1 Corinthians 3:4

For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you fleshly?

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you fleshly?

BSB

For when one of you says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere men?

KJV

For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

ASV

For when one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not men?

BBE

For when one says, I am of Paul; and another says, I am of Apollos; are you not talking like natural men?

Original Greek

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ὅταν hotan When G3752 γὰρ gar for G1063 λέγῃ legē may say G3004 τις tis one G5100 ἐγὼ egō I myself G1473 μέν men indeed G3303 εἰμι eimi am G1510 Παύλου Paulou of Paul G3972 ἕτερος heteros another G2087 δὲ de however G1161 ἐγὼ egō I myself G1473 Ἀπολλῶ Apollō of Apollos G625 οὐκ ouk surely G3756 ἄνθρωποί anthrōpoi human G444 ἐστε;¶ este are you G1510

The early church

"For when one saith, I am Paul, and I of Apollos, are ye not carnal?" And he points out that this, so far from helping them at all or causing them to acquire any thing, had even become an obstacle to their profiting in the greater things. For this it was which brought forth jealousy, and jealousy had made them "carnal;" and the having become "carnal" left them not at liberty to hear truths of the sublimer sort.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 1–4

The most simple truths of the gospel, as to man's sinfulness and God's mercy, repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, stated in the plainest language, suit the people better than deeper mysteries. Men may have much doctrinal knowledge, yet be mere beginners in the life of faith and experience. Contentions and quarrels about religion are sad evidences of carnality. True religion makes men peaceable, not contentious. But it is to be lamented, that many who should walk as Christians, live and act too much like other men. Many professors, and preachers also, show themselves to be yet carnal, by vain-glorious strife, eagerness for dispute, and readiness to despise and speak evil of others.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 3 →

Cross-references

3

People & places

ApollosPaul

Topics

ChurchStrifeCorinthApollosDissension

Cross-references: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Hebrew and Greek data from STEPBible.org (Tyndale House, Cambridge), CC BY 4.0. Library: sources.