9 For we are co-workers in God's service; you are God's field, God's building.
9 For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.
9 What makes them worth doing is the God we are serving. You happen to be God's field in which we are working.
9 For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, you are God's building.
9 For we are both God's workers. And you are God's field. You are God's building.
61 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.
61 As God's co-workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.
61 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
61 Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don't squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us.
61 We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
61 As God's partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God's kindness and then ignore it.
(Read 2 Corinthians 6:1-10)
The gospel is a word of grace sounding in our ears. The gospel day is a day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offers of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the proper time to accept these offers. The morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the morrow, nor where we shall be. We now enjoy a day of grace; then let all be careful not to neglect it. Ministers of the gospel should look upon themselves as God's servants, and act in every thing suitably to that character. The apostle did so, by much patience in afflictions, by acting from good principles, and by due temper and behaviour. Believers, in this world, need the grace of God, to arm them against temptations, so as to bear the good report of men without pride; and so as to bear their reproaches with patience. They have nothing in themselves, but possess all things in Christ. Of such differences is a Christian's life made up, and through such a variety of conditions and reports, is our way to heaven; and we should be careful in all things to approve ourselves to God. The gospel, when faithfully preached, and fully received, betters the condition even of the poorest. They save what before they riotously spent, and diligently employ their time to useful purposes. They save and gain by religion, and thus are made rich, both for the world to come and for this, when compared with their sinful, profligate state, before they received the gospel.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:9
Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:5-9
(Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-9)
The ministers about whom the Corinthians contended, were only instruments used by God. We should not put ministers into the place of God. He that planteth and he that watereth are one, employed by one Master, trusted with the same revelation, busied in one work, and engaged in one design. They have their different gifts from one and the same Spirit, for the very same purposes; and should carry on the same design heartily. Those who work hardest shall fare best. Those who are most faithful shall have the greatest reward. They work together with God, in promoting the purposes of his glory, and the salvation of precious souls; and He who knows their work, will take care they do not labour in vain. They are employed in his husbandry and building; and He will carefully look over them.