Bible Commentary

1 Corinthians 3:9

1 Corinthians 3:9

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

For we are labourers together with God,.... The ministers of the Gospel are labourers in the Lord's vineyard, and not loiterers; their work is a laborious work, both to body and mind; which lies in close study and meditation, in diligent reading and constant prayer, in frequent ministration of the word, and administration of ordinances; besides reproofs, admonitions, and exhortations, counsels, and instructions, which are often necessary: it is a work, which no man is sufficient for of himself; what requires diligence, industry, and faithfulness; is honourable, and, when rightly performed, deserves respect: nor do they labour alone, but with God; not as co-ordinate, but as subordinate workers; for though they labour in planting and watering, yet they bear no part with him in giving the increase; he is the husbandman, the chief master builder, they are labourers under him; however, he works with them; hence their labours are not in vain, and they have great encouragement to go on in their work; and they are God's labourers with one another, which is a sense of the phrase not to be overlooked.

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for 1 Corinthians 3:9

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

1 Corinthians 3 — Overview1 Corinthians 3 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleIn this chapter the apostle, I. Blames the Corinthians for their carnality and divisions, ver. 1-4. II. He instructs them how what was amiss among them might be rectified, by remembering, 1. That their…1 Corinthians 3 — Overview1 Corinthians 3 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledge1 Corinthians 3:1, Milk is fit for children; 1 Corinthians 3:3, Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind; 1 Corinthians 3:7, He that planteth and he that watereth, are nothing; 1 Corinthians 3:9, The ministers…1 Corinthians 3 — Overview1 Corinthians 3 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this chapter the apostle returns to the charge of schisms and contentions upon the Corinthians, which were the occasion of the epistle; and reproves them for their divisions, which were about their ministers; and…1 Corinthians 3:1-231 Corinthians 3:1-23 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 The carnal conceit of the spiritually immature. 1 Corinthians 3:1 I… could not speak unto you as unto spiritual. Though softened by the word brethren, there was a crushing irony of…1 Corinthians 3:1-231 Corinthians 3:1-23 · The Pulpit Commentary3. Life is the property of the Church. "Or life." There are certain conditions in which we find men on this earth, in which they cannot be said to live. There are some chained in their cell, under the sentence of death;…1 Corinthians 3:1-231 Corinthians 3:1-23 · The Pulpit Commentary1. It is spiritual, not material work, of which the assertion is made. All are builders, not only of their own character and. destiny, but of the character and destiny of some associates. There is an awful solemnity…