1 Corinthians 3:4-8
Ps Paul Cheng
Dear Bethelites,
The Corinthian church was a much-divided church. The people were so carnal and immature that they built up factions within the church. 1 Corinthians 3:4, For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
One can imagine the Corinthians boasting to one another, “I am better than you because I am with Apollos who is a great preacher,” others would reply, “I am with Paul who is an apostle, and Apollos is not an apostle,” yet others would say, “I am Peter and he was one of Jesus’ twelve disciples.”
This is not uncommon in today’s churches as people would compare amongst themselves regarding the size of their congregation or the effectiveness of their ministry. Believers must never glorify their ministries or themselves, for the glory must go to God alone.
The Apostle Paul gave four reasons why we should not glorify ourselves.
I. We are servants of God
1 Corinthians 3:5, Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
The word ministers (diakonos) is from where the English word deacons is derived. It means to serve tables; attendants, servants who do menial work or wait on tables.
Notice Paul did not say “in whom ye believed,” but by whom ye believed. There is a world of difference; “in whom ye believed” refers to the object of faith that is Christ, while by whom ye believed speaks of the instrument. The instrument must never rob the object of His glory. God used Paul and Apollos as instruments and tools of His redeeming grace. God was the One who was reaching out to the Corinthians!
By way of illustration, let us say, you saw a beautiful painting, and you wanted to know who was responsible for that painting. It was the work of a renowned world-famous artist, and he happened to be there at that time in the art gallery. Someone introduced you to him, and you said to him, “I am so impressed by your painting. You must have a very good brush to paint such amazing artwork. Please, can I see your brush?” Don’t you think the people would be shocked and think that you are crazy? The brush is just an instrument or a tool. You should see the artist himself, not the brush. The artist could have used any brush he wanted and still be able to paint that picture!
That was Paul’s point; both Apollos and himself were just the ministers, servants and instruments, by whom ye believed. The Corinthians should be excited about the artist (God), instead of the brush (ministers).
Verse 5b, even as the Lord gave to every man means even as the Lord gave opportunity to each man. God gives to every man and woman different responsibilities and jobs. God gave to Paul the task of planting churches, and He gave to Apollos the job of helping the people to grow. Both men were instruments with different jobs to accomplish. They could either be faithful or unfaithful in fulfilling their work.
Dear friend, what is your work in the church? Your job may be to come early to church on the Lord’s day, to prepare the setup and welcome the people. Or your job may be to teach the children, and prepare the refreshment to feed the people who are hungry after the service. Or your job may be to reach out to the new visitors and evangelise to the unbelievers. God has given to each of us a job, and we must remember that we are merely servants and instruments. We must faithfully do a good job, according to the opportunity, even as the Lord gave to every man. We are servants of God!
We cannot give the increase
1 Corinthians 3:6, I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
Here Paul used an agricultural illustration. It was not the person who put the seed into the ground or the one who watered that caused the seed to grow. Similarly, one can present scriptures to people but he cannot make them believe, or one can evangelise but he cannot save, or one can teach Bible lessons but he cannot “disciple.” Only God can bring about spiritual growth!
1 Corinthians 3:7, So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Paul was implying, “I am nothing, so is Apollos, and God is everything!” God was the one who gave the fruit, and could use anyone to bring about the flourishing crop.
Notice, Paul mentioned that it was God who gave the increase twice (for emphasis); spiritual growth depended on Him alone. It was a spiritual work, and the glory must go to Him.
This truth was best described by John the Baptist who said, “Christ must increase and I must decrease.” John knew that God could have used anyone, therefore the focus must never be on him but Christ. Christ alone must be glorified; after John had finished his work, he must decrease and fade away.
II. We share a common objective
1 Corinthians 3:8, Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
God is sovereign to bring about spiritual growth, but what about man’s responsibility? God is 100% sovereign, and man is 100% responsible, for he is His instrument.
Paul was still focusing on the agricultural illustration. One can plant the seeds, but if there is no one to water the seeds, they will never grow. The “planter” needs the “water-boy,” just as the “water-boy” needs the “planter.” They work together and need each other!
We may have different work and ministries but we are all working towards the same common objective and the ultimate purpose is that God be glorified. That is what being one means. Instead of fighting against one another, or murmuring and comparing about who is better, we should do our part faithfully, and remember that we are one.
1 Corinthians 3:9, For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry (or God’s field), ye are God’s building.” We are labourers cultivating in God’s field and building. As labourers, we have the responsibility to make sure the church is built on a solid foundation, and she shines for Christ.
God knows everything about us including the amount of effort we have put into His work. He has called us to do specific work in His harvest field, and He knows the number of seeds we have planted and amount of water we have given to those seeds. God knows, remembers and rewards!
III. We will receive our reward
1 Corinthians 3:8b,….and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. The word labour means to work to the point of exhaustion; you shall receive your own reward according to your hard work.
Some people are gifted with more talents and opportunities than others. Christians are rewarded not for their talents and opportunities, but they use those talents and opportunities for God’s glory. Christians are rewarded for their labour!
Some people consider certain Christian work is more important or significant than others. But the truth of the matter is that if God has called a person to work, that is the most important ministry he can ever have. All of God’s work is important!
The prophet Jeremiah served for many years, and was often rejected and persecuted. He saw very little result from his ministry, while the prophet Jonah apparently made only one trip to Nineveh and the entire city repented. Does it mean that Jeremiah would receive a lesser reward than Jonah because of the lack of success? Most certainly not! It was God who gave the increase; and God rewards according to one’s labours!
Perhaps, you may not be talented in so many areas, and you may not have so many opportunities to serve. But you may be rewarded more than all the pastors, preachers and missionaries. Why? Because of your labour, if you have put in more effort than all the rest!
With love in Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng