Paul begins to teach and apply conclusions from what he has been saying. He begins to introduce a less divisive way in which the Corinthian Christian assembly can look at their different leaders. ‘Therefore, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? Servants, through whom you came to believe, and to each in the manner that the Lord is giving. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God causes increase. 7 So then, neither the planting nor the watering is anything, but the cause of increase – God. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose and they will each be given back to according to their own labour’ (I Corinthians 3 v 5 – 8). In effect Paul says, ‘Let’s get back to basics, to primary-school teaching suited to your childish level of understanding, and in doing so let’s define who Christian leaders are’. They are all servants. The Greek word refers to those who are ‘kicking up dust as they hurry about, running to pursue their duties’. The image is of servants hurrying to do their various duties, in the manner that the Lord has given to each. Thus, Paul planted, he announced the word of the cross of the Messiah, but Apollos watered – perhaps a reference to carrying out baptisms as well as nurturing growth. Different leaders have different duties. But also in light of what Paul has said earlier in his letter, there is a unity within this diversity in that it is God Who is the cause of increase or growth by means of His Breath. It is not the busyness and activity per se that causes the increase but God Who is the cause of increase. These different leaders with their different gifts, skills and roles, have one purpose – to be faithful servants hurrying in service to the Lord, and God will reward them in proportion to their individual work and labour.
So what is the conclusion in the light of these facts? Just who are these different and diverse Christian leaders? ‘Therefore we are fellow workers of God; you are God’s cultivation, God’s building. 10 According to the free gift of God continuing to be given to me, in the manner of a wise master builder I am setting the foundation in place, but another is building above and upon it’ (I Corinthians 3 v 9 – 10a). Therefore – here is the logical conclusion – Christian leaders like Paul and Apollos are co-labourers of God, working together with God. Since it is God Who is giving the increase, this means that Christians under their leadership are God’s cultivation and architecture. In practice this means that Paul, in agreement with the free gift of God that has been given to him, was setting a foundation in place as a busy servant. But another busy servant was building upon that foundation according to their gifts that had also been bestowed on them by God. Paul announced the word of the cross of the Messiah, and by means of the Breath some perceived and were persuaded. But other leaders, such as Apollos, baptised those who were persuaded to the point of obedience.
Christian 2 Christians 