In all our relations with our fellow-men, Christ's followers must realize their obligations as members of one great family, with one God. A man may be in Christ, truly regenerate and forgiven for his past sins, and yet be carnal; that is, according to Romans 7:18, he may be ruled by me, I, self. The marks of this inward disposition are set out here. He is a babe who needs to be fed with milk, little and often, because unable to digest solid food. He is a sectarian, throwing contempt on those who do not belong to his own school of thought. He allows himself to be infected with jealousy and strife. Let us test our Christian life by these symptoms. Where are we? And if we are conscious that self has become enthroned as the governing motive of life, let us not rest till Christ takes its place.
It is not easy to learn that the planter or the waterer is just nothing at all, and that God is all. Let us think of ourselves only as God's instruments, and in a humble way as God's fellow-workers. It is a most helpful thought. Constantly when engaged in tilling the soil as evangelists or in building character as preachers and teachers, let us count on success, because of the all-power of our great Partner. He must give the policy and direction; it is our part to conform wholly to His will and guidance. [source]
Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 3
1Milk is fit for children 3Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind 7He who plants and He who waters are nothing 9The ministers are God's fellow workmen 11Christ the only foundation 16You are the temples of God, which must be kept holy 19The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 3:6
I planted [εγω επυτευσα] First aorist active indicative of old verb πυτευω phuteuō This Paul did as Luke tells us in Acts 18:1-18. [source]
Apollos watered [Απολλως εποτισεν] Apollos irrigated the church there as is seen in Acts 18:24-19:1. Another aorist tense as in 1 Corinthians 3:2. But God gave the increase (αλλα ο τεος ηυχανεν alla ho theos ēuxanen). Imperfect tense here (active indicative) for the continuous blessing of God both on the work of Paul and Apollos, Corinthians-labourers with God in God‘s field (1 Corinthians 3:9). Reports of revivals sometimes give the glory to the evangelist or to both evangelist and pastor. Paul gives it all to God. He and Apollos cooperated as successive pastors. [source]
But God gave the increase [αλλα ο τεος ηυχανεν] Imperfect tense here (active indicative) for the continuous blessing of God both on the work of Paul and Apollos, Corinthians-labourers with God in God‘s field (1 Corinthians 3:9). Reports of revivals sometimes give the glory to the evangelist or to both evangelist and pastor. Paul gives it all to God. He and Apollos cooperated as successive pastors. [source]
Planted - watered - gave the increase [ἐφύτευσα - ἐπότισεν - ηὔξανεν] The first two verbs are in the aorist tense, marking definite acts; the third is in the imperfect, marking the continued gracious agency of God, and possibly the simultaneousness of His work with that of the two preachers. God was giving the increase while we planted and watered. There is a parallel in the simultaneous work of Satan with that of the preachers of the word as indicated by the continuous presents in Matthew 13:19. See note there. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 3:6
1 Corinthians 3:9Building [οἰκοδομή] Paul's metaphors are drawn from the works and customs of men rather than from the works of nature. “In his epistles,” says Archdeacon Farrar, “we only breathe the air of cities and synagogues.” The abundance of architectural metaphors is not strange in view of the magnificent temples and public buildings which he was continually seeing at Antioch, Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus. His frequent use of to build and building in a moral and spiritual sense is noteworthy. In this sense the two words οἰκοδομέω and οἰκοδομή occur twenty-six times in the New Testament, and in all but two cases in Paul's writings. Peter uses build in a similar sense; 1 Peter 2:5. See edify, edification, build, Acts 9:31; Romans 15:20; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 8:10, where emboldened is literally built up, and is used ironically. Also Romans 14:19; Romans 15:2; 1 Corinthians 14:3; Ephesians 2:21, etc. It is worth noting that in the Epistle to the Hebrews, while the same metaphor occurs, different words are used. Thus in Hebrews 3:3,Hebrews 3:4, built, builded, represent κατασκευάζω toprepare. In Hebrews 11:10, τεχνίτης artificerand δημιουργὸς , lit., a workman for the public: A.V., builder and maker. This fact has a bearing on the authorship of the epistle. In earlier English, edify was used for build in the literal sense. Thus Piers Ploughman: “I shal overturne this temple and a-down throwe it, and in thre daies after edifie it newe.” See on Acts 20:32. In the double metaphor of the field and the building, the former furnishes the mould of Paul's thought in 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, and the latter in 1 Corinthians 3:10-17. Edwards remarks that the field describes the raw material on which God works, the house the result of the work. [source]
