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1 Corinthians 3:5

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¶ Who then is Paul, and who [is] Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

Who {G5101} then {G3767} is {G2076} Paul {G3972}, and {G1161} who {G5101} is Apollos {G625}, but {G235}{G2228} ministers {G1249} by {G1223} whom {G3739} ye believed {G4100}, even {G2532} as {G5613} the Lord {G2962} gave {G1325} to every man {G1538}?

After all, what is Apollos? What is Sha’ul? Only servants through whom you came to trust. Indeed, it was the Lord who brought you to trust through one of us or through another.

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.

What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him.

Commentary

In 1 Corinthians 3:5, the Apostle Paul continues his address to the Corinthian church, specifically confronting the divisive spirit that had emerged among its members. Some were identifying themselves with particular leaders like Paul or Apollos, creating factions within the congregation.

Context

This verse directly follows Paul's rebuke of the Corinthians for their spiritual immaturity and carnal divisions (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). He challenges their focus on human personalities rather than on God, the ultimate source of their faith and growth. Paul had planted the church, and Apollos later watered it with further teaching, but the Corinthians were mistakenly elevating these human instruments above the divine power that truly worked through them.

Key Themes

  • The Subordinate Role of Ministers: Paul and Apollos are presented not as ultimate authorities or figures to be idolized, but as mere "ministers" (Greek: diakonoi), meaning servants or attendants. Their role is to serve God and the church, not to be the object of devotion. This perspective helps in understanding the true nature of Christian leadership.
  • God as the Source of Belief and Growth: The crucial phrase "by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man" underscores God's sovereignty in salvation and spiritual development. It was not Paul's eloquence or Apollos's teaching that caused belief, but God's grace working through them. This theme is further developed in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, where Paul states, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase."
  • Unity in Ministry: Despite their different roles (planting vs. watering), Paul and Apollos are united in their purpose as God's servants. Their individual efforts are part of a larger divine plan, and neither should be exalted over the other or over the Lord who directs them. This call for unity echoes throughout Paul's letters, as seen in his plea for the Corinthians to be of the same mind and judgment (1 Corinthians 1:10).

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "ministers," diakonoi (διάκονοι), emphasizes their role as servants or attendants. This term is the root of our English word "deacon." By using it, Paul deliberately humbles himself and Apollos, reinforcing that they are instruments in God's hands, not the primary agents. The phrase "even as the Lord gave to every man" highlights that their ability and effectiveness in ministry were not inherent but were divine endowments, gifts from God, underscoring the concept of divine calling and enablement.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless reminder for both church leaders and congregants. For leaders, it instills humility, emphasizing that their effectiveness comes from God, not their own talents or charisma. They are simply stewards of God's grace and truth. For believers, it warns against the danger of exalting human personalities or forming cliques around specific teachers. Our faith and allegiance must always be directed toward God alone, who uses diverse people with diverse gifts to build His kingdom. True spiritual growth is a result of God's work, not human effort, though He graciously chooses to work through human vessels. This fosters a healthy perspective on leadership and promotes unity within the body of Christ.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Corinthians 6:4 (10 votes)

    But in all [things] approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,

  • 2 Corinthians 6:1 (9 votes)

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

  • 1 Peter 4:10 (8 votes)

    As every man hath received the gift, [even so] minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.

  • 2 Corinthians 3:6 (6 votes)

    ¶ Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:10 (5 votes)

    According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:23 (5 votes)

    Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I [am] more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:5 (5 votes)

    For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.