τί οὖν ἐστιν Ἀπολλῶς; τί δέ ἐστιν Παῦλος; διάκονοι δι’ ὧν ἐπιστεύσατε, καὶ ἑκάστῳ ὡς ὁ Κύριος ἔδωκεν.
"What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task."
NIV
"Who then is Apollos? And who is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord has given to each."
BLB
What is the part of the text about?
a) Everyone of us believed as the Lord has given to each of us?
b) Or were Paul and Apollo assinged to their tasks as the Lord has given to them?
I am reminded of a verse in
1 Corinthians 4
I would offer in the end of the matter as one of the not to think doctrines...we are to
not think of any man as that seen "above that which is written" .While some puff up Paul other might puff op Apollos others Peter e.t.c. This is as if whatever they do have it had to do with their flesh and blood giving them bragging rites .
1 Corinthians 4:5-7Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. And these things, brethren,
I have in a figure (parable) transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men
above that which is written, that no one of you
be puffed up for one against another. For
who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
Much confusion comes when men add new meaning to a word authored by God and violate the law of interpretation found in (Deuteronomy 4:2). Like the word apostle it simply means "sent one". All Prophets who prophesy, declaring the word of God, prophecy are considered apostles as those sent of God. Old testament as well as new. The whole kingdom of priest (believers) after the new order are considered apostles sent out two by two. None of them rise above that which is written . Not one could glory in the things freely given to them from God.
