More Accurately
So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Pricilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. - Acts 18:26
Aquila and Pricilla may not be household names like Paul or Peter, but their ministry is one of the most beautiful examples of humble service and quiet strength in the New Testament. This faithful married couple, tentmakers by trade, met Paul in Corinth and became his trusted co-laborers in the gospel. They traveled with him, risked their lives for him (Romans 16:3-4), and opened their home as a church. But in Acts 18:26, we see another side of their ministry - spiritual guidance and gentle correction.
Apollos, a passionate and eloquent man from Alexandria, had a bold voice and a sincere heart. He taught accurately the things of the Lord, but his knowledge was incomplete - he knew only of John’s baptism. That’s when Aquila and Priscilla stepped in. They didn’t humiliate him publicly or cause division. They took him aside - a quiet, respectful relational approach - and explained the way of God more accurately.
What’s just as remarkable is how Apollos received the correction. No pride. NO defensiveness. No public fallout. Instead, unity. Growth. Fruit. He later went on to become a powerful voice for the gospel (See Acts 18:27-28; 1 Corinthians 3:6).
We often think of correction as uncomfortable or confrontational, but here we’re reminded: when truth is spoken in love, and when hearts are humble to receive it, the result is not division - it’s maturity and unity.
This is exactly what Ephesians 4:15 calls us to: “speaking the truth in love, (so that) we may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ. “
So how can we practice this kind of truth-speaking and truth-receiving?
Here are a few practical ways:
Pray before you speak. Ask God to purify your motives - are you correcting out of love, or pride?
Pull aside, don’t call out. Correction is best received in private, where dignity can be preserved.
Be a student, always. Stay teachable. Even Apollos, with all his sill and passion, had more to learn.
Use Scripture, not opinion. Let God’s Word do the work of conviction and clarification.
Speak with grace, seasoned with salt (Col. 4:6). The tone often carries more weight than the words themselves.
Think about this:
When was the last time you either lovingly corrected a fellow believer - or humbly received correction yourself? Did it build unity… or something else?
Heavenly Father, thank You for examples like Aquila, Priscilla, and Apollos. Teach us to speak the truth in love, with humility and grace. Give us the courage to correct when needed, and the maturity to receive correction when it comes. May everything we do lead to great unity and growth in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
