1 Corinthians 3:9 (ESV Strong's)
For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.
Subject: Service together to God
Paul is entering a significant area in his letter to this church at Corinth. He is about to introduce his need to correct them for some sin in there lives that is impacting the church. He has just told them that their jealousy and strife is a clear indication they are acting a "mere humans" and not as children of the King. In this paragraph he particularly calls them out for their swearing allegiance to him or to another teacher, Apollos. This immature act of loyalty to one over the other does not befit their actual calling in Christ. In the above verses Paul explains why. They are not to swear allegiance to him or Apollos or any teacher, who is under Christ. Their allegiance is to Christ, the Head of the Church. He doesn't separate himself (although, in the hierarchy of the church he could) from Apollos, claiming superior Apostle status. Instead he tells them that they are in this a fellow-workers, all under the work of God. We are God's field and God's building; separate metaphors, with equal meaning. Note what one commentator says about this passage:
(UBC-NTSet) They do not labor with God; they are God’s servants, and they labor with each other. Paul’s syntax emphasizes God and God’s priority in the tasks and the doing of ministry. The church is God’s field, God’s building, so that to claim allegiance to or status from one or another of God’s servants is nonsense. With the alteration of images—from field to building—Paul sets up the lines that follow.
I love the statement in this writers words: "They do not labor with God; they are God's servant, and they labor with each other." There are many teachers of God's Word who mistakenly teach we are co-workers with God in our salvation. This writer makes an important distinction. We labor with each other. But, we labor FOR God. He is the builder. He is the Creator; we are just the tools:
1 Peter 4:19 (ESV Strong's)
Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
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