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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 3:5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/3-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/46_1Co_03_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 3:5 - God's Fellow Workers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? 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And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us. <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Who then is Apollos? And who is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord has given to each. <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/3.htm">King James Bible</a> Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? <a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/3.htm">New King James Version</a> Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each one. <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Just servants through whom you believed [in Christ], even as the Lord appointed to each his task. <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> What then is Apollos? What is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, and each has the role the Lord has given. <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him. <a href="/cev/1_corinthians/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Apollos and I are merely servants who helped you to have faith. It was the Lord who made it all happen. <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him. <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Who is Apollos? Who is Paul? They are servants who helped you come to faith. Each did what the Lord gave him to do. <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? We are simply God's servants, by whom you were led to believe. Each one of us does the work which the Lord gave him to do: <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> Who is Apollos, anyhow? Or who is Paul? They're merely servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord gave to each of us his task. <a href="/msb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> Who then is Paul? And who is Apollos? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. <a href="/net/1_corinthians/3.htm">NET Bible</a> What is Apollos, really? Or what is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, and each of us in the ministry the Lord gave us. <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, and each as the Lord gave to him. <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are just God's servants, through whose efforts, and as the Lord granted power to each, you accepted the faith. <a href="/web/1_corinthians/3.htm">World English Bible</a> Who then is Apollos, and who is Paul, but servants through whom you believed, and each as the Lord gave to him? <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Who, then, is Paul, and who Apollos, but servants through whom you believed, and to each as the LORD gave? <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Who then is Apollos? And who is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord has given to each. <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> Who, then, is Paul, and who Apollos, but ministrants through whom ye did believe, and to each as the Lord gave? <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Who then is Paul, and who Apollos, but servants by whom ye believed, and to each as the Lord gave?<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> The ministers of him whom you have believed; and to every one as the Lord hath given. <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> We are only the ministers of him in whom you have believed, just as the Lord has granted to each of you. <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/3.htm">New American Bible</a> What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one. <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, as the Lord assigned to each.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you were converted; each one is gifted according as the LORD gave to him. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For who is Paulus or who is Apollo, but Ministers by whom you have believed? And each man is according to what THE LORD JEHOVAH has given him.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> Who, then, is Paul? and who is Apollos? Ministers by whom you have believed, even as the Lord gave to each one. <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Then what is Apollos? and what is Paul? But ministers through whom ye believed; even as the Lord gave to each one. <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but the ministers through whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to each of us? <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye have received faith according to the divine gifts imparted to each of them? <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are just God's servants, through whose efforts, and as the Lord granted power to each, you accepted the faith. <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> What, then, is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and as the Lord gave to each. <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whose means ye embraced the faith, even as the Lord gave success to each of them? <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=462" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">God's Fellow Workers</a> …4For when one of you says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men? 5<a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: Ti (IPro-NNS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">What</a> <a href="/greek/3767.htm" title="3767: oun (Conj) -- Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly.">then</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/625.htm" title="625: Apollōs (N-NMS) -- Apollos, a Jew of Alexandria. Probably from the same as Apollonia; Apollos, an Israelite.">Apollos?