1 Corinthians 3:5
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
Original Language Analysis
τίς
Who
G5101
τίς
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
1 of 19
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
4 of 19
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
τίς
Who
G5101
τίς
Who
Strong's:
G5101
Word #:
5 of 19
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
διάκονοι
ministers
G1249
διάκονοι
ministers
Strong's:
G1249
Word #:
10 of 19
an attendant, i.e., (genitive case) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specially, a christian teacher and pastor (technically, a deacon)
δι'
by
G1223
δι'
by
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
11 of 19
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
ὧν
whom
G3739
ὧν
whom
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
12 of 19
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐπιστεύσατε
ye believed
G4100
ἐπιστεύσατε
ye believed
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
13 of 19
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
καὶ
even
G2532
καὶ
even
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
14 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
16 of 19
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
2 Corinthians 6:4But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,2 Corinthians 6:1We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.1 Peter 4:10As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.2 Corinthians 3:6Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.1 Corinthians 3:10According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.2 Corinthians 11:23Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.2 Corinthians 4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.2 Corinthians 3:3Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.2 Corinthians 4:5For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.1 Corinthians 12:28And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Historical Context
Apollos was an Alexandrian Jew, 'eloquent' and 'mighty in the scriptures' (Acts 18:24), who ministered in Corinth after Paul's departure. His different style—refined rhetoric versus Paul's plain preaching—created factions. Paul's response demolishes such comparisons: both men were mere servants through whom the Lord worked. Neither deserved the cult following the Corinthians created.
Questions for Reflection
- Do you view pastors and teachers as 'servants through whom you believed' or as spiritual celebrities to be admired and followed?
- How does recognizing that 'the Lord gave' faith to each person prevent boasting in or about human ministers?
- What practical steps can you take to honor faithful teachers without creating the personality-driven factionalism Paul condemns?
Analysis & Commentary
Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed (διάκονοι, diakonoi, 'servants')—Paul demolishes the personality cults by reducing himself and Apollos to diakonoi, table-servers or errand-runners. This term denoted the lowest-ranking household servants, not honored leaders. Even as the Lord gave to every man (ὡς ὁ κύριος ἔδωκεν, hōs ho kyrios edōken)—both Paul's apostolic calling and the Corinthians' faith originated with Christ, not human achievement.
Ministers are merely instruments through whom (δι' ὧν, di' hōn) belief occurs, not sources of salvation or objects of loyalty. The passive voice 'ye believed' emphasizes that faith itself is God's gift, not the preacher's accomplishment. Paul consistently deflects glory from himself to Christ (2 Corinthians 4:5, 'we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord'). This theology of ministry undermines all triumphalism—preachers are dispensable servants; Christ is the indispensable Lord. The Reformation principle sola gratia (grace alone) extends to ministers: we contribute nothing but obedience to the assignment God graciously grants.