Partisanship is a manifestation of human wisdom. All the philosophical schools in Greece had their chief teachers. There was keen competition among these teachers, and there were strong preferences among the students as to who was the best. However this attitude is totally inappropriate when it comes to evaluating the servants of Christ. It is completely contrary to the mind of Christ who Himself stooped to raise others. [source][source][source]
"It is sinful for church members to compare pastors, or for believers to follow human leaders as disciples of men and not disciples of Jesus Christ. The "personality cults" in the church today are in direct disobedience to the Word of God. Only Jesus Christ should have the place of preeminence ( Colossians 1:18)." [1][source]
This section of verses makes it very clear that it is possible for genuine Christians to behave as and to appear to be unbelievers (cf. Matthew 13:24-30; Matthew 13:36-43). The Corinthians" conduct indicated carnality, not lack of eternal life. Prolonged immaturity as a result of carnality is a condition all too prevalent in modern Christianity. Often we mistake carnal Christians for natural men, unbelievers. [source][source][source][source]
Context Summary
1 Corinthians 3:1-9 - Prosperity Comes From God
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 3:4
For when one saith [οταν γαρ λεγηι τις] Indefinite temporal clause with the present subjunctive of repetition (Robertson, Grammar, p. 972). Each instance is a case in point and proof abundant of the strife. [source]
Of Paul [Παυλου] Predicate genitive, belong to Paul, on Paul‘s side. Of Apollos (Απολλω Apollō). Same genitive, but the form is the so-called Attic second declension. See the nominative Απολλως Apollōs in 1 Corinthians 3:5. Men Just mere human creatures (αντρωποι anthrōpoi generic term for mankind), in the flesh (σαρκινοι sarkinoi), acting like the flesh (σαρκικοι sarkikoi), not πνευματικοι pneumatikoi as if still πσυχικοι psuchikoi It was a home-thrust. Paul would not even defend his own partisans. [source]
Of Apollos [Απολλω] Same genitive, but the form is the so-called Attic second declension. See the nominative Απολλως Apollōs in 1 Corinthians 3:5. [source]
Men [αντρωποι] Just mere human creatures (αντρωποι anthrōpoi generic term for mankind), in the flesh (σαρκινοι sarkinoi), acting like the flesh (σαρκικοι sarkikoi), not πνευματικοι pneumatikoi as if still πσυχικοι psuchikoi It was a home-thrust. Paul would not even defend his own partisans. [source]
Another [ἕτερος] See on Matthew 6:24. Not merely another, numerically, but another of different affinities and prepossessions. [source]
Carnal [] The best texts read ἄνθρωποι menAre ye not mere men? [source]
But ministers [] Omit but, and place the interrogations after Paul and Apollos, respectively, as Rev. For ministers see on Matthew 20:26; see on Mark 9:35. Servants, not heads of parties. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 3:4
Acts 18:28Confuted [διακατηλεγχετο] Imperfect middle of the double compound verb διακατελεγχομαι diȧkaṫelegchomai to confute with rivalry in a contest, here alone. The old Greek has διελεγχω dielegchō to convict of falsehood, but not this double compound which means to argue down to a finish. It is the imperfect tense and does not mean that Apollos convinced these rabbis, but he had the last word. Publicly (δημοσιαι dēmosiāi). See note on Acts 5:18; and note on Acts 16:37. In open meeting where all could see the victory of Apollos. Shewing Present active participle of επιδεικνυμι epideiknumi old verb to set forth so that all see. By the Scriptures (δια των γραπων dia tōn graphōn). In which Apollos was so “mighty” (Acts 18:24) and the rabbis so weak for they knew the oral law better than the written (Mark 7:8-12). That Jesus was the Christ Infinitive and the accusative in indirect assertion. Apollos proclaims the same message that Paul did everywhere (Acts 17:3). He had not yet met Paul, but he had been instructed by Priscilla and Aquila. He is in Corinth building on the foundation laid so well by Paul (1 Corinthians 3:4-17). Luke has here made a brief digression from the story of Paul, but it helps us understand Paul better There are those who think that Apollos wrote Hebrews, a guess that may be correct. [source]
Acts 18:28Shewing [επιδεικνυς] Present active participle of επιδεικνυμι epideiknumi old verb to set forth so that all see. By the Scriptures (δια των γραπων dia tōn graphōn). In which Apollos was so “mighty” (Acts 18:24) and the rabbis so weak for they knew the oral law better than the written (Mark 7:8-12). That Jesus was the Christ Infinitive and the accusative in indirect assertion. Apollos proclaims the same message that Paul did everywhere (Acts 17:3). He had not yet met Paul, but he had been instructed by Priscilla and Aquila. He is in Corinth building on the foundation laid so well by Paul (1 Corinthians 3:4-17). Luke has here made a brief digression from the story of Paul, but it helps us understand Paul better There are those who think that Apollos wrote Hebrews, a guess that may be correct. [source]
Acts 18:28That Jesus was the Christ [ειναι τον Χριστον Ιησουν] Infinitive and the accusative in indirect assertion. Apollos proclaims the same message that Paul did everywhere (Acts 17:3). He had not yet met Paul, but he had been instructed by Priscilla and Aquila. He is in Corinth building on the foundation laid so well by Paul (1 Corinthians 3:4-17). Luke has here made a brief digression from the story of Paul, but it helps us understand Paul better There are those who think that Apollos wrote Hebrews, a guess that may be correct. [source]
2 Corinthians 1:14As also ye did acknowledge us in part [κατως και επεγνωτε ημας απο μερους] Gracious acknowledgment (second aorist active indicative of επιγνωσκω epignōskō) to the original Pauline party (1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 3:4) that he had seemed to care so little for them. And now in his hour of victory he shows that, if he is their ground of glorying, they are his also (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:19.; Philemon 2:16).sa120 [source]
What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 3:4 mean?
Whenformight sayoneIindeedamof Paulanotherhoweverof Apollosnotfleshlyare you
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: Παῦλος
Sense: Paul was the most famous of the apostles and wrote a good part of the NT, the 4 Pauline epistles.
Parse: Noun, Genitive 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 3:4
Indefinite temporal clause with the present subjunctive of repetition (Robertson, Grammar, p. 972). Each instance is a case in point and proof abundant of the strife. [source]
Predicate genitive, belong to Paul, on Paul‘s side. Of Apollos (Απολλω Apollō). Same genitive, but the form is the so-called Attic second declension. See the nominative Απολλως Apollōs in 1 Corinthians 3:5. Men Just mere human creatures (αντρωποι anthrōpoi generic term for mankind), in the flesh (σαρκινοι sarkinoi), acting like the flesh (σαρκικοι sarkikoi), not πνευματικοι pneumatikoi as if still πσυχικοι psuchikoi It was a home-thrust. Paul would not even defend his own partisans. [source]
Same genitive, but the form is the so-called Attic second declension. See the nominative Απολλως Apollōs in 1 Corinthians 3:5. [source]
Just mere human creatures (αντρωποι anthrōpoi generic term for mankind), in the flesh (σαρκινοι sarkinoi), acting like the flesh (σαρκικοι sarkikoi), not πνευματικοι pneumatikoi as if still πσυχικοι psuchikoi It was a home-thrust. Paul would not even defend his own partisans. [source]
See on Matthew 6:24. Not merely another, numerically, but another of different affinities and prepossessions. [source]
The best texts read ἄνθρωποι menAre ye not mere men? [source]
Omit but, and place the interrogations after Paul and Apollos, respectively, as Rev. For ministers see on Matthew 20:26; see on Mark 9:35. Servants, not heads of parties. [source]
Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 3:4
Imperfect middle of the double compound verb διακατελεγχομαι diȧkaṫelegchomai to confute with rivalry in a contest, here alone. The old Greek has διελεγχω dielegchō to convict of falsehood, but not this double compound which means to argue down to a finish. It is the imperfect tense and does not mean that Apollos convinced these rabbis, but he had the last word. Publicly (δημοσιαι dēmosiāi). See note on Acts 5:18; and note on Acts 16:37. In open meeting where all could see the victory of Apollos. Shewing Present active participle of επιδεικνυμι epideiknumi old verb to set forth so that all see. By the Scriptures (δια των γραπων dia tōn graphōn). In which Apollos was so “mighty” (Acts 18:24) and the rabbis so weak for they knew the oral law better than the written (Mark 7:8-12). That Jesus was the Christ Infinitive and the accusative in indirect assertion. Apollos proclaims the same message that Paul did everywhere (Acts 17:3). He had not yet met Paul, but he had been instructed by Priscilla and Aquila. He is in Corinth building on the foundation laid so well by Paul (1 Corinthians 3:4-17). Luke has here made a brief digression from the story of Paul, but it helps us understand Paul better There are those who think that Apollos wrote Hebrews, a guess that may be correct. [source]
Present active participle of επιδεικνυμι epideiknumi old verb to set forth so that all see. By the Scriptures (δια των γραπων dia tōn graphōn). In which Apollos was so “mighty” (Acts 18:24) and the rabbis so weak for they knew the oral law better than the written (Mark 7:8-12). That Jesus was the Christ Infinitive and the accusative in indirect assertion. Apollos proclaims the same message that Paul did everywhere (Acts 17:3). He had not yet met Paul, but he had been instructed by Priscilla and Aquila. He is in Corinth building on the foundation laid so well by Paul (1 Corinthians 3:4-17). Luke has here made a brief digression from the story of Paul, but it helps us understand Paul better There are those who think that Apollos wrote Hebrews, a guess that may be correct. [source]
Infinitive and the accusative in indirect assertion. Apollos proclaims the same message that Paul did everywhere (Acts 17:3). He had not yet met Paul, but he had been instructed by Priscilla and Aquila. He is in Corinth building on the foundation laid so well by Paul (1 Corinthians 3:4-17). Luke has here made a brief digression from the story of Paul, but it helps us understand Paul better There are those who think that Apollos wrote Hebrews, a guess that may be correct. [source]
Gracious acknowledgment (second aorist active indicative of επιγνωσκω epignōskō) to the original Pauline party (1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Corinthians 3:4) that he had seemed to care so little for them. And now in his hour of victory he shows that, if he is their ground of glorying, they are his also (cf. 1 Thessalonians 2:19.; Philemon 2:16).sa120 [source]