When Apollos wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers and sisters encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he was a great help to those who by grace had believed. For he vigorously refuted his Jewish opponents in public debate, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus was the Messiah.

–Parallel verses:
‭‭I Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭14‬-‭17‬
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. “Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened.” But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

Have you ever had the thought that what you are doing today — the great projects that lead to success, the hard projects that may seem like failures, the wins in quality time with family, the tough days of hard medical diagnosis, the relationship repairs, the relationship hardship — all of these experiences, taken in hand with the Spirit of God, are being used now but also preparing us for greater glory through our faith in him?

I think this is what Aquila and Priscilla experienced here together with Apollos. They were brought together by God, each having experienced hardships. They were mentors and mentee, and they understood and trusted God with their roles. And when the mentee, Apollos, was ready, God’s Spirit moved through him in powerful ways to stand for the truth and explain it so that many would be freed from the bondage of this life.

What joy they must have felt together when God used the mentors’ (Aquila and Priscilla) investments to enable the mentee (Apollos) to powerfully proclaim the truth!

And this is the type of spiritual partnerships God desires for us to enter into. He wants us to take joy in our roles. The world envies those who have the “out-front” skills, abilities, and position and power. The people of God do not envy, but instead take joy in the successes of their brothers and sisters in Christ! It is all for his glory and our roles are ordained from on high.

Lord, thank you for Apollos’ success here. I rejoice in it. I rejoice in the successes of those around me and the small or large part I may have played in helping them. I rejoice because I know that you designed me to be a great enabler of people, as Jesus was a great enabler of people. May you stoke this enabling and encouraging fire in my heart more and more, I pray!