</a> <a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">And</a> <a href="/greek/5101.htm" title="5101: ti (IPro-NNS) -- Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what.">what</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/3972.htm" title="3972: Paulos (N-NMS) -- Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle.">Paul?</a> <a href="/greek/1249.htm" title="1249: diakonoi (N-NMP) -- Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor.">They are servants</a> <a href="/greek/1223.htm" title="1223: di’ (Prep) -- A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.">through</a> <a href="/greek/3739.htm" title="3739: hōn (RelPro-GMP) -- Who, which, what, that. ">whom</a> <a href="/greek/4100.htm" title="4100: episteusate (V-AIA-2P) -- From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust.">you believed,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. "></a> <a href="/greek/5613.htm" title="5613: hōs (Adv) -- Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.">as</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2962.htm" title="2962: Kyrios (N-NMS) -- Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master.">Lord</a> <a href="/greek/1325.htm" title="1325: edōken (V-AIA-3S) -- To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give.">has assigned</a> <a href="/greek/1538.htm" title="1538: hekastō (Adj-DMS) -- Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every.">to each his role.</a> 6I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/1_corinthians/1-12.htm">1 Corinthians 1:12-13</a> What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, “I follow Paul,” “I follow Apollos,” “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” / Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul? <a href="/1_corinthians/4-1.htm">1 Corinthians 4:1</a> So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. <a href="/acts/18-24.htm">Acts 18:24-28</a> Meanwhile a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, well versed in the Scriptures. / He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. / And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. ... <a href="/acts/19-1.htm">Acts 19:1</a> While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the interior and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples <a href="/1_corinthians/9-1.htm">1 Corinthians 9:1-2</a> Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you yourselves not my workmanship in the Lord? / Even if I am not an apostle to others, surely I am to you. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord. <a href="/2_corinthians/3-5.htm">2 Corinthians 3:5-6</a> Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. / And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. <a href="/2_corinthians/4-5.htm">2 Corinthians 4:5</a> For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. <a href="/ephesians/3-7.htm">Ephesians 3:7</a> I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace, given me through the working of His power. <a href="/colossians/1-25.htm">Colossians 1:25</a> I became its servant by the commission God gave me to fully proclaim to you the word of God, <a href="/1_timothy/1-12.htm">1 Timothy 1:12</a> I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, that He considered me faithful and appointed me to service. <a href="/matthew/28-19.htm">Matthew 28:19-20</a> Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, / and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” <a href="/john/4-36.htm">John 4:36-38</a> Already the reaper draws his wages and gathers a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may rejoice together. / For in this case the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. / I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the hard work, and now you have taken up their labor.” <a href="/john/15-16.htm">John 15:16</a> You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will remain—so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. <a href="/romans/10-14.htm">Romans 10:14-15</a> How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? / And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” <a href="/romans/15-18.htm">Romans 15:18</a> I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obedience by word and deed,</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?ministers.<a href="/1_corinthians/3-7.htm">1 Corinthians 3:7</a> So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.<a href="/1_corinthians/4-1.htm">1 Corinthians 4:1,2</a> Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God… <a href="/luke/1-2.htm">Luke 1:2</a> Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;even.<a href="/1_corinthians/3-10.htm">1 Corinthians 3:10</a> 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.<a href="/1_corinthians/9-17.htm">1 Corinthians 9:17</a> For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.<a href="/1_corinthians/12-4.htm">1 Corinthians 12:4-11,28</a> Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/1-21.htm">Accepted</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-4.htm">Apollos</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-4.htm">Apol'los</a> <a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Assigned</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-21.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/romans/13-11.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/john/19-12.htm">Efforts</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-5.