What does it mean when some said, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos?

When people said, “I am of Paul” or “I am of Apollos,” they were forming groups around their favorite teacher. Some liked Paul, likely because he first brought the gospel to them. Others preferred Apollos, who was gifted in speaking and later helped build them up. Instead of seeing these men as servants working together, they treated them like rival leaders. Paul calls this carnal, or fleshly, because it shows pride, jealousy, and a focus on people instead of on Christ.

Why does Paul call the Corinthians carnal in this passage?

Paul calls them carnal because their behavior shows they are still ruled by human pride and feelings instead of by the Spirit. Their arguing over human leaders, and forming parties around Paul or Apollos, shows they are acting like ordinary people who do not understand the deeper ways of God. They are not new believers, yet they are still stuck on outward things, like which preacher they prefer, instead of growing in love, humility, and unity. This proves they are spiritually immature and need to grow up in faith.

Who are Paul and Apollos in this passage, and what were their roles?

Paul and Apollos are both servants of Christ who worked among the believers in Corinth. Paul was the first to preach the gospel there, so he “planted” by laying the foundation of faith and starting the church. Apollos came after Paul and “watered” by teaching, encouraging, and building up the believers. Each had different gifts and work, but both were only instruments in God’s hand. They were not lords over the people, but ministers through whom people came to believe in Christ.

Why does Paul say that neither he that planteth nor he that watereth is anything?

Paul says this to keep people from putting ministers on a pedestal. He does not mean that preachers are useless or that their work does not matter. He means that, compared to God’s power, they are nothing in themselves. All their gifts, strength, and success come from God. They cannot make anyone believe or grow by their own ability. So they should not be treated as heroes, and they themselves should not boast. All honor belongs to God, who gives the increase through their planting and watering.

What does this passage teach about how we should view pastors and teachers today?

This passage teaches that pastors and teachers are servants, not masters. They are instruments God uses to bring people to faith and to help them grow, but they are not the source of life or power. We should respect and listen to them, but we should not divide over them or treat one as if he were our personal leader against others. Our deepest loyalty belongs to Christ, not to any human. When we remember that God gives the increase, it keeps us humble and helps churches stay united.

What was happening in the church when Paul wrote these words?

The church in Corinth was marked by envy, strife, and division. Different groups were lining up behind different leaders, saying they belonged to Paul, Apollos, or others. This created rivalry and broke the unity that should mark followers of Christ. Instead of seeing all faithful ministers as working together for the same Lord, they were acting like people in the world who pick their favorite speaker or leader and then look down on the rest. Paul writes to correct this and call them back to spiritual maturity.

How does God giving the increase show His character in this passage?

God giving the increase shows that He is the true source of spiritual life and growth. He kindly uses weak human servants, but He keeps the power in His own hands. This shows His grace, because faith itself is His gift, not something we produce. It shows His wisdom, as He gives different gifts to different ministers and uses them in different ways. It also shows His goodness, because He continues to grow and sustain His people, even when they are acting immature and divided.

1Cor.3.4

1 Corinthians 3:4

Q: What does I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase mean?

The picture is taken from farming. Paul says he “planted” like a farmer putting seed in the ground, meaning he first preached the good news and started the church. Apollos “watered,” meaning his teaching helped the believers grow and be strengthened. But neither Paul nor Apollos had the power to give spiritual life or make faith grow. Only God can do that. “God gave the increase” means that every real change of heart, every bit of growth in faith and holiness, comes from God’s power, not from human skill.

KJV

For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

God’s Fellow Workers

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

Cross References

No cross references available for this verse.