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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 3:9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/3-9.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/46_1Co_03_09.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 3:9 - God's Fellow Workers" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_corinthians/3-9.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_corinthians/3-9.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/">1 Corinthians</a> > <a href="/1_corinthians/3.htm">Chapter 3</a> > Verse 9</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad9.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-8.htm" title="1 Corinthians 3:8">◄</a> 1 Corinthians 3:9 <a href="/1_corinthians/3-10.htm" title="1 Corinthians 3:10">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/3.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/3.htm">New International Version</a> For we are co-workers in God&#8217s service; you are God&#8217s field, God&#8217s building. <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/3.htm">New Living Translation</a> For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building. <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/3.htm">King James Bible</a> For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. <a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/3.htm">New King James Version</a> For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> For we are God&#8217s fellow workers; you are God&#8217s field, God&#8217s building. <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For we are God’s fellow workers [His servants working together]; you are God’s cultivated field [His garden, His vineyard], God’s building. <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For we are God’s coworkers. You are God’s field, God’s building. <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For we are God&#8217s coworkers. You are God&#8217s field, God&#8217s building. <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> For we are God's fellow-workers: ye are God's husbandry, God's building. <a href="/cev/1_corinthians/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Apollos and I work together for God, and you are God's garden and God's building. <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> For we are God's fellow-workers: ye are God's husbandry, God's building. <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> We are God's coworkers. You are God's field. You are God's building. <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> For we are partners working together for God, and you are God's field. You are also God's building. <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> For we are God's co-workers. You are God's farmland and God's building. <a href="/msb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For we are God?s fellow workers; you are God?s field, God?s building. <a href="/net/1_corinthians/3.htm">NET Bible</a> We are coworkers belonging to God. You are God's field, God's building. <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building. <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For we are laborers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Apollos and I are simply fellow workers for and with God, and you are *God's* field-- *God's* building. <a href="/web/1_corinthians/3.htm">World English Bible</a> For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s farming, God’s building. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> for we are fellow-workmen of God; you are God’s tillage, God’s building. <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for of God we are fellow-workmen; God's tillage, God's building ye are. <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For we are workers together with God: the agriculture of God, ye are the building of God.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For we are God's coadjutors: you are God's husbandry; you are God's building. <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For we are God’s assistants. You are God’s cultivation; you are God’s construction. <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/3.htm">New American Bible</a> For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For we are God’s servants, working together; you are God’s field, God’s building.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For we work together with God: you are God’s work and God’s building. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For we labor with God and you are the crop and the building of God.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For we are fellow-laborers for God: you are God's field, you are God's building.<CM> <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For we are God's fellow-laborers; ye are God's farm; ye are God's building. <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For we are God?s fellowlabourers: ye are God?s husbandry, ye are God?s building.<CM> <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> For we are fellow labourers employed by God: you are his field, and his mansion. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> Apollos and I are simply fellow workers for and with God, and you are *God's* field-- *God's* building. <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For we are God's fellow-workers; ye are God's husbandry, God's building. <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> For we are fellow-laborers, the servants of God: and ye are the husbandry of God, ye are the building of God. <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/3-9.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=494" 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> …8He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. 9<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: esmen (V-PIA-1P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">we are</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God’s</a> <a href="/greek/4904.htm" title="4904: synergoi (Adj-NMP) -- A fellow worker, associate, helper. From a presumed compound of sun and the base of ergon; a co-laborer, i.e. Coadjutor.">fellow workers;</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: este (V-PIA-2P) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">you are</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God’s</a> <a href="/greek/1091.htm" title="1091: geōrgion (N-NNS) -- A tilled field, cultivation, husbandry. Neuter of a derivative of georgos; cultivable, i.e. A farm.">field,</a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">God’s</a> <a href="/greek/3619.htm" title="3619: oikodomē (N-NFS) -- Feminine of a compound of oikos and the base of doma; architecture, i.e. a structure; figuratively, confirmation.">building.</a> 10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.