1Corinthians 3:8,9 – God’s fellow workers

Now he who is planting and he who is irrigation are for one thing. Yet each will be getting his own wages according to his own toil. For God’s fellow workers are we. God’s farm, God’s building are you.

It is GOD who gives growth at every stage. In that perspective, the planter does not do anything other than the irrigator. Both are instruments in the hand of GOD who causes growth. And both receive wages for what they do. One observes that the plants are taking root and the irrigator notes with gratitude that growth is progressing. That is the wage of their labor.

Paul does not mean in verse 9 that he and Apollos cooperate with GOD. No, what he says is that he and Apollos work together and do GOD’s work like that. One may do the planting and the other the irrigation, but both are used by GOD who gives the growth.

Verse 9 is not dealing with the contrast between “we” and “you”. It is about the similarity. As Paul and Apollos are GOD’s fellow workers, likewise the Corinthians are GOD’s farm and building. All labor and also ecclesia itself, is entirely GOD’s work. And therefore also his honor.

Delen: