1 Corinthians 3:5 kjv
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
1 Corinthians 3:5 nkjv
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one?
1 Corinthians 3:5 niv
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe?as the Lord has assigned to each his task.
1 Corinthians 3:5 esv
What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.
1 Corinthians 3:5 nlt
After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God's servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us.
1 Corinthians 3 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 1:10 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. | Unity in the church |
| 1 Corinthians 12:5 | now there are varieties of service, but the same Lord | Different ministries, same Lord |
| 1 Corinthians 12:12 | For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. | Christ as the Head, members united |
| 1 Corinthians 12:25 | That there might be no division in the body; but that the members may have the same care for one another. | Interdependence of believers |
| 1 Corinthians 15:10 | But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is in me. | God's grace enables ministry |
| 2 Corinthians 3:5 | Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything of ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God; | Our sufficiency is from God |
| 2 Corinthians 11:23 | Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I. | Paul's identification with believers |
| Galatians 3:27-29 | For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise. | Oneness in Christ |
| Ephesians 4:11-12 | And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: | Gifts for ministry |
| Philippians 2:1-2 | If then there is any encouragement in Christ, if any consolation from love, if any participation in the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. | Exhortation to unity and humility |
| Colossians 1:28 | Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. | Proclaiming Christ |
| Hebrews 3:13 | But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. | Mutual exhortation |
| John 3:8 | The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. | Sovereign work of the Spirit |
| John 15:5 | I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. | Dependence on Christ for fruit |
| Romans 12:3 | For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. | Humility in ministry |
| Romans 12:4-5 | For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individual members of one another. | Diversity of gifts in one body |
| 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 | Let a man regard us in this way, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. | Stewardship and faithfulness |
| 1 Corinthians 4:6 | I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. | Not going beyond what is written |
| Acts 18:24-28 | Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, a talented speaker and a man learned in the Scriptures, had come to Ephesus. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, although he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the true way of God to him more accurately. And when he wished to cross over to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who by grace had believed. For he powerfully refuted the Jews in public debate, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus. | Ministry of Apollos |
1 Corinthians 3 verses
1 Corinthians 3 5 Meaning
This verse emphasizes that Paul and Apollos are merely servants of God, working together in ministry. Their roles are defined by their service to God, not by their individual talents or the following they garnered. They are instruments through whom God acts, highlighting that the growth of the church ultimately comes from God, not from the ministers.
1 Corinthians 3 5 Context
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul addresses the divisions within the Corinthian church. Factions had formed, with people identifying themselves as followers of Paul, Apollos, or even Peter. Paul aims to correct this pride and division, emphasizing that their spiritual maturity and the effectiveness of ministry are from God, not from the human leaders. He likens their spiritual upbringing to being watered and planted, attributing the growth to God's divine action.
1 Corinthians 3 5 Word Analysis
- "but" (δὲ - de): A common conjunction, here indicating a contrast or transition, distinguishing Paul's role from that of God.
- "I" (εἰμί - eimi): Present tense, indicating Paul's current identity and role as an existing being and servant.
- "Paul" (Παῦλος - Paulos): The apostle, a servant of Christ and founder of the church in Corinth.
- "and" (καὶ - kai): A coordinating conjunction, linking Paul with Apollos as fellow ministers.
- "Apollos" (Ἀπολλὼς - Apollos): A respected fellow laborer in the Gospel, also a minister.
- "are" (εἰμί - eimi): Present tense, a copula linking the subject to the predicate.
- "nothing" (οὐδὲν - ouden): Meaning "not even one thing" or "nothing at all." It signifies insignificance in the ultimate scheme of spiritual growth, in themselves.
- "but" (εἰ μὴ - ei mē): A concessive clause, meaning "if not" or "except."
- "God" (θεὸς - theos): The supreme being, the source of all spiritual life and growth.
- "who" (ὁ - ho): A relative pronoun, introducing a subordinate clause that describes God.
- "makes" (αὔξω - auxō): This verb means to cause to grow, to increase, or to enlarge. It is used in the passive voice here (αὐξάνων - auxōn - present participle, middle/passive), highlighting that the growth is an action God performs, not one that Paul or Apollos causes directly.
Words/Groups Analysis:
- "I Paul and Apollos are nothing": This statement is not self-deprecating in a negative sense. Instead, it signifies that their individual contributions, while valuable, are insignificant when compared to the ultimate work of God in salvation and spiritual growth. They are simply agents, their power and efficacy stemming entirely from God.
- "except what God makes": This phrase is pivotal. It underscores God's sovereignty in ministry. Any perceived success or spiritual growth is a result of God's power working through the instruments He chooses. This guards against any leader claiming ultimate credit and thus prevents boasting.
1 Corinthians 3 5 Bonus Section
This verse strongly aligns with the theological concept of Sola Gratia (grace alone) in Protestant theology. The growth and effectiveness in ministry are not a result of human effort or inherent ability, but solely the sovereign work of God's grace. This principle is essential for understanding the New Testament church's foundation and its continued existence – it's all of God. The analogy of planting and watering used in the preceding verses further supports this, portraying ministers as gardeners tending to a plant that only God can make grow. The use of the passive voice for "makes grow" is crucial, indicating an action done to them by God, not an action initiated by them.
1 Corinthians 3 5 Commentary
Paul clarifies that his identity and Apollos' identity as ministers are entirely dependent on God. They are nothing in themselves in terms of causing spiritual growth or imparting life. Their significance, their ability to be effective, comes solely from God, who uses them as His instruments. This statement aims to humble the Corinthians and refocus their attention from the preachers to the ultimate source of spiritual life and the one who causes growth, which is God alone. It is a powerful antidote to the spirit of factionalism that elevates human leaders.
Practical Usage Examples:
- When witnessing a ministry's success, remember it is God's grace and power, not just the leader's charisma.
- Avoid comparing ministers as if one is inherently superior; recognize each is a unique tool of God.
- Acknowledge that your own spiritual growth is God's work, enabling you to minister.