1 Corinthians 3:9

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1063} we are {G2070} labourers together {G4904} with God {G2316}: ye are {G2075} God's {G2316} husbandry {G1091}, ye are God's {G2316} building {G3619}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

For we are God’s fellow-workers: ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 3:9 profoundly articulates the nature of the Christian community and its ministry, presenting believers as both divine collaborators and the recipients of God's ongoing work. Paul employs two powerful metaphors—agriculture and architecture—to illustrate that the church is God's cultivated field and His actively constructed building, emphasizing divine ownership, purposeful growth, and the essential partnership between God and His human servants in the advancement of His kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as a climactic summary within Paul's broader argument against factionalism and human-centered pride in the Corinthian church. In [1 Corinthians 1](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians 1 - Divisions in the Church"), Paul addresses the divisions directly, challenging the Corinthians' boasting in human wisdom and leaders. Chapter 3 specifically debunks the idea that human ministers are the source of spiritual growth or the ultimate authority. Paul first establishes that he and Apollos are merely "servants through whom you believed" ([1 Corinthians 3:5](/1_corinthians/3-5 "1 Corinthians 3:5 - Ministers as Servants")), then uses the agricultural metaphor of planting and watering to assert that "God gave the growth" ([1 Corinthians 3:6-7](/1_corinthians/3-6-7 "1 Corinthians 3:6-7 - God Gives the Growth")). Verse 9 seamlessly transitions from this agricultural imagery to an architectural one, reinforcing the singular divine agency behind all spiritual progress and the unity of purpose among those who serve.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub, known for its diverse population, trade, and philosophical schools. This environment fostered a culture of intellectual pride and a tendency to align with specific teachers or rhetoricians, which unfortunately spilled over into the nascent Christian community. The Corinthians were prone to forming cliques based on preferred spiritual leaders, much like philosophical schools had their adherents. Paul's use of agricultural and architectural metaphors would have resonated deeply with a society familiar with farming practices and the extensive building projects common in Roman cities. The concept of "co-laborers" (synergoi) was also understood in the context of various trades and partnerships, making Paul's analogy of working "with God" particularly impactful in conveying a shared endeavor under a divine master.

* **Key Themes:** [1 Corinthians 3:9](/1_corinthians/3-9 "1 Corinthians 3:9 - God's Fellow Workers, God's Field, God's Building") encapsulates several major themes prevalent in the book and Paul's broader theology. Firstly, it underscores the **sovereignty of God** in salvation and spiritual growth, reinforcing that all true increase comes from Him, not human effort or charisma, as seen in [1 Corinthians 3:7](/1_corinthians/3-7 "1 Corinthians 3:7 - God Gives the Increase"). Secondly, it promotes **unity in ministry**, dismantling the competitive spirit among believers by presenting all ministers as "laborers together with God" and working on the same divine project. Thirdly, it defines the **identity of the church** not as a human institution, but as God's possession and ongoing work—His "husbandry" and "building." This theme of the church as a spiritual edifice is further developed in passages like [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - The Church as God's Dwelling") where believers are described as "living stones." Finally, the verse implicitly highlights the **dignity and humility of Christian service**, recognizing the privilege of partnering with God while acknowledging that effectiveness is solely derived from His power.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **labourers together (Greek, _synergós'_):** From a presumed compound of *syn* (with) and the base of *ergon* (work), this term signifies a "co-laborer" or "coadjutor." In this context, it emphasizes the divine-human partnership in ministry, where believers are not independent agents but active participants alongside God in His work. It speaks to a shared purpose and effort, yet with God as the ultimate source of power and direction.
* **husbandry (Greek, _geṓrgion'_):** This neuter noun, derived from a word related to "farmer," literally means "cultivable land" or "farm." Paul uses this agricultural metaphor to portray the church, or individual believers, as God's field. Just as a farmer cultivates the soil, plants, and waters, God, through His servants, nurtures spiritual growth and expects fruitfulness. It highlights the church as a living, growing entity under divine care.
* **building (Greek, _oikodomḗ'_):** This feminine noun, from *oikos* (house) and the base of *dōma* (building), refers to "architecture," a "structure," or the "act of building." In this verse, it depicts the church as a spiritual edifice that God is actively constructing. It emphasizes the church's unity, stability, and the ongoing process of being shaped and perfected by God, with believers as integral components.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For we are labourers together with God":** This clause establishes the foundational truth of Christian ministry: it is a divine partnership. The "we" refers to Paul, Apollos, and other ministers, but by extension, it encompasses all believers engaged in God's work. The phrase "labourers together with God" (synergoi Theou) signifies that human effort in ministry is not independent but is a collaborative endeavor with the Almighty. This partnership implies both a profound privilege and a deep humility, as effectiveness stems from God's empowering presence.
* **"ye are God's husbandry":** Transitioning to the first metaphor, Paul identifies the Corinthian believers (and by extension, the church) as God's cultivated land. Just as a farmer owns and tends his field, God owns and nurtures His people. This imagery speaks to the process of spiritual growth, the need for divine cultivation (planting, watering), and the expectation of fruit. It underscores that believers are not self-sufficient but are under the careful, intentional care of God.
* **"[ye are] God's building":** The second metaphor complements the first, portraying the church as a structure under construction by God. This image emphasizes stability, unity, and purpose. Believers are "living stones" being built into a spiritual temple, with God as the master architect and builder. This ongoing work signifies the progressive formation of the church into a holy dwelling place for God, highlighting His active involvement in shaping His people and His community.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs **Metaphor** throughout this verse, using two distinct but complementary images: agriculture and architecture. The church is first presented as "God's husbandry," a cultivated field, which evokes ideas of growth, nurturing, and fruitfulness. This agricultural imagery connects directly to the preceding verses where Paul discusses planting and watering. Immediately following, the church is described as "God's building," an architectural structure, which conveys stability, design, unity, and ongoing construction. The juxtaposition of these two metaphors provides a rich, multi-faceted understanding of the church's nature and God's relationship with it. Furthermore, the verse demonstrates **Parallelism** through the repeated phrase "God's husbandry, God's building," which emphasizes divine ownership and agency in both metaphors. This repetition creates a rhythmic and memorable assertion of God's proprietorship over His people. Finally, there is an implicit **Personification** of God as the active Farmer and Master Builder, highlighting His personal and intentional involvement in the spiritual development of individuals and the collective church.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 3:9 is a cornerstone for understanding the nature of the church and Christian ministry, asserting that all true spiritual growth and construction are ultimately God's work. It challenges human pride and factionalism by placing God squarely at the center of all spiritual endeavors, whether in the "planting" and "watering" of the gospel or the "building" of the community. The dual metaphors emphasize both the organic, living aspect of the church (husbandry) and its structured, unified aspect (building), revealing God's comprehensive care and design. This verse calls believers to humility in service, recognizing themselves as mere instruments, and to unity in purpose, as all are working on God's singular project.

