1 Corinthians 3:8

Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

World English Bible
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Other translations

WEBBE

Now he who plants and he who waters are the same, but each will receive his own reward according to his own labour.

BSB

He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose , and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.

KJV

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

ASV

Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.

BBE

Now the planter and the waterer are working for the same end: but they will have their separate rewards in the measure of their work.

Original Greek

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ὁ ho The [one] G3588 φυτεύων phuteuōn planting G5452 δὲ de now G1161 καὶ kai also G2532 ὁ ho the [one] G3588 ποτίζων potizōn watering G4222 ἕν hen one G1520 εἰσιν eisin are G1510 ἕκαστος hekastos each G1538 δὲ de now G1161 τὸν ton (the) G3588 ἴδιον idion [his] own G2398 μισθὸν misthon reward G3408 λήμψεται lēmpsetai will receive G2983 κατὰ kata according to G2596 τὸν ton (the) G3588 ἴδιον idion [his] own G2398 κόπον kopon labor G2873

The early church

"He that planteth and he that watereth, are one." For by means of this he establishes another point also, viz. that they should not be exalted one against another. His assertion, that they are one, refers to their inability to do any thing without "God that giveth the increase." And thus saying, he permitted not either those who labored much to lift themselves up against those who had contributed less; nor these again to envy the former. In the next place, since this had a tendency to make men more indolent, I mean, all being esteemed as one, whether they have labored much or little; observe how he sets this right, saying, "But each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor." As if he said, "Fear not, because I said, Ye are one; for, compared with the work of God, they are one; howbeit, in regard to labors, they are not so, but "each shall receive his own reward." Then he smooths it still more, having succeeded in what he wished; and gratifies them, where it is allowed, with liberality.
John Chrysostom · d. 407Homilies on 1 Corinthians

Commentary

Matthew Henry · Verses 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.

Read Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 3 →

Cross-references

20

Topics

JudgmentRewardResponsibilityIrrigation

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