1 Corinthians 12:13Made to drink [ἐποτίσθημεν] The verb means originally to give to drink, from which comes the sense of to water or irrigate. The former is invariably the sense in the gospels and Revelation; the latter in 1 Corinthians 3:6-8, and by some here. The reference is to the reception of the Spirit in baptism. Omit into before one Spirit. [source]
1 Timothy 3:6Novice [νεόφυτον] N.T.oFrom νέος newand φυτόν aplant. Comp. 1 Corinthians 3:6,1 Corinthians 3:7; Matthew 15:13. Hence, a new convert, a neophyte. Comp. in lxx Job 14:9; Psalm 127:3; Psalm 143:12; Isaiah 5:7. Chrysostom explains it as newly catechised ( νεοκατήχητος ); but a neophyte differed from a catechumen in having received baptism. Better the ancient Greek interpreters, newly baptized ( νεοβάπτιστος ). After the ceremony of baptism the neophytes wore white garments for eight days, from Easter eve until the Sunday after Easter, which was called Dominica in albis, the Sunday in white. The Egyptian archives of Berlin give νεόφυτος a Fayum papyrus of the second century A. D., of newly-planted palm trees. Comp. lxx, Psalm 127:3: “Thy sons as νεόφυτα ἐλαιῶν plantsof olives.” [source]
James 1:21Putting away [αποτεμενοι] Second aorist middle participle of αποτιτημι apotithēmi to put off, metaphor of removing clothing as in Romans 13:12; Colossians 3:8; Ephesians 4:22,Ephesians 4:25; 1 Peter 2:1.Filthiness (ρυπαριαν ruparian). Late word (Plutarch) from ρυπαρος ruparos dirty (James 2:2), here only in N.T. Surely a dirty garment.Overflowing of wickedness Περισσεια Perisseia is a late word (from περισσος perissos abundant, exceeding), only four times in N.T., in 2 Corinthians 8:2 with χαρας charas (of joy), in Romans 5:17 with χαριτος charitos (of grace). Κακια Kakia (from κακος kakos evil) can be either general like ρυπαρια ruparia (filthiness, naughtiness), or special like “malice.” But any of either sense is a “superfluity.”With meekness (εν πρατητι en praūtēti). In docility. “The contrast is with οργη orgē rather than κακιας kakias ” (Ropes).The implanted word This old verbal adjective (from εμπυω emphuō to implant, to grow in), only here in N.T., meaning properly ingrown, inborn, not εμπυτευτον emphuteuton (engrafted). It is “the rooted word” (James 1:18), sown in the heart as the soil or garden of God (Matt 13:3-23; Matthew 15:13; 1 Corinthians 3:6).Able to save (δυναμενον σωσαι dunamenon sōsai). Cf. 1 Peter 1:9; James 2:14; James 4:12; James 5:20; Romans 1:16. Ultimate salvation (effective aorist active infinitive σωσαι sōsai from σωζω sōzō). [source]
James 1:21The implanted word [τον εμπυτον λογον] This old verbal adjective (from εμπυω emphuō to implant, to grow in), only here in N.T., meaning properly ingrown, inborn, not εμπυτευτον emphuteuton (engrafted). It is “the rooted word” (James 1:18), sown in the heart as the soil or garden of God (Matt 13:3-23; Matthew 15:13; 1 Corinthians 3:6).Able to save (δυναμενον σωσαι dunamenon sōsai). Cf. 1 Peter 1:9; James 2:14; James 4:12; James 5:20; Romans 1:16. Ultimate salvation (effective aorist active infinitive σωσαι sōsai from σωζω sōzō). [source]
James 1:21Overflowing of wickedness [περισσειαν κακιας] Περισσεια Perisseia is a late word (from περισσος perissos abundant, exceeding), only four times in N.T., in 2 Corinthians 8:2 with χαρας charas (of joy), in Romans 5:17 with χαριτος charitos (of grace). Κακια Kakia (from κακος kakos evil) can be either general like ρυπαρια ruparia (filthiness, naughtiness), or special like “malice.” But any of either sense is a “superfluity.”With meekness (εν πρατητι en praūtēti). In docility. “The contrast is with οργη orgē rather than κακιας kakias ” (Ropes).The implanted word This old verbal adjective (from εμπυω emphuō to implant, to grow in), only here in N.T., meaning properly ingrown, inborn, not εμπυτευτον emphuteuton (engrafted). It is “the rooted word” (James 1:18), sown in the heart as the soil or garden of God (Matt 13:3-23; Matthew 15:13; 1 Corinthians 3:6).Able to save (δυναμενον σωσαι dunamenon sōsai). Cf. 1 Peter 1:9; James 2:14; James 4:12; James 5:20; Romans 1:16. Ultimate salvation (effective aorist active infinitive σωσαι sōsai from σωζω sōzō). [source]
What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 3:6 mean?
