1 Corinthians 3:9
For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building.
For we are God’s fellow workers
The phrase "God’s fellow workers" is derived from the Greek word "synergoi," which means co-laborers or collaborators. This term emphasizes the partnership between God and His servants in the work of the Gospel. Historically, this reflects the early Christian understanding that their mission was a divine collaboration, not merely human effort. The apostles, including Paul, saw themselves as instruments through which God worked to build His church. This partnership is inspirational, reminding believers that their labor in the Lord is not in vain, as they are part of a divine plan and purpose.

you are God’s field
The metaphor of "God’s field" draws from agricultural imagery common in the ancient world, where fields were cultivated for growth and harvest. In the Greek, the word "georgion" is used, which directly translates to a cultivated field. This imagery suggests that the Corinthian believers are the soil in which God plants His seeds of truth, expecting growth and fruitfulness. It highlights the nurturing role of God and His workers in tending to the spiritual development of the church. This metaphor encourages believers to be receptive to God’s word and to allow it to take root and flourish in their lives.

God’s building
The term "building" comes from the Greek "oikodome," which refers to a structure or edifice. This metaphor shifts from agriculture to architecture, illustrating the church as a spiritual structure being built by God. In the historical context, this reflects the idea of the church as a temple of the Holy Spirit, a concept Paul elaborates on in other parts of his letters. The imagery of a building suggests stability, strength, and purpose, with Christ as the foundation. This encourages believers to see themselves as integral parts of a larger, divine construction, each contributing to the strength and beauty of the whole. It is a call to unity and cooperation in the spiritual edification of the church community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth, emphasizing unity and spiritual growth.

2. Corinthian Church
The recipients of the letter, a diverse and often divided group of believers in the city of Corinth.

3. God
The ultimate authority and owner of the field and building, representing the church and its members.

4. Fellow Workers
Refers to Paul, Apollos, and other leaders who labor in spreading the Gospel and nurturing the church.

5. Field and Building
Metaphors used by Paul to describe the church, emphasizing growth and structure.
Teaching Points
Unity in Christ's Work
As fellow workers, believers are called to work together in harmony, recognizing that each person has a role in God's plan.

Spiritual Growth and Maturity
The metaphor of a field suggests ongoing growth and cultivation. Believers should seek spiritual maturity through study, prayer, and fellowship.

The Church as God's Dwelling
The church is not just a building but a community of believers where God dwells. This calls for reverence and commitment to holiness.

Stewardship of God's Resources
As God's field and building, believers are entrusted with the responsibility to nurture and care for the church and its mission.

Partnership with God
Being God's fellow workers implies a partnership with Him, requiring obedience, faithfulness, and reliance on His strength.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding that we are "God’s fellow workers" influence your perspective on your role in your local church?

2. In what ways can you contribute to the growth and maturity of your church community, considering the metaphor of being "God’s field"?

3. Reflect on the idea of the church as "God’s building." How does this shape your view of church unity and purpose?

4. How can the metaphors of field and building help you understand your personal spiritual growth and development?

5. Considering the connection to Ephesians 2:19-22, how can you actively participate in building a community that reflects God's presence?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Ephesians 2:19-22
This passage also uses the metaphor of a building, describing believers as being built together into a dwelling place for God.

1 Peter 2:5
Peter describes believers as living stones being built into a spiritual house, highlighting the communal and spiritual nature of the church.

