1 Corinthians 3:5

Translations

Modern

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.

Traditional

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

Literal

Who then is Apollos? And who is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to each.

Latin

…ministri ejus, cui credidistis, et unicuique sicut Dominus dedit.

Original

Greek

English

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.

Notes

1 Corinthians 3:5–9

It is wrong to proudly identify as a follower of a human teacher because God does the real work of redemption. He deserves the honor.
They are servants: See 2 Corinthians 4:5.

1 Corinthians 3:1–4:7

After comparing human and spiritual wisdom, Paul addresses the divisions in the Corinthian church (see 1 Corinthians 1:10–12), especially their undue loyalty to him and Apollos.

Theme notes and profiles

Apollos Paul (Saul) John’s Profile of Discipleship Religious Hypocrisy

Related verses

2 Corinthians 6:4
Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities;
2 Corinthians 6:1
As God’s fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.
1 Peter 4:10
As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another.
2 Corinthians 3:6
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.
2 Corinthians 11:23
Are they servants of Christ? (I am speaking as if I were out of my mind.) I am so much more: in harder labor, in more imprisonments, in worse beatings, in frequent danger of death.
2 Corinthians 4:7
Now we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this surpassingly great power is from God and not from us.
2 Corinthians 4:5
For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.
2 Corinthians 3:3
It is clear that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
1 Corinthians 3:10
By 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.
1 Corinthians 12:28
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.
Matthew 25:15
To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey.
1 Corinthians 4:1–2
So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.

Parallels

Hebrews 5:11–14

People

Apollos: Eloquent Jewish Christian from Alexandria, co-worker with Paul Paul: Apostle to the Gentiles, author of many NT epistles

Glossary

Apollos Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) First Letter to the Corinthians Paul the Apostle Peter, Second Letter of Phoebe Second Letter to the Thessalonians

Topics

Apollos: An Eloquent, Christian Convert at Corinth Deacon: Also Translated |Minister| Faith: Preaching Designed to Produce Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul

1 Corinthians 3:5

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?

Parallels?