Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Co 3:5–11)
In verses five through eight, Paul appears to summarize his previous arguments. He poses a rhetorical question: "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos?" He promptly answers that they are mere ministers through whom others believe. Paul emphasizes that both he and Apollos are necessary and have distinct roles. He compares their functions to planting and watering. Paul states that he is the one who plants while Apollos waters.
To clarify what he means by "I planted," Paul suggests that it refers to God using him to sow the gospel seeds in the city of Corinth. However, it is important to note that it was not God's intention for Paul to remain solely in Corinth, as we can gather from the extensive records of his missionary journeys and impact elsewhere.
Who Was Apollos?
Okay, the gospel seeds have been planted in the city of Corinth thanks to Paul but now what? Who was left to give leadership to this new group? And this is where the role of Apollos comes in.
Apollos, an eloquent Jewish believer from Alexandria, Egypt, is portrayed as a talented and passionate preacher who played a significant role in spreading the message of Jesus Christ, particularly in Ephesus and Corinth. He had a deep knowledge of the Scriptures (Old Testament) and a fervent spirit (Acts 18:24-25).
When Apollos arrived in Ephesus, he fearlessly spoke in the synagogue, teaching about Jesus, although his understanding of the Christian faith was limited to the baptism of John the Baptist. Recognizing that Apollos needed complete instruction, Aquila and Priscilla, a Christian couple, took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately. Their mentoring and encouragement were crucial in Apollos' growth (Acts 18:26).
After receiving instruction from Aquila and Priscilla, Apollos continued his ministry and travelled to Achaia, which included Corinth. He actively assisted those who believed by grace and boldly refuted the arguments of the Jews, using Scripture to demonstrate that Jesus is Christ.
As we have seen, the apostle Paul also mentions Apollos in this letter, we are studying a few times and he addresses divisions within the Corinthian church, noting that some Corinthians claimed allegiance to Apollos while others remained loyal to him. However, Paul clarifies that Apollos was not the founder of their faith but simply a servant through whom they came to believe.
As a wise master builder
The conclusion of this passage reveals significant insights from Paul. Firstly, he asserts that God has granted him the unique privilege of grace to establish churches. Second, he refers to himself as a master builder, which may initially sound egotistical. Thirdly, the implication is that others are to build upon the foundation he has laid. Finally, none other than Jesus Christ Himself, is both the foundation and the ultimate and unchanging cornerstone.
Paul referred to himself as a master builder. Is this just an egotistical claim or a statement of fact? Well, we must let the evidence speak for itself.
Apostle to the Gentiles: Paul is often called the apostle to the Gentiles. He played a crucial role in spreading the message of Jesus Christ beyond Jewish communities and reaching out to non-Jewish people, greatly contributing to early Christianity's expansion.
Authorship of Epistles: Paul wrote several letters, or epistles, that became part of the New Testament. These include Romans, Corinthians (1 and 2), Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians (1 and 2), Timothy (1 and 2), Titus, and Philemon. These letters contain valuable theology, Christian living teachings, and practical guidance for the early churches.
Missionary Journeys: Paul embarked on several missionary journeys to spread the gospel. His journeys covered significant regions of the Roman Empire, including present-day Turkey, Greece, Cyprus, and others. Through his travels, he established new churches, nurtured existing ones, and proclaimed the message of Christ.
Theological Contributions: Paul's writings played a pivotal role in shaping Christian theology. His teachings on doctrines such as justification by faith, the role of grace, the body of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and the resurrection have profoundly influenced Christian thought throughout history.
Master Builder or Master Manipulator?
Today and throughout church history, individuals and groups have criticized or expressed concerns about certain aspects of Paul's teachings and their interpretation.
Judaizers: In the early years of the Church, some Jewish Christians, often referred to as Judaizers, held a strict adherence to Jewish laws and customs. They questioned Paul's teachings on the role of the Mosaic law and argued for the necessity of circumcision and following Jewish rituals as prerequisites for salvation.
Marcionites: In the 2nd century, Marcion, a prominent figure, presented a distinct theology that emphasized a radical separation between the Old and New Testaments. He rejected the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and regarded the God of the Old Testament as a different and inferior deity compared to the God revealed in Jesus Christ. While Marcion did not directly criticize Paul, his rejection of the Old Testament influenced how Paul's writings and the Old Testament were understood and used.
Pelagians: In the 5th century, Pelagius, a British monk, espoused a view that downplayed the doctrine of original sin and emphasized human free will and moral responsibility in salvation. Although Pelagius did not specifically target Paul, his teachings clashed with certain aspects of Paul's emphasis on the role of grace and the need for salvation through faith in Christ.
A Christianity Without an Apostle Paul
Paul's contributions were instrumental in shaping the early Christian movement, fostering inclusivity, expanding its reach, guiding theology, organizing communities, and contributing to the development of the Scriptures. His absence would have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the landscape of Christianity. Have you ever considered what the church would be like without Paul?
Gentile Inclusion: Paul's role in welcoming non-Jewish people (Gentiles) into the early Christian community was pivotal. Without him, the movement might have remained largely confined to Jewish communities, limiting its impact among Gentiles.
Theological Emphasis: Paul's profound theological contributions left a lasting mark on Christian doctrine. His writings explored essential topics like faith, grace, and the relationship between the law and salvation. Without his influence, the early Church might have taken different theological paths, leading to alternative understandings of salvation and shaping the core beliefs of Christianity.
Spread of Christianity: Paul's adventurous missionary journeys expanded Christianity far beyond its Jewish origins. Without Paul’s tireless efforts in establishing and nurturing churches, carrying the message of Christ across the vast Roman Empire. Without Paul, would Christianity have spread the way it did, or would it have remained a small subset of Judaism limited to Jerusalem and its surrounding areas?
Paul was indeed a master builder; however, while Paul played a significant role in shaping early Christianity, the faith itself is founded upon Jesus Christ and the teachings of the original apostles. The influence of other early Christian leaders, such as Peter, James, and John, would still have played a vital role in the growth and development of the Church in the absence of Paul. Returning to the text, we can see that regardless of whom God appoints to plant or water, God brings forth the increase and causes the Gospel to prosper wherever it goes!
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