John 15:1-8
Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches, emphasizing the importance of remaining in Him for spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
Character Built Bit by BitA. Maclaren, D. D.1 Corinthians 3:9
Co-Operation with GodJ. R. Diggle, M. A.1 Corinthians 3:9
God, a HusbandmanD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 3:9
God's BuildingJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 3:9
God's BuildingT. Raffles, D. D.1 Corinthians 3:9
God's BuildingW. Birch.1 Corinthians 3:9
God's BuildingA. Burgess.1 Corinthians 3:9
God's Co-LabourersH. W. Beecher.1 Corinthians 3:9
God's Fellow WorkersJ.R. Thomson 1 Corinthians 3:9
God's Fellow-WorkersAlexander Maclaren1 Corinthians 3:9
God's HusbandryH. W. Beecher.1 Corinthians 3:9
God's HusbandryE. Blencowe, M. A.1 Corinthians 3:9
God's HusbandryA. Burgess.1 Corinthians 3:9
God's HusbandryJ. Waite 1 Corinthians 3:9
God's Husbandry and BuildingPrincipal Edwards.1 Corinthians 3:9
Labourers Together with GodT. M. Herbert, M. A.1 Corinthians 3:9
Labourers Together with GodT. Dale, M. A.1 Corinthians 3:9
Man a Worker with GodBishop Janes.1 Corinthians 3:9
Sanctified for ServiceJohn Percival1 Corinthians 3:9
Self-CreationA. A. Livermore, D. D.1 Corinthians 3:9
Soul MasonryD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 3:9
The Church a BuildingPhilip Henry.1 Corinthians 3:9
The Church God's BuildingHomilist1 Corinthians 3:9
The Church God's BuildingBp. Woodford.1 Corinthians 3:9
The Spiritual TempleJ. Leifchild, D. D.1 Corinthians 3:9
The Union of Divine and Human Agency in the Kingdom of ChristS. Brawn.1 Corinthians 3:9
The Work of Man and the Work of GodDean Vaughan.1 Corinthians 3:9
Workers Together with GodA. Burgess.1 Corinthians 3:9
Working Together with GodR. Moffett.1 Corinthians 3:9
Christian Teachers and Their WorkH. Bremner 1 Corinthians 3:1-9
CarnalityT. Binney.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
ContentionsA. Burgess.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
DiscordA. Burgess.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
EnvyingA. Burgess.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
Incapacity in HearersA. Burgess.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
Milk for BabesA. Burgess.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
Prod an Example to Christian MinistersJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
Reflections for ChurchesD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
StF. W. Robertson, M. A.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
The Comparative Carnality of ChristiansJ. Leifchild, D. D.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
The Distinction Between Milk and MeatC. Hodge, D. D.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
The Doctrines of the Gospel the Food of ChristiansN. Emmons, D. D.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
The Ministerial OnceC. Hodge, D. D.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
The Remains of Corruption in the RegenerateA. Burgess.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
Walking as MenA. Burgess.1 Corinthians 3:1-12
St. Paul's View of the MinistryC. Lipscomb 1 Corinthians 3:5-10
Foundations and BuildingsR. Tuck 1 Corinthians 3:9-12
People
Apollos, Cephas, Corinthians, Paul, Peter
Places
Corinth
Topics
Apollos, Building, Farming, Fellow, Fellow-workers, Fellow-workmen, Field, God's, Husbandry, Laborers, Labourers, Planting, Simply, Tillage, Workers
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 3:9

     3254   Holy Spirit, fruit of
     5205   alliance
     5630   work, divine and human
     7027   church, purpose

1 Corinthians 3:5-9

     4510   sowing and reaping

1 Corinthians 3:5-10

     5109   Paul, apostle

1 Corinthians 3:9-11

     5478   property, houses

1 Corinthians 3:9-15

     5240   building

Library
Twenty-Third Day. Holiness and the Body.
The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. The body is for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you; therefore glorify God in your body.'--1 Cor. iii. 16, vi. 13, 19. 'She that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and spirit.'--1 Cor. vii. 34. 'Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God.'--Rom. xii. 1. Coming into the world, our Blessed
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

November the Ninth the Holy Spirit as Emancipator
2 CORINTHIANS iii. 4-18. In the Holy Spirit I experience a large emancipation. "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." I am delivered from all enslaving bondage--from the bondage of literalism, and legalism, and ritualism. I am not hampered by excessive harness, by multitudinous rules. The harness is fitting and congenial, and I have freedom of movement, and "my yoke is easy and my burden is light." And I am to use my emancipation of spirit in the ministry of contemplation. I am to
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Temples of God
'Know ye not that ye are the temple of God?'--1 COR. iii. 16 The great purpose of Christianity is to make men like Jesus Christ. As He is the image of the invisible God we are to be the images of the unseen Christ. The Scripture is very bold and emphatic in attributing to Christ's followers likeness to Him, in nature, in character, in relation to the world, in office, and in ultimate destiny. Is He the anointed of God? We are anointed--Christs in Him. Is He the Son of God? We in Him receive the
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

