1 Corinthians 3:4
What does 1 Corinthians 3:4 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 3:4 means
Their party slogans—“I am of Paul” and “I am of Apollos”—expose their worldly mindset. They have turned faithful servants into tribal banners. Paul’s question, “are ye not men?” prods them to see that such boasting merely imitates the culture’s factionalism. True spirituality does not elevate messengers above the message or the Master. This verse shows how easily admiration becomes idolatry when the heart seeks identity in human leaders. The problem is not Paul or Apollos, but the Corinthian misuse of them. By clinging to names, they divide Christ’s body and obscure the source of their faith. Paul means to unhook their loyalties from men and anchor them in God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For when one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not men?
KJV
King James Version · 1611For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For when one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not men?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For when one says, I am of Paul; and another says, I am of Apollos; are you not talking like natural men?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for when one may say, `I, indeed, am of Paul;' and another, `I--of Apollos;' are ye not fleshly?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For while one saith: I indeed am of Paul: and another: I am of Apollo: are you not men? What then is Apollo and what is Paul?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For when one says, I am of Paul, and another, I of Apollos, are ye not men?
Context
Having pointed to jealousy and strife as signs of carnality, Paul cites their leader-centered slogans as a vivid case in point. Verse 4 bridges the diagnosis with the correction that follows. Next, in verses 5–9, he will redefine Paul and Apollos: not rival chiefs, but servants with complementary roles under God. The flow moves from exposing the folly of boasting in men to exalting God as the one who gives growth. This shift prepares for the building metaphor that will warn both leaders and members about how they labor on the only true foundation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 1 Corinthians 4:6
Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.
- 1 Corinthians 3:3
for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men?
- 1 Corinthians 1:12
Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
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