…<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="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Ephesians 2:19-22</a> Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, / built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. / In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. ... <a href="/2_corinthians/6-1.htm">2 Corinthians 6:1</a> As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. <a href="/1_peter/2-5.htm">1 Peter 2:5</a> you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. <a href="/matthew/16-18.htm">Matthew 16:18</a> And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. <a href="/ephesians/4-12.htm">Ephesians 4:12</a> to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, <a href="/colossians/1-24.htm">Colossians 1:24</a> Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church. <a href="/romans/12-4.htm">Romans 12:4-5</a> Just as each of us has one body with many members, and not all members have the same function, / so in Christ we who are many are one body, and each member belongs to one another. <a href="/1_corinthians/12-27.htm">1 Corinthians 12:27</a> Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it. <a href="/2_timothy/2-21.htm">2 Timothy 2:21</a> So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work. <a href="/hebrews/3-6.htm">Hebrews 3:6</a> But Christ is faithful as the Son over God’s house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast. <a href="/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1-5</a> “I am the true vine, and My Father is the keeper of the vineyard. / He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, and every branch that does bear fruit, He prunes to make it even more fruitful. / You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ... <a href="/philippians/2-13.htm">Philippians 2:13</a> For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose. <a href="/1_thessalonians/3-2.htm">1 Thessalonians 3:2</a> We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, <a href="/isaiah/61-3.htm">Isaiah 61:3</a> to console the mourners in Zion—to give them a crown of beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and a garment of praise for a spirit of despair. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified. <a href="/psalms/127-1.htm">Psalm 127:1</a> A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For we are laborers together with God: you are God's husbandry, you are God's building.we.<a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm">1 Corinthians 3:6</a> I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.<a href="/matthew/9-37.htm">Matthew 9:37</a> Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;<a href="/mark/16-20.htm">Mark 16:20</a> And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.ye are God's.<a href="/psalms/65-9.htm">Psalm 65:9-13</a> Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it… <a href="/psalms/72-16.htm">Psalm 72:16</a> There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.<a href="/psalms/80-8.htm">Psalm 80:8-11</a> Thou hast brought a vine out of Egypt: thou hast cast out the heathen, and planted it… husbandry.<a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">1 Corinthians 3:16</a> Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?<a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19</a> What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?<a href="/psalms/118-22.htm">Psalm 118:22</a> The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm">Apollos</a> <a href="/romans/15-20.htm">Building</a> <a href="/jeremiah/27-11.htm">Farming</a> <a href="/romans/16-21.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/romans/16-3.htm">Fellow-Workers</a> <a href="/romans/16-3.htm">Fellow-Workmen</a> <a href="/romans/11-24.htm">Field</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/16-3.htm">Labourers</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-8.htm">Planting</a> <a href="/romans/15-19.htm">Simply</a> <a href="/hosea/10-12.htm">Tillage</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-10.htm">Together</a> <a href="/romans/16-12.htm">Workers</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/3-22.htm">Apollos</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-10.htm">Building</a> <a href="/genesis/9-20.htm">Farming</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-23.htm">Fellow</a> <a href="/colossians/4-11.htm">Fellow-Workers</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/1-24.htm">Fellow-Workmen</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-10.htm">Field</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/16-3.htm">Labourers</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-11.htm">Planting</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-10.htm">Simply</a> <a href="/genesis/45-6.htm">Tillage</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/5-4.htm">Together</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-28.htm">Workers</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>For we are God’s fellow workers; This phrase emphasizes the collaborative nature of ministry and the role of believers in God's work. The Apostle Paul, along with Apollos and other leaders, are described as co-laborers with God. This reflects the biblical principle that while God is sovereign, He chooses to work through human agents. The term "fellow workers" suggests a partnership, indicating that the work of the ministry is not done in isolation but in cooperation with God and others. This concept is echoed in <a href="/2_corinthians/6.htm">2 Corinthians 6:1</a>, where Paul again refers to believers as "workers together with Him." The idea of being co-laborers with God also highlights the dignity and responsibility of Christian service.you are God’s field, The metaphor of a field suggests growth, cultivation, and productivity. In the context of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the Corinthian church, which he had planted and Apollos had watered (<a href="/1_corinthians/3-6.htm">1 Corinthians 3:6</a>). The imagery of a field implies that the church is a place where spiritual seeds are sown, nurtured, and expected to bear fruit. This agricultural metaphor is common in Scripture, as seen in Jesus' parables, such as the Parable of the Sower (<a href="/matthew/13.htm">Matthew 13:1-23</a>). The field represents the community of believers who are to be cultivated through teaching, discipleship, and the work of the Holy Spirit.God’s building. Switching metaphors, Paul now describes the church as a building, emphasizing structure, stability, and purpose. This imagery points to the church as a spiritual edifice being constructed by God, with Christ as the foundation (<a href="/1_corinthians/3-11.htm">1 Corinthians 3:11</a>). The building metaphor is significant in the context of the ancient world, where temples and other structures were central to community life. In <a href="/ephesians/2-19.htm">Ephesians 2:19-22</a>, Paul expands on this idea, describing believers as being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. The concept of the church as a building underscores the importance of unity, order, and the indwelling presence of God among His people.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth, emphasizing unity and spiritual growth. 