[371 words]
“What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:5-6). Today we hold Paul and those who worked with him in very high esteem. We study their work of going to new places to teach God’s word. We rightly honor them and the good examples they left for us. Yet Paul and other writers of the New Testament refer to themselves as servants.
We learn that these servants were each doing their special work. Each work was important; so that the whole was accomplished. It is God, who gives the growth. God must be recognized as the power that was making all things happen, He must be given all the glory.
We note that both Apollos and Paul were helping people to believe. As Paul planted, the people heard the gospel and started their faith. Apollos would help them grow to a strong faith. There must be a start, if there is no start, then no work can be complete. Work must continue. In all cases the young Christians should be taught how to live the righteous life. Sometimes it is even necessary to train leaders how to direct the worship. We must remember each person, who becomes a Christian, must learn and grow.
Were these servants’ master teachers? YES! But they were still servants for Christ. Today we may grow into good teachers, by continuing to study God’s word. We may be able to explain God’s word, so that it is clear to others, yet we are servants. In this case we are servants doing God’s will. We are servants to those we help gain more knowledge of the right way to live.
Paul wrote that the slaves of men, must do their work, as working for the Lord. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Colossians 3:23-24). As teachers, we must teach correctly, if we want the final reward, that home in heaven.
Wayne Curry
Highland Drive church of Christ
Poplar Bluff, MO