1 Korintus 3:6-9

3:6 I planted, ¹  Apollos watered, but God caused it to grow. 3:7 So neither the one who plants counts for anything, ²  nor the one who waters, but God who causes the growth. 3:8 The one who plants and the one who waters work as one, ³  but each will receive his reward according to his work. 3:9 We are coworkers belonging to God. ⁴  You are God’s field, God’s building.

1 Korintus 9:7-11

9:7 Who ever serves in the army at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Who tends a flock and does not consume its milk? 9:8 Am I saying these things only on the basis of common sense, ⁵  or does the law not say this as well? 9:9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” ⁶  God is not concerned here about oxen, is he? 9:10 Or is he not surely speaking for our benefit? It was written for us, because the one plowing and threshing ought to work in hope of enjoying the harvest. 9:11 If we sowed spiritual blessings among you, is it too much to reap material things from you?

[3:6]  ¹ sn The expression I planted is generally taken to mean that Paul founded the church at Corinth. Later Apollos had a significant ministry there (watered). See also v. 10.

[3:7]  ² tn Grk “is anything.”

[3:8]  ³ tn Grk “are one.” The purpose of this phrase is to portray unified action on the part of ministers underneath God’s sovereign control. Although they are in fact individuals, they are used by God with a single purpose to accomplish his will in facilitating growth. This emphasis is brought out in the translation “work as one.”

[3:9]  ⁴ tn Although 1 Cor 3:9 is frequently understood to mean, “we are coworkers with God,” such a view assumes that the genitive θεοῦ (qeou) is associative because of its relationship to συνεργοί (sunergoi). However, not only is a genitive of association not required by the syntax (cf. ExSyn 130), but the context is decidedly against it: Paul and Apollos are insignificant compared to the God whom they serve (vv. 5-8).

[9:8]  ⁵ tn Or “only according to human authority”; Grk “saying these things according to men.”

[9:9]  ⁶ sn A quotation from Deut 25:4.