2. <a href="/topical/c/corinthian_church.htm">Corinthian Church</a> The recipients of the letter, a diverse and often divided group of believers in the city of Corinth. 3. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The ultimate authority and owner of the field and building, representing the church and its members. 4. <a href="/topical/f/fellow_workers.htm">Fellow Workers</a> Refers to Paul, Apollos, and other leaders who labor in spreading the Gospel and nurturing the church. 5. <a href="/topical/f/field_and_building.htm">Field and Building</a> Metaphors used by Paul to describe the church, emphasizing growth and structure.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/unity_in_christ's_work.htm">Unity in Christ's Work</a> As fellow workers, believers are called to work together in harmony, recognizing that each person has a role in God's plan. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_growth_and_maturity.htm">Spiritual Growth and Maturity</a> The metaphor of a field suggests ongoing growth and cultivation. Believers should seek spiritual maturity through study, prayer, and fellowship. <a href="/topical/t/the_church_as_god's_dwelling.htm">The Church as God's Dwelling</a> The church is not just a building but a community of believers where God dwells. This calls for reverence and commitment to holiness. <a href="/topical/s/stewardship_of_god's_resources.htm">Stewardship of God's Resources</a> As God's field and building, believers are entrusted with the responsibility to nurture and care for the church and its mission. <a href="/topical/p/partnership_with_god.htm">Partnership with God</a> Being God's fellow workers implies a partnership with Him, requiring obedience, faithfulness, and reliance on His strength.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 3</a> <a href="/q/how_does_1_cor_3_9_align_with_history.htm">How does 1 Corinthians 3:9 align with actual historical and archaeological records, given its metaphor of believers as God’s building and field? </a> <a href="/q/what_does_'faith_is_hope's_substance'_mean.htm">Who builds the house if not the Lord?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_christian_work_ethic.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian work ethic?</a> <a href="/q/what_is_christian_service_in_the_bible.htm">What does the Bible teach about Christian service?</a><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>(9) Thrice in this verse the Apostle repeats the name of God with emphasis, to explain and to impress the assertion of the previous verse, that men are to recognise the unity, and God alone the diversity, in the ministerial work and office. "We are GOD'S fellow-labourers; you are GOD'S field--GOD'S house." The image is thus suddenly altered from agriculture to architecture, as the latter can be more amplified, and will better illustrate the great variety of work of which the Apostle proceeds subsequently to speak. This sudden change of metaphor is a characteristic of St. Paul's style; a similar instance is to be found in <a href="/context/2_corinthians/10-4.htm" title="(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)">2Corinthians 10:4-8</a>, where the illustration given from architecture is used instead of the military metaphor which is employed in the earlier verses of that passage. See also <a href="/1_corinthians/9-7.htm" title="Who goes a warfare any time at his own charges? who plants a vineyard, and eats not of the fruit thereof? or who feeds a flock, and eats not of the milk of the flock?">1Corinthians 9:7</a>, and <a href="/ephesians/3-17.htm" title="That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,">Ephesians 3:17</a>, and <a href="/context/colossians/2-6.htm" title=" As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in him:">Colossians 2:6-7</a>, where there is the introduction of three distinct images in rapid succession in so many sentences. It has been suggested that possibly the use of the word "field," in the Greek "Georgion," was the cause of the Christian name "George" becoming so popular in the Church.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 9. - God's fellow workers. Throughout the Bible we are taught that God requires the work of man, and that he will not help those who will do nothing for themselves or for him. The world was to be evangelized, not by sudden miracle, but by faithful human labour (<a href="/mark/16-20.htm">Mark 16:20</a>). God's husbandry; rather. God's field, or tilled land. The thought which he desires again and again to enforce is that they belong to God, not to the parties of human teachers. The word" husbandry" may also mean vineyard, and the metaphor is the same as in <a href="/isaiah/5-1.htm">Isaiah 5:1</a>; <a href="/isaiah/27-2.htm">Isaiah 27:2</a>; <a href="/john/15-1.htm">John 15:1</a>; <a href="/matthew/13-3.htm">Matthew 13:3-30</a>; <a href="/luke/13-6.htm">Luke 13:6-9</a>; <a href="/romans/11-16.htm">Romans 11:16-24</a>. God's building. This is one of St. Paul's favourite metaphors, as in vers. 16, 17; <a href="/2_corinthians/6-16.htm">2 Corinthians 6:16</a>; <a href="/ephesians/2-20.htm">Ephesians 2:20 - 22</a>; <a href="/romans/15-20.htm">Romans 15:20</a>; <a href="/2_timothy/2-19.htm">2 Timothy 2:19</a> (comp. <a href="/1_peter/2-5.htm">1 Peter 2:5</a>; <a href="/revelation/21-14.htm">Revelation 21:14</a>). <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For γάρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. we are ἐσμεν (esmen) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 1st Person Plural <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. God’s Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. fellow workers; συνεργοί (synergoi) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_4904.htm">Strong's 4904: </a> A fellow worker, associate, helper. From a presumed compound of sun and the base of ergon; a co-laborer, i.e. Coadjutor. you are ἐστε (este) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 2nd Person Plural <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. God’s Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. field, γεώργιον (geōrgion) Noun - Nominative Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1091.htm">Strong's 1091: </a> A tilled field, cultivation, husbandry. Neuter of a derivative of georgos; cultivable, i.e. A farm. God’s Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. building. οἰκοδομή (oikodomē) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3619.htm">Strong's 3619: </a> Feminine of a compound of oikos and the base of doma; architecture, i.e. a structure; figuratively, confirmation. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">1 Corinthians 3:9 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 3:9 For we are God's fellow workers (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-8.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 3:8"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 3:8" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-10.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 3:10"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 3:10" /></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>