1 Corinthians 3:1–9

Taking Sides in the Church

3Brothers and sisters, I couldn’t speak to you as if you were guided by the Holy Spirit. I had to speak to you as if you were following the ways of the world. You aren’t growing as Christ wants you to. You are still like babies. ²The words I spoke to you were like milk, not like solid food. You weren’t ready for solid food yet. And you still aren’t ready for it.

³You are still following the ways of the world. Some of you are jealous. Some of you argue. So aren’t you following the ways of the world? Aren’t you acting like ordinary human beings? ⁴One of you says, “I follow Paul.” Another says, “I follow Apollos.” Aren’t you acting like ordinary human beings?

⁵After all, what is Apollos? And what is Paul? We are only people who serve. We helped you to believe. The Lord has given each of us our own work to do. ⁶I planted the seed. Apollos watered it. But God made it grow.

⁷So the one who plants is not important. The one who waters is not important. It is God who makes things grow. He is the One who is important. ⁸The one who plants and the one who waters have the same purpose. The Lord will give each of us a reward for our work. ⁹We work together with God. You are like God’s field. You are like his building.