1 Corinthians 3:8
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
φυτεύων
he that planteth
G5452
φυτεύων
he that planteth
Strong's:
G5452
Word #:
2 of 18
to set out in the earth, i.e., implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἴδιον
his own
G2398
ἴδιον
his own
Strong's:
G2398
Word #:
12 of 18
pertaining to self, i.e., one's own; by implication, private or separate
μισθὸν
reward
G3408
μισθὸν
reward
Strong's:
G3408
Word #:
13 of 18
pay for service (literally or figuratively), good or bad
λήψεται
shall receive
G2983
λήψεται
shall receive
Strong's:
G2983
Word #:
14 of 18
while g0138 is more violent, to seize or remove))
κατὰ
according
G2596
κατὰ
according
Strong's:
G2596
Word #:
15 of 18
(prepositionally) down (in place or time), in varied relations (according to the case (genitive, dative or accusative) with which it is joined)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
16 of 18
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Romans 2:6Who will render to every man according to his deeds:Matthew 16:27For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.2 John 1:8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.Revelation 22:12And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.Psalms 62:12Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.1 Corinthians 15:58Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.1 Peter 5:4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.Hebrews 6:10For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.1 Corinthians 3:14If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.Galatians 6:4But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
Historical Context
The Greek concept of misthos (reward/wage) permeated ancient labor culture—daily wages for vineyard workers (Matthew 20), payment for services rendered. Paul baptizes this economic imagery into theology: God is a just employer who compensates faithful service. Yet the reward structure differs from human economies—it's based on faithfulness and effort, not talent or success, since outcomes belong to God alone.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing that all faithful laborers are 'one' prevent the jealousy and competition that plagued Corinth?
- What motivation does the promise of personal reward provide for exhausting, often unrecognized service in God's kingdom?
- How can you labor 'according to your own labor' without falling into works-righteousness or comparing your fruitfulness to others'?
Analysis & Commentary
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one (ἕν εἰσιν, hen eisin)—having demolished partisan hierarchies (planters vs. waterers), Paul asserts their essential unity. Hen (neuter 'one thing') emphasizes shared purpose, not identical function. They collaborate in God's single project. And every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour (μισθὸν κατὰ τὸν ἴδιον κόπον, misthon kata ton idion kopon)—misthos denotes wage or recompense; kopos describes exhausting toil.
Paul introduces individual accountability alongside corporate unity. Though planters and waterers are 'one' in mission, each answers personally to God for his stewardship. This is not salvation by works (which Paul vehemently rejects in Romans and Galatians) but judgment of works—the bēma seat evaluation where believers' service is tested (verse 13, 2 Corinthians 5:10). Rewards correlate with faithful labor, not results, since only God produces increase (verse 7). This safeguards against both laziness (no accountability) and rivalry (comparing results rather than obedience). We labor strenuously (kopos implies struggle), yet rest in God's sovereign distribution of harvest.