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: Ἀπολλῶς
Sense: a learned Jew from Alexandria and mighty in the scriptures who became a Christian and a teacher of Christianity.
Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 3:6
First aorist active indicative of old verb πυτευω phuteuō This Paul did as Luke tells us in Acts 18:1-18. [source]
Apollos irrigated the church there as is seen in Acts 18:24-19:1. Another aorist tense as in 1 Corinthians 3:2. But God gave the increase (αλλα ο τεος ηυχανεν alla ho theos ēuxanen). Imperfect tense here (active indicative) for the continuous blessing of God both on the work of Paul and Apollos, Corinthians-labourers with God in God‘s field (1 Corinthians 3:9). Reports of revivals sometimes give the glory to the evangelist or to both evangelist and pastor. Paul gives it all to God. He and Apollos cooperated as successive pastors. [source]
Imperfect tense here (active indicative) for the continuous blessing of God both on the work of Paul and Apollos, Corinthians-labourers with God in God‘s field (1 Corinthians 3:9). Reports of revivals sometimes give the glory to the evangelist or to both evangelist and pastor. Paul gives it all to God. He and Apollos cooperated as successive pastors. [source]
The first two verbs are in the aorist tense, marking definite acts; the third is in the imperfect, marking the continued gracious agency of God, and possibly the simultaneousness of His work with that of the two preachers. God was giving the increase while we planted and watered. There is a parallel in the simultaneous work of Satan with that of the preachers of the word as indicated by the continuous presents in Matthew 13:19. See note there. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 3:6
Paul's metaphors are drawn from the works and customs of men rather than from the works of nature. “In his epistles,” says Archdeacon Farrar, “we only breathe the air of cities and synagogues.” The abundance of architectural metaphors is not strange in view of the magnificent temples and public buildings which he was continually seeing at Antioch, Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus. His frequent use of to build and building in a moral and spiritual sense is noteworthy. In this sense the two words οἰκοδομέω and οἰκοδομή occur twenty-six times in the New Testament, and in all but two cases in Paul's writings. Peter uses build in a similar sense; 1 Peter 2:5. See edify, edification, build, Acts 9:31; Romans 15:20; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 8:10, where emboldened is literally built up, and is used ironically. Also Romans 14:19; Romans 15:2; 1 Corinthians 14:3; Ephesians 2:21, etc. It is worth noting that in the Epistle to the Hebrews, while the same metaphor occurs, different words are used. Thus in Hebrews 3:3, Hebrews 3:4, built, builded, represent κατασκευάζω toprepare. In Hebrews 11:10, τεχνίτης artificerand δημιουργὸς , lit., a workman for the public: A.V., builder and maker. This fact has a bearing on the authorship of the epistle. In earlier English, edify was used for build in the literal sense. Thus Piers Ploughman: “I shal overturne this temple and a-down throwe it, and in thre daies after edifie it newe.” See on Acts 20:32. In the double metaphor of the field and the building, the former furnishes the mould of Paul's thought in 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, and the latter in 1 Corinthians 3:10-17. Edwards remarks that the field describes the raw material on which God works, the house the result of the work. [source]
The verb means originally to give to drink, from which comes the sense of to water or irrigate. The former is invariably the sense in the gospels and Revelation; the latter in 1 Corinthians 3:6-8, and by some here. The reference is to the reception of the Spirit in baptism. Omit into before one Spirit. [source]
