Before we start on the gifts, remember we are just co-workers with God.
When Paul wrote to the Corinthians in this chapter, he wanted to clarify something which was unclear to them. Knowing that they were not spiritually mature, he addressed them about the kind of audience they were and referred to them as plants. He further explained that each and every one played his own role without interfering with one another. Three characters were mentioned, Paul, Apollos and God, the main character.For the plants to exist, there must be someone to prepare the soil. That was done by Paul who said that the Corinthians were washed, sanctified in the name of Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit (1Cor6:11). They were well prepared.
After that, they were supposed to be doing things differently from the way they were. This is a common problem which we have in the church today: People still live the life of this world. Some of the things done by Corinthians were those that happened weeks ago because among people who were involved in xenophobia attacks, killing of women and children and rape, were Christians.
After Paul did the basic job of planting, he left Apollos to do the watering, which means good news had never stopped being proclaimed. He was a means carrying on the building up the souls in faith and holiness and making them fruitful in every good work.
But, above all, there is someone whom they cannot do anything without, hence a "but" has been used. The involvement of God is always necessary. Paul used a strange conjunction "but" instead of "and." To use "but" he showed that the work done was not going to be complete without God. If he used "and" it would mean God is any other ordinary person among them but the fact that this "but" is used, he's not like any ordinary person.
Though each of them had his own duties according to the passage, we must remember that we are just co-workers with God. Co-workers means working closely with God. But God gives the increase. There is nothing we can do on our own. Whatever we do, we partner with God as Christians. He is the one who completes us. In this case, Paul and Apollos were not able to make the plants to spring up or increase the perfection. Our duty is to plant and water, cast the seed of the word, preach the Gospel, but all the success is from the Man above. It is He who only causes what we've done, to spring up and grow. It is he who gives it its increase, spreading, fructifying virtue and efficacy, because we are just co-workers with him.
| I planted the seed, Apollo's watered it, but God made it grow. (1Corinthians3:6 ) |
(I am Bongiwe Ngebulana. I'm single, a mother of one beautiful daughter and a granny to a handsome boy. I also have 2 adoptees, both girls. I like walking every morning, playing netball, cooking and to be around kids or elderly people. I am currently not charged, but an interim Moderator at St Paul, Alberton in Highveld.)