God's Fellow-Workers
'Labourers together with God.'--1 COR. iii. 9. The characteristic Greek tendency to factions was threatening to rend the Corinthian Church, and each faction was swearing by a favourite teacher. Paul and his companion, Apollos, had been taken as the figureheads of two of these parties, and so he sets himself in the context, first of all to show that neither of the two was of any real importance in regard to the Church's life. They were like a couple of gardeners, one of whom did the planting, and
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Death, the Friend
'... All things are yours ... death.'--1 COR. iii. 21, 22. What Jesus Christ is to a man settles what everything else is to Him. Our relation to Jesus determines our relation to the universe. If we belong to Him, everything belongs to us. If we are His servants, all things are our servants. The household of Jesus, which is the whole Creation, is not divided against itself, and the fellow-servants do not beat one another. Two bodies moving in the same direction, and under the impulse of the same
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Servants and Lords
'All things are yours; 22. Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23. And ye are Christ's.'--1 COR. iii. 21-23. The Corinthian Christians seem to have carried into the Church some of the worst vices of Greek--and English--political life. They were split up into wrangling factions, each swearing by the name of some person. Paul was the battle-cry of one set; Apollos of another. Paul and Apollos were very good friends,
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Sanctified for Service.
"We are labourers together with God; ye are God's husbandry; ye are God's building."--1 COR. iii. 9. In this passage St. Paul is rebuking the Corinthians for that spirit of party which was dividing them into followers of this or that teacher and so destroying their unity in Christ. You do not belong, he says, to Paul or to Apollos; we have no claim upon you; ye are not to be called by our name: you are God's husbandry, and God's building, not ours; we are but labourers in His service and
John Percival—Sermons at Rugby

On the Wisdom of this World
"The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God."--I Cor. iii. 19. It is remarkable that about the time of our Saviour's coming into the world all kinds of learning flourished to a very great degree, insomuch that nothing is more frequent in the mouths of many men, even such who pretend to read and to know, than an extravagant praise and opinion of the wisdom and virtue of the Gentile sages of those days, and likewise of those ancient philosophers who went before them, whose doctrines are left
Jonathan Swift—Three Sermons, Three Prayers

On the Interpretation of Scripture
IT is a strange, though familiar fact, that great differences of opinion exist respecting the Interpretation of Scripture. All Christians receive the Old and New Testament as sacred writings, but they are not agreed about the meaning which they attribute to them. The book itself remains as at the first; the commentators seem rather to reflect the changing atmosphere of the world or of the Church. Different individuals or bodies of Christians have a different point of view, to which their interpretation
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

The Existence of Merit
1. HERETICAL ERRORS AND THE TEACHING OF THE CHURCH.--a) The medieval Beguins and Beghards held that man is able to attain such a perfect state of holiness here below as no longer to require an increase of grace or good works.(1226) Luther, holding that justification consists in the covering up of sin and the external imputation of the justice of Christ, consistently though falsely asserted that "the just man sins in every good work,"(1227) that "a good work, no matter how well performed, is a venial
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

The Objects of Merit
After defining the existence of merit the Tridentine Council enumerates its objects as follows: "If anyone saith that the justified, by the good works which he performs, ... does not truly merit increase of grace, eternal life, and the attainment of that eternal life,--if it be so, however, that he depart in grace,--and also an increase of glory: let him be anathema."(1320) Hence merit calls for a threefold reward: (1) an increase of sanctifying grace; (2) heavenly glory; and (3) an increase of that
Joseph Pohle—Grace, Actual and Habitual

The Christian Church
Scriptures references: 1 Corinthians 3:11; 3:6-9; Colossians 1:18; Acts 2:47; Ephesians 5:23-27; Matthew 16:16,18; 18:17; Acts 5:11,12; 13:1,2; 14:23; 16:5; 1 Corinthians 11:18-34; 12:28-31; 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:14; 1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 12:22,23; Revelation 1:4,11,20; 2:7,11; 22:16; 22:12-15,17. THE FOUNDATION OF THE CHURCH What is the Christian Church?--One of the best definitions is as follows: "The church consists of all who acknowledge the Divine Lord, Jesus Christ, the blessed Saviour
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Carnal Christians.
1 Corinthians 3:1.--And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal. The apostle here speaks of two stages of the Christian life, two types of Christians: "I could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ." They were Christians, in Christ, but instead of being spiritual Christians, they were carnal. "I have fed you with milk, and not with meat, for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet are ye able, for ye are
Andrew Murray—The Master's Indwelling

The Indwelling Spirit Fully and Forever Satisfying.
The Holy Spirit takes up His abode in the one who is born of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul says to the believers in Corinth in 1 Cor. iii. 16, R. V., "Know ye not that ye are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" This passage refers, not so much to the individual believer, as to the whole body of believers, the Church. The Church as a body is indwelt by the Spirit of God. But in 1 Cor. vi. 19, R. V., we read, "Know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Ghost which is
R. A. Torrey—The Person and Work of The Holy Spirit

