5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. 10 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. (1 Corinthians 3:5-10 KJV)
Watering, Working, Warning
The apostle teaches the Corinthians how to correct their divisions by reminding them that Paul and Apollos were only servants through whom they came to believe, each doing the work the Lord assigned (1 Corinthians 3:5). They were merely instruments used by God. It was wrong for the Corinthians to elevate them as if they were the source of their faith. Paul planted and Apollos watered, but it was God who gave the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6). Both served different roles, but neither had power in themselves—only God brings results (1 Corinthians 3:7). Even apostles depended on God’s blessing and gave Him all the glory for their success.
Paul points out that he and Apollos were united in their mission: “He who plants and he who waters are one” (1 Corinthians 3:8). They worked for the same Lord, preached the same message, and aimed for the same goal. Though their responsibilities differed, they were co-workers in God’s service (1 Corinthians 3:9). Faithful ministers may have different gifts, but they share one purpose: to honor God and lead people to salvation. Each will receive their reward based on their labor, because God sees their work and will reward them justly.
Paul corrects their misplaced loyalty by telling them they do not belong to Paul or Apollos—they are God’s field and God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9). The church belongs to God, and ministers are just laborers. Paul says that, by God’s grace, he laid the foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it (1 Corinthians 3:10). This wasn’t said to boast but to honor the grace that enabled him to do so. It’s not pride to acknowledge God’s gifts if done to give Him praise. Ministers should not be proud of their gifts or results, but grateful to God for using them.
Paul had laid the foundation of their church through the gospel (cf. 1 Corinthians 4:15). Others built on it afterward, but he cautions: “Let each one be careful how he builds” (1 Corinthians 3:10). A good foundation can still be built upon carelessly. Ministers must not add teachings that conflict with the gospel. They should preach only what aligns with the truth of Christ and avoid mixing divine revelation with human ideas. Only what matches the foundation—Jesus Christ—can stand.