1 Corinthians 3 9

1 Corinthians 3:9 kjv

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

1 Corinthians 3:9 nkjv

For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.

1 Corinthians 3:9 niv

For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building.

1 Corinthians 3:9 esv

For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.

1 Corinthians 3:9 nlt

For we are both God's workers. And you are God's field. You are God's building.

1 Corinthians 3 verses

1 Corinthians 3 9 Meaning

We are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. This verse emphasizes that believers are not working for themselves, but in partnership with God, as His cultivation and construction project.

1 Corinthians 3 9 Context

In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul is addressing divisions within the Corinthian church. He rebukes them for aligning themselves with human leaders (Paul, Apollos, Cephas) rather than solely with Christ. He emphasizes that these leaders are merely servants through whom the Corinthians came to believe, and that it is God who gives the growth. Paul uses agricultural and architectural metaphors to illustrate the interdependent nature of Christian ministry and the church's growth, which ultimately is the work of God. This verse, 1 Corinthians 3:9, stands as a pivotal point in this argument, reminding the Corinthians of their collective identity in Christ and their shared responsibility in God's divine plan.

1 Corinthians 3 9 Word Analysis

• "But": (Greek: ἀλλά - alla) A conjunction introducing a contrast or exception. Here, it contrasts the believers' dependence on human leaders with their true identity as God's own.
• "we": (Greek: ἡμεῖς - hēmeis) The plural pronoun. Paul includes himself and Apollos and all true ministers in this designation of fellow workers.
• "are": (Greek: ἐσμέν - esmen) The present indicative of the verb "to be."
• "God's": (Greek: θεοῦ - theou) The genitive case of "God," indicating possession or origin. Belongs to God.
• "fellow workers": (Greek: συνεργοί - synergōi) From synergos, meaning "working together," "co-worker," "partner." This is a crucial term emphasizing a joint effort and partnership with God in His redemptive and sanctifying work. It highlights that believers, in their service, are actively cooperating with God's ongoing purpose.
• "you": (Greek: ὑμεῖς - hymeis) The plural pronoun. Directly addresses the Corinthian believers.
• "are": (Greek: ἐστέ - este) The present indicative of the verb "to be," plural.
• "God's": (Greek: θεοῦ - theou) Genitive case again, indicating possession.
• "field": (Greek: γεώργιον - georgion) This word refers to a tilled field, an agricultural plot, or a vineyard. It's a place of cultivation where seeds are sown and growth occurs. This metaphor highlights that God is the farmer, actively working and cultivating the believers.
• "and": (Greek: καί - kai) A conjunction connecting the two descriptions of the believers.
• "God's": (Greek: θεοῦ - theou) Genitive case, possession.
• "building": (Greek: οἰκοδομή - oikodomē) This refers to the act of building or a structure that is built, especially a house or temple. It emphasizes that believers collectively form a structure, God's spiritual house or temple, where His presence dwells.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "God's fellow workers": This phrase is pivotal. It signifies a divinely initiated and orchestrated partnership. Ministers are not the source of salvation or spiritual life, but instruments God uses in cooperation with Himself. God is the primary worker, and humans participate in His work.
• "God's field": This metaphor emphasizes God's active involvement in nurturing, cultivating, and bringing forth spiritual fruit in believers. It's a place where His sovereign power is demonstrated through growth.
• "God's building": This metaphor portrays believers as the component parts of a spiritual structure being constructed by God. This structure is His dwelling place, signifying His indwelling presence through the Holy Spirit, and it points towards a unified, sacred purpose.

1 Corinthians 3 9 Bonus Section

The use of "fellow workers" (synergos) underscores the theological concept of divine-human synergy. While God is the primary agent, believers are invited into participation. This partnership is not a merging of equals but a subordinate cooperation, where God's grace enables and guides human effort. The metaphors of "field" and "building" are consistent throughout Scripture, highlighting God's ongoing work in salvation and sanctification from sowing the seed of faith to the completion of His temple, the church, culminating in eternity. The Corinthians' tendency to boast in human leaders was a failure to grasp their identity as God's own project, thereby diminishing the sovereign work of God.

1 Corinthians 3 9 Commentary

Paul here asserts that ministers, including himself and Apollos, are not rivals or ultimate authorities for believers. Instead, they are collaborators with God in His work. Believers are seen from two perspectives: as God's tilled field and as God's construction project. As a field, they are the object of God’s cultivation; seeds of truth are sown, watered, and God alone brings the increase. As a building, they are being assembled by God, stone by stone, into His spiritual temple, His habitation. This shared responsibility means believers are intimately connected to God’s redemptive and sanctifying plan. The focus shifts from human leaders to God, who is the ultimate proprietor and architect.

Practical Usage Examples:

• When sharing your faith, remember you are God's fellow worker; God does the convincing.
• In church planting or discipleship, recognize God's field is being cultivated; your role is to tend, not to claim ownership of the growth.
• When evaluating church growth, remember it's God’s building; focus on being sound materials, not just on structural size.