N.T.oFrom νέος newand φυτόν aplant. Comp. 1 Corinthians 3:6, 1 Corinthians 3:7; Matthew 15:13. Hence, a new convert, a neophyte. Comp. in lxx Job 14:9; Psalm 127:3; Psalm 143:12; Isaiah 5:7. Chrysostom explains it as newly catechised ( νεοκατήχητος ); but a neophyte differed from a catechumen in having received baptism. Better the ancient Greek interpreters, newly baptized ( νεοβάπτιστος ). After the ceremony of baptism the neophytes wore white garments for eight days, from Easter eve until the Sunday after Easter, which was called Dominica in albis, the Sunday in white. The Egyptian archives of Berlin give νεόφυτος a Fayum papyrus of the second century A. D., of newly-planted palm trees. Comp. lxx, Psalm 127:3: “Thy sons as νεόφυτα ἐλαιῶν plantsof olives.” [source]
Second aorist middle participle of αποτιτημι apotithēmi to put off, metaphor of removing clothing as in Romans 13:12; Colossians 3:8; Ephesians 4:22, Ephesians 4:25; 1 Peter 2:1.Filthiness (ρυπαριαν ruparian). Late word (Plutarch) from ρυπαρος ruparos dirty (James 2:2), here only in N.T. Surely a dirty garment.Overflowing of wickedness Περισσεια Perisseia is a late word (from περισσος perissos abundant, exceeding), only four times in N.T., in 2 Corinthians 8:2 with χαρας charas (of joy), in Romans 5:17 with χαριτος charitos (of grace). Κακια Kakia (from κακος kakos evil) can be either general like ρυπαρια ruparia (filthiness, naughtiness), or special like “malice.” But any of either sense is a “superfluity.”With meekness (εν πρατητι en praūtēti). In docility. “The contrast is with οργη orgē rather than κακιας kakias ” (Ropes).The implanted word This old verbal adjective (from εμπυω emphuō to implant, to grow in), only here in N.T., meaning properly ingrown, inborn, not εμπυτευτον emphuteuton (engrafted). It is “the rooted word” (James 1:18), sown in the heart as the soil or garden of God (Matt 13:3-23; Matthew 15:13; 1 Corinthians 3:6).Able to save (δυναμενον σωσαι dunamenon sōsai). Cf. 1 Peter 1:9; James 2:14; James 4:12; James 5:20; Romans 1:16. Ultimate salvation (effective aorist active infinitive σωσαι sōsai from σωζω sōzō). [source]
This old verbal adjective (from εμπυω emphuō to implant, to grow in), only here in N.T., meaning properly ingrown, inborn, not εμπυτευτον emphuteuton (engrafted). It is “the rooted word” (James 1:18), sown in the heart as the soil or garden of God (Matt 13:3-23; Matthew 15:13; 1 Corinthians 3:6).Able to save (δυναμενον σωσαι dunamenon sōsai). Cf. 1 Peter 1:9; James 2:14; James 4:12; James 5:20; Romans 1:16. Ultimate salvation (effective aorist active infinitive σωσαι sōsai from σωζω sōzō). [source]
Περισσεια Perisseia is a late word (from περισσος perissos abundant, exceeding), only four times in N.T., in 2 Corinthians 8:2 with χαρας charas (of joy), in Romans 5:17 with χαριτος charitos (of grace). Κακια Kakia (from κακος kakos evil) can be either general like ρυπαρια ruparia (filthiness, naughtiness), or special like “malice.” But any of either sense is a “superfluity.”With meekness (εν πρατητι en praūtēti). In docility. “The contrast is with οργη orgē rather than κακιας kakias ” (Ropes).The implanted word This old verbal adjective (from εμπυω emphuō to implant, to grow in), only here in N.T., meaning properly ingrown, inborn, not εμπυτευτον emphuteuton (engrafted). It is “the rooted word” (James 1:18), sown in the heart as the soil or garden of God (Matt 13:3-23; Matthew 15:13; 1 Corinthians 3:6).Able to save (δυναμενον σωσαι dunamenon sōsai). Cf. 1 Peter 1:9; James 2:14; James 4:12; James 5:20; Romans 1:16. Ultimate salvation (effective aorist active infinitive σωσαι sōsai from σωζω sōzō). [source]