1 Corinthians 3:9
What does 1 Corinthians 3:9 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 3:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 3:9 means
Paul summarizes: “we are God’s fellow-workers,” and the church is “God’s husbandry, God’s building.” Ministers labor with one another under God; the people belong wholly to God. The phrase does not mean God needs helpers, but that He graciously involves servants in His work. The double image—field and building—highlights both growth and structure. The ownership tag “God’s” repeated three times emphasizes whose work, field, and house this is. This verse re-centers identity: the church is not Paul’s or Apollos’s; it is God’s. Therefore, ministry methods and aims must be aligned to Him. It is a call to reverent stewardship and a rebuke to party spirit.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000For we are God’s fellow-workers: ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building.
KJV
King James Version · 1611For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901For we are God’s fellow-workers: ye are God’s husbandry, God’s building.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949For we are workers with God: you are God's planting, God's building.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862for of God we are fellow-workmen; God's tillage, God's building ye are.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752For we are God's coadjutors. You are God's husbandry: you are God's building.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890For we areGod's fellow-workmen; ye areGod's husbandry,God's building.
Context
Having established unity and reward, Paul now grounds everything in divine ownership. This transitional verse closes the agricultural metaphor and opens the architectural one. The next section (verses 10–15) will focus on how leaders build on the foundation already laid, with a sober warning that their work will face God’s assessment. This shift deepens the accountability theme: not only are ministers united and rewarded, but the very materials and craftsmanship will be tried. The point remains the same—honor God, not men, because everything is His.
v.8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
v.9This passage
v.10According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Jeremiah 2:21
Yet I had planted thee a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then art thou turned into the degenerate branches of a foreign vine unto me?
- Matthew 16:18
And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
- Psalms 72:16
There shall be abundance of grain in the earth upon the top of the mountains; The fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: And they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.
- Isaiah 32:20
Blessed are ye that sow beside all waters, that send forth the feet of the ox and the ass.
- Matthew 20:1
For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.
- Isaiah 61:5
And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and foreigners shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers.
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