1 Corinthians 3:8

In comparison with God, Ap. and P. are simply nothing (1 Corinthians 3:7): in relation to each other they are not rivals, as their Cor [516] favourers would make them (1 Corinthians 3:4): “But the planter and the waterer are one” (ἕν, one thing) with one interest and aim, viz., the growth of the Church; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12; 1 Corinthians 12:20; also John 10:30. Their functions are complementary, not competitive: a further answer to the question, τί οὖν ἐστὶν Ἀπολλώς κ. τ. λ.; The servants of God are nothing before Him, “one thing” before His Church: vanity and variance are alike impossible.

[516] Corinth, Corinthian or Corinthians.

While one in aim, they are distinct in responsibility and reward: “But each will get his own (proper) wage, according to his own toil”. ἴδιος, appropriate, specific (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:7; 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Corinthians 15:28): “congruens iteratio, antitheton ad unum ” (Bg [517]). ἔργον (1 Corinthians 3:13-15) denotes the work achieved, κόπος the exertion put forth (see parls., and κοπιάω, 1 Corinthians 15:10, etc.): τί γὰρ εἰ ἔργον οὐκ ἐτέλεσεν; ἐκοπίασεν δέ (Thp [518]). The contrast ἕν εἰσιν … ἕκαστος δέ, between collective and individual relationships, is characteristic of Paul: cf. 1 Corinthians 12:5-11; 1 Corinthians 12:27; 1 Corinthians 15:10 f., Galatians 6:2-5; Romans 14:7-10. He forbids the man either to assert himself against the community or to merge himself in it. The fixed ratio between present labour in Christ's service and final reward is set forth, diff [519] but consistently, in the two parables of the Talents and Pounds, Matthew 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-28.

[517] Bengel's Gnomon Novi Testamenti.

[518] Theophylact, Greek Commentator.

[519] difference, different, differently.