* [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - The Church as God's Dwelling") - Describes believers as fellow citizens with the saints and members of God's household, "built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord."
* [Colossians 2:6-7](/colossians/2-6-7 "Colossians 2:6-7 - Rooted and Built Up in Christ") - Encourages believers to "continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
* [1 Peter 2:4-5](/1_peter/2-4-5 "1 Peter 2:4-5 - Living Stones") - Calls believers "living stones" being built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers profound insights for every believer, reshaping our understanding of our role in God's kingdom. It reminds us that our efforts, no matter how fervent or well-intentioned, are always secondary to God's sovereign work. This perspective fosters a deep sense of humility, prompting us to give God all the glory for any spiritual fruit or growth we witness, whether in our own lives or in the lives of others we minister to. It also cultivates unity, as the recognition that we are all "laborers together with God" on "God's husbandry" and "God's building" dissolves rivalries and promotes a shared vision. We are not competing for human accolades but collaborating for divine purposes. Furthermore, the metaphors of "husbandry" and "building" encourage us to be receptive to God's ongoing work in our lives, allowing Him to cultivate, prune, and construct us into the people and community He desires. Our growth and transformation are not solely our responsibility but are primarily His gracious and powerful activity within us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding yourself as "God's husbandry" and "God's building" change your perspective on personal spiritual growth and the challenges you face?**
* **In what ways might the concept of being "labourers together with God" impact your approach to ministry or service within your community?**
* **How can the church better reflect its identity as "God's building," emphasizing unity, divine design, and ongoing construction, rather than human programs or personalities?**

### FAQ
**What does it mean that "we are labourers together with God"?**
Answer: This phrase means that believers, particularly those in ministry, are co-workers or partners with God in His redemptive work. It does not imply that God needs human help to accomplish His purposes, but rather that He graciously chooses to involve His people in the advancement of His kingdom. Our efforts are empowered and directed by Him, and any success is ultimately attributed to His power and presence, not our own. It highlights a divine-human partnership where God is the ultimate orchestrator and source of growth, and we are His willing instruments.

**How do the metaphors of "husbandry" and "building" relate to the church?**
Answer: The metaphor of "husbandry" (or cultivated field) portrays the church as God's spiritual garden, where He plants, waters, and brings forth growth. This emphasizes the organic, living, and developing nature of the church and individual believers, who are nurtured by God for fruitfulness. The metaphor of "building" depicts the church as a spiritual structure that God is actively constructing. This emphasizes the church's stability, unity, and purposeful design, with believers as "living stones" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")) being built together into a holy dwelling place for God. Both metaphors underscore God's ownership, active involvement, and the ongoing process of shaping His people and community.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 3:9, while speaking of the church's identity and ministry, finds its ultimate fulfillment and foundation in Christ. He is the preeminent "laborer together with God," perfectly executing the Father's will and bringing about the new creation. As the "true vine" ([John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine")), Jesus is the source of life and fruitfulness for God's "husbandry," making Him the very ground upon which the field flourishes. Believers are branches in Him, drawing sustenance to bear fruit for the Father's glory. Furthermore, Christ is the foundational "cornerstone" of God's "building" ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")), the essential element upon which the entire spiritual edifice is constructed. Without Him, there is no foundation, no unity, and no growth. The church, as God's building, is being "built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit" ([Ephesians 2:22](/ephesians/2-22 "Ephesians 2:22 - God's Dwelling by the Spirit")), a dwelling made possible and perfected through Christ's atoning work and His ongoing headship over the church. Thus, all ministry, all growth, and all construction of God's people are entirely dependent on and flow from the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is both the means and the end of God's divine project.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Peter 2:5

Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 2:20

And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner [stone];

Ephesians 2:22

In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 6:1

¶ We then, [as] workers together [with him], beseech [you] also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

1 Corinthians 3:16

¶ Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Mark 16:20

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Isaiah 61:11

For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.