Born in Alexandria may be translated as “Alexandria was his home town” or “he came originally from Alexandria.” In many languages one does not translate literally born. It may be useful to have a marginal note at this point explaining that Alexandria was in Egypt and was one of the leading cities of the ancient world. It was particularly important as a center of learning.

The word translated eloquent occurs only here in the New Testament, and though most translators prefer this rendering (New American Bible, New English Bible, Revised Standard Version, Jerusalem Bible, Twentieth Century New Testament, An American Translation*; see also Zürcher Bibel and LUTHER Revised, as well as La Sainte Bible: Nouvelle version Segond révisée), Moffatt and Barclay choose “a man of culture,” and others have either “learned” or a “man of learning.” If the term translated eloquent is a reference to Apollos’ capacity as a speaker, one may translate “could speak very well,” “he was a great orator,” or “he spoke so that everyone wanted to listen.” If, on the other hand, one interprets this term as applying to the extent of Apollos’ knowledge, one may translate “he knew very much” or “he was a man who had studied very much.”

Had a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures is literally “powerful in the Scriptures,” but the meaning is that Apollos knew the Jewish Scriptures thoroughly. In some languages one does not speak of a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures but “knowing what is in the writings,” since the focus is upon the content, not upon the form.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Nida, Eugene A. A Handbook on The Acts of the Apostles. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1972. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .