1 Corinthians 3:5-17

1 Corinthians 3:5-17

[5] Who  then  Paul,  and  who  is Apollos,  ministers  by  whom  ye believed,  even  as  the Lord  gave  to every man?  [6] have planted,  Apollos  watered;  but  God  gave the increase.  [7] So  then neither  he that planteth  any thing,  neither  he that watereth;  but  God  that giveth the increase.  [8] Now  he that planteth  and  he that watereth  one:  and  every man  shall receive  his own  reward  according  to his own  labour.  [9] For  labourers together  with God:  husbandry,  ye are God's  building.  [10] According  to the grace  of God  which  is given  as  a wise  masterbuilder,  I have laid  the foundation,  and  another  buildeth  thereon. But  every man  take heed  how  he buildeth  [11] For  other  foundation  can  no man  lay  than  that is laid,  which  Jesus  Christ.  [12] Now  build  upon  foundation  gold,  silver,  precious  stones,  wood,  hay,  stubble;  [13] Every man's  work  shall be made  manifest:  for  the day  shall declare  it, because  it shall be revealed  by  fire;  and  the fire  shall try  every man's  work  of what sort  [14] work  abide  which  he hath built  thereupon, he shall receive  a reward.  [15] work  shall be burned,  he shall suffer loss:  but  he himself  shall be saved;  yet  so  as  by  fire.  [16] Know ye  not  that  the temple  of God,  and  that the Spirit  of God  dwelleth  in  [17] defile  the temple  of God,  destroy;  for  the temple  of God  holy,  which 

What does 1 Corinthians 3:5-17 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Paul turned next to a positive explanation of how his readers should view him and his fellow workers.
"At issue is their radically misguided perception of the nature of the church and its leadership, in this case especially the role of the teachers." [1]
"In the first place, they have not understood the nature and character of the Christian message, the true wisdom ( 1 Corinthians 1:18 to 1 Corinthians 3:4). In the second place, their sectarian spirit indicates that they have no real understanding of the Christian ministry, its partnership under God in the propagation of the truth ( 1 Corinthians 3:5 to 1 Corinthians 4:5)." [2]