Dedicatory Letter.
To the respected and worthy NICOLAUS VON AMSDORF, Licentiate in the Holy Scriptures and Canon of Wittenberg, [14] My particular and affectionate friend. Dr. MARTIN LUTHER. The Grace and Peace of God be with you! Respected, worthy Sir and dear friend. The time for silence is gone and the time to speak has come, as we read in Ecclesiastes (iii. 7.) I have in conformity with our resolve put together some few points concerning the Reformation of the Christian Estate, with the intent of placing the same
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Alcuin on True Missionary Labours.
THE cause of the first failure of the mission amongst the Saxons, may serve as a lesson and a warning to all times. It was this: that they sought to introduce from without what can only be effected from within; that worldly aims were blended with the diffusion of Christianity; that men did not follow the example of the Apostle Paul, who, in preaching the Gospel, allowed the Jews to remain Jews, and the Greeks, Greeks, and knew how to become to the Jews as a Jew, and to the Greeks as a Greek. The
Augustus Neander—Light in the Dark Places

Certain it Is, Albeit all this Disputation Go from Side to Side...
38. Certain it is, albeit all this disputation go from side to side, some asserting that it is never right to lie, and to this effect reciting divine testimonies: others gainsaying, and even in the midst of the very words of the divine testimonies seeking place for a lie; yet no man can say, that he finds this either in example or in word of the Scriptures, that any lie should seem a thing to be loved, or not had in hatred; howbeit sometimes by telling a lie thou must do that thou hatest, that what
St. Augustine—On Lying

It Follows after Commendation of the Trinity, "The Holy Church. ...
14. It follows after commendation of the Trinity, "The Holy Church." God is pointed out, and His temple. "For the temple of God is holy," says the Apostle, "which (temple) are ye." [1801] This same is the holy Church, the one Church, the true Church, the catholic Church, fighting against all heresies: fight, it can: be fought down, it cannot. As for heresies, they went all out of it, like as unprofitable branches pruned from the vine: but itself abideth in its root, in its Vine, in its charity. "The
St. Augustine—On the Creeds

Now it Has Been My Wish on this Account to Say Something on This...
22. Now it has been my wish on this account to say something on this subject, by reason of certain of our brethren most friendly and dear to us, and without willful guilt indeed entangled in this error, but yet entangled; who think, that, when they exhort any to righteousness and piety, their exhortation will not have force, unless the whole of that, wherein they would work upon man that man should work, they set in the power of man, not helped by the grace of God, but put forth by the alone choice
St. Augustine—On the Good of Widowhood.

Homilies on the Statues.
Abel, beloved of God, yet slain, [466]342; more blessed in his death than Cain, [467]374; died the first to instruct Adam, [468]414; his sacrifice good, [469]422. Abraham, rich but not covetous: entertaining angels, [470]349; tent of, stronger than Sodom, [471]456. Absolution, [472]356; at the altar, [473]443. Accused at Antioch, tortured, [474]474. Acrobats, [475]470. Actions, few, for their own sake, [476]379; end of, [477]459, n.; the proof of philosophy, [478]465. Adam, fell when idle, [479]353,
St. Chrysostom—On the Priesthood

Epistle Xlvi. To Isacius, Bishop of Jerusalem .
To Isacius, Bishop of Jerusalem [159] . Gregory to Isacius, &c. In keeping with the truth of history, what means the fact that at the time of the flood the human race outside the ark dies, but within the ark is preserved unto life, but what we see plainly now, namely that all the unfaithful perish under the wave of their sin, while the unity of holy Church, like the compactness of the ark, keeps her faithful ones in faith and in charity? And this ark in truth is compacted of incorruptible timber,
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

Epistle Xlix. To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch .
To Anastasius, Bishop of Antioch [35] . Gregory to Anastasius, &c. I received the letters of thy Fraternity, rightly holding fast the profession of the faith; and I returned great thanks to Almighty God, who, when the shepherds of His flock are changed, still, even after such change, guards the faith which He once delivered to the holy Fathers. Now the excellent preacher says, Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus (1 Cor. iii. 2). Whosoever, then, with love of
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

How the Wise and the Dull are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 7). Differently to be admonished are the wise of this world and the dull. For the wise are to be admonished that they leave off knowing what they know: the dull also are to be admonished that they seek to know what they know not. In the former this thing first, that they think themselves wise, is to be thrown down; in the latter whatsoever is already known of heavenly wisdom is to be built up; since, being in no wise proud, they have, as it were, prepared their hearts for supporting
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

First Sunday in Lent
Text: Second Corinthians 6, 1-10. 1 And working together with him we entreat also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain 2 (for he saith, At an acceptable time I hearkened unto thee, and in a day of salvation did I succor thee: behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation): 3 giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministration be not blamed; 4 but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities,
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

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