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-3.htm">Granted</a> <a href="/romans/13-6.htm">Ministers</a> <a href="/john/2-9.htm">Ministrants</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">News</a> <a href="/romans/7-11.htm">Opportunity</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-4.htm">Paul</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-5.htm">Power</a> <a href="/romans/16-18.htm">Servants</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/15-1.htm">Accepted</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm">Apollos</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm">Apol'los</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-17.htm">Assigned</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-27.htm">Believe</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/15-2.htm">Believed</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-9.htm">Efforts</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-14.htm">Faith</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-15.htm">Good</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-7.htm">Granted</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-1.htm">Ministers</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/11-15.htm">Ministrants</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-15.htm">News</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-21.htm">Opportunity</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-22.htm">Paul</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-19.htm">Power</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-1.htm">Servants</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 3</div>1. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">Milk is fit for children.</a> 3. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-3.htm">Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind.</a> 7. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-7.htm">He who plants and He who waters are nothing.</a> 9. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">The ministers are God's fellow workmen.</a> 11. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-11.htm">Christ the only foundation.</a> 16. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">You are the temples of God, which must be kept holy.</a> 19. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>What then is Apollos? Apollos was a Jewish Christian from Alexandria, known for his eloquence and knowledge of the Scriptures (<a href="/acts/18-24.htm">Acts 18:24-28</a>). His ministry in Corinth followed Paul's, and he was instrumental in watering the seeds Paul had planted. The question posed by Paul emphasizes the insignificance of human leaders compared to God's work. This reflects the early church's struggle with factionalism, as some believers aligned themselves with different leaders, creating divisions.And what is Paul? Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, was the founder of the Corinthian church. His rhetorical question here serves to downplay his own role, emphasizing that he, like Apollos, is merely a servant of God. This humility is consistent with Paul's teachings elsewhere, such as in <a href="/philippians/2-3.htm">Philippians 2:3-4</a>, where he encourages believers to consider others better than themselves.They are servants The term "servants" (Greek: diakonoi) highlights the role of Paul and Apollos as ministers or deacons, emphasizing service rather than authority. This aligns with Jesus' teaching in <a href="/mark/10-43.htm">Mark 10:43-45</a>, where greatness in God's kingdom is equated with servanthood. It underscores the idea that leaders in the church are to serve the body of Christ, not to seek personal glory.through whom you believed Paul acknowledges that both he and Apollos were instruments used by God to bring the Corinthians to faith. This reflects the biblical principle that faith comes through hearing the message of Christ (<a href="/romans/10-17.htm">Romans 10:17</a>). It also highlights the cooperative nature of ministry, where different individuals contribute to the spiritual growth of believers.as the Lord has assigned to each his role This phrase emphasizes God's sovereignty in assigning roles and tasks within the church. It reflects the teaching in <a href="/1_corinthians/12-4.htm">1 Corinthians 12:4-11</a>, where Paul explains that the Holy Spirit distributes gifts and roles according to His will. This understanding fosters unity, as it reminds believers that all roles are important and divinely appointed, reducing competition and division.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul.htm">Paul</a> An apostle of Jesus Christ, who played a significant role in the spread of Christianity in the first century. He is the author of the letter to the Corinthians. 2. <a href="/topical/a/apollos.htm">Apollos</a> A Jewish Christian from Alexandria, known for his eloquence and knowledge of the Scriptures. He was a prominent teacher in the early church and worked alongside Paul in Corinth. 3. <a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a> A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and immorality. It was a significant center for early Christian evangelism and the recipient of Paul's letters. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_corinthian_church.htm">The Corinthian Church</a> A diverse group of believers in Corinth, struggling with divisions and immaturity in their faith, which Paul addresses in his letters. 5. <a href="/topical/s/servants.htm">Servants</a> The term used by Paul to describe himself and Apollos, emphasizing their roles as humble workers for God, rather than leaders to be idolized.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_diversity.htm">Unity in Diversity</a> The church is made up of diverse individuals with different roles, but all are united in purpose. We should celebrate and respect the different gifts and roles within the body of Christ. <a href="/topical/s/servanthood_over_celebrity.htm">Servanthood Over Celebrity</a> Paul and Apollos are described as servants, not celebrities. In our churches today, we should focus on serving God and others rather than seeking personal recognition or following human leaders. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_assignments.htm">God's Sovereignty in Assignments</a> God assigns roles and responsibilities according to His will. We should seek to understand and fulfill the role God has given us, trusting in His perfect plan. <a href="/topical/a/avoiding_division.htm">Avoiding Division</a> Division arises when we elevate human leaders above their God-given roles. We must keep our focus on Christ, who is the head of the church, to maintain unity. <a href="/topical/f/faithful_stewardship.htm">Faithful Stewardship</a> As servants of God, we are called to be faithful stewards of the roles and responsibilities He has entrusted to us, working diligently for His glory.