). And they took Apollos to their home and
showed him the way of God more perfectly, thus rendering him a great help to the
believers (Acts 18: 24-28). The depth of affection felt by Paul may be seen in the last
salutation he sent to them: "Salute Prisca and Aquila" (II Tim. 4: 19). These stand firm,
where others had failed (II Tim. 4: 10, 16), and the apostle indulges at the last in a little
display of affection, calling Priscilla by the diminutive Prisca. Of these two believers
Paul writes:--
"Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 16: 3).
Who would not value the title of "helper" after seeing the record of two at least who
bore it?
At some future point in this series we must consider the teaching of Scripture
regarding the ministry of women. At the moment we simply draw attention to the fact
that Eve, the first woman, was given to Adam, and was the first to be called a "help".
That was her peculiar office, specially given by God Himself. She was a help "meet" for
Adam, and therefore in no sense inferior to him. There is no suggestion in Gen. 2: 18-25
that Adam was created imperfect. The passage teaches us rather that God had no
intention of endowing one person with all the gifts, for such independence would be his
ruin. The church to-day needs its Priscillas quite as must as its Aquilas. May the sisters
in Christ who read these words be encouraged to take their place in God's perfect plan,
rejoicing in the privilege of being permitted to have a place in that service for which
neither man nor woman is worthy apart from grace.