<a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) The Apostle now proceeds to explain (<a href="/context/1_corinthians/3-5.htm" title="Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?">1Corinthians 3:5-9</a>) what is the true position and work of Christian ministers. He asserts that all alike--both those who teach the simpler truths, and those who build up upon that primary knowledge--are only instruments in God's hand; and in <a href="/context/1_corinthians/3-10.htm" title="According to the grace of God which is given to me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon.">1Corinthians 3:10-15</a> (replying to those who sneered at and despised his simple teaching as compared to the higher instruction of Apollos) he points out that though all are only instruments used by God, yet that if there be any difference of honour or utility in the various kinds of work for which God so uses His ministers, the greater work is the planting the seed, or the laying the foundation. There can be only one foundation--it is alike necessary and unvarying--many others may build upon it, with varied material and with different results.Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos.--Better, What then is Apollos? what is Paul? and to these abrupt and startling questions the answer is, "Merely those whom Christ used, according as He gave to each his own peculiar powers as the means of your conversion." (Such is the force of the word "believed" here as in <a href="/romans/13-11.htm" title="And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.">Romans 13:11</a>). It is therefore absurd that you should exalt them into heads of parties. They are only instruments--each used as the great Master thought best.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verses 5-15. - The one foundation and the diverse superstructure. Verse 5. - Who then is Paul? The better reading is what? (א, A, B). The neuter would imply a still greater depreciation of the importance of human ministers. Ministers. The same word as that rendered "deacons" (diakonoi); "ministers of Christ on your behalf" (<a href="/colossians/1-7.htm">Colossians 1:7</a>). Through whom ye believed. Through whom," not "in whom" (Bengel). They were merely the instruments of your conversion. In the second Epistle (<a href="/2_corinthians/3-3.htm">2 Corinthians 3:3</a>) he calls them "the epistle of Christ ministered by us written... with the Spirit of the living God." As the Lord gave to him. The gifts differ according to the grace given (<a href="/romans/12-6.htm">Romans 12:6</a>). <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>What Τί (Ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. then οὖν (oun) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3767.htm">Strong's 3767: </a> Therefore, then. Apparently a primary word; certainly, or accordingly. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. Apollos? Ἀπολλῶς (Apollōs) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_625.htm">Strong's 625: </a> Apollos, a Jew of Alexandria. Probably from the same as Apollonia; Apollos, an Israelite. And δέ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. what τί (ti) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5101.htm">Strong's 5101: </a> Who, which, what, why. Probably emphatic of tis; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what. is ἐστιν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. Paul? Παῦλος (Paulos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3972.htm">Strong's 3972: </a> Paul, Paulus. Of Latin origin; Paulus, the name of a Roman and of an apostle. [They are] servants διάκονοι (diakonoi) Noun - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1249.htm">Strong's 1249: </a> Probably from an obsolete diako; an attendant, i.e. a waiter; specially, a Christian teacher and pastor. through δι’ (di’) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1223.htm">Strong's 1223: </a> A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through. whom ὧν (hōn) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3739.htm">Strong's 3739: </a> Who, which, what, that. you believed, ἐπιστεύσατε (episteusate) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> From pistis; to have faith, i.e. Credit; by implication, to entrust. as ὡς (hōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_5613.htm">Strong's 5613: </a> Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner. the ὁ (ho) Article - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Lord Κύριος (Kyrios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2962.htm">Strong's 2962: </a> Lord, master, sir; the Lord. From kuros; supreme in authority, i.e. controller; by implication, Master. has assigned ἔδωκεν (edōken) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1325.htm">Strong's 1325: </a> To offer, give; I put, place. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to give. to each [ his role ]. ἑκάστῳ (hekastō) Adjective - Dative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1538.htm">Strong's 1538: </a> Each (of more than two), every one. As if a superlative of hekas; each or every. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">1 Corinthians 3:5 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">1 Corinthians 3:5 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">1 Corinthians 3:5 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">1 Corinthians 3:5 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">1 Corinthians 3:5 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">1 Corinthians 3:5 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">1 Corinthians 3:5 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">1 Corinthians 3:5 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">1 Corinthians 3:5 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">1 Corinthians 3:5 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 3:5 Who then is Apollos and who (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 3:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 3:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 3:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 3:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>