In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he was obviously bugged about a lot of things going on there (some of them quite nasty – see Chapter 5), but one of the specific things he brings up is this new issue about WHO they were following.
In 1 Cor 1:12-14, he says that “One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.”
And then he throws the BIG questions out there . . . “Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized in the name of Paul?”
And then he even says he’s GLAD he didn’t baptize them just so they could never say they were baptized in HIS name. He did in fact baptize people, but his point was they obviously had an inclination towards putting importance on WHO baptized, and so he’s glad he’s not getting roped into that.
In 1 Cor 3:4-7, he comes back to this and accuses them of being “worldly.” He says. . . . “For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings?”
Ironically, I don’t think Paul suffered humanly from a low ego, but clearly he was uncomfortable with this thing of them saying they “follow Paul.” And then he writes that beautiful passage . . . “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.I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow.So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.”
So I suppose someone could twist this into putting themselves into Paul’s place here, like a Workers saying they are the modern version of the one who plants the seeds, and to be really clear, I’m NOT speaking against the idea of a person planting the seeds. I LOVE the whole metaphor of seeds being planted and God providing the growth. But the entire point is that it doesn’t matter who plants the seeds.
It matters WHAT the seed is. And if a claim is made that the seed is more viable because the one planting it is such and such, or follows some form, or left his home, or whatever, then alarm bells should go off. THAT is exactly what Paul is talking about. He’s trying to get it through to them that the seed is what makes the seed valid, not whether it was planted by him or by Apollos, or anyone.
Later in that 3rd Chapter (3:21-23), Paul says . . . “So then, no more boasting about human leaders! All things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours,and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” BEAUTIFUL!
In 1 Cor 4:6, he stays on this theme . . . “Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.” Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.” So he was trying to clarify that he’s only using himself and Apollos as a “for instance.” The point is to NOT fixate on WHO brought you the gospel. It’s not about boasting in anything other than God. . . . vs 17 “But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.”
In 2 Cor 11:14, he makes that scary statement that Satan himself is capable of masquerading as servants of righteousness. And the implication in all of this is that boasting in oneself is a red flag that this could be the case. I’m NOT suggesting the Workers are this. All I’m saying is that anyone who says the gospel must be heard through THEM, or someone in their group, is missing the entire point that Paul’s making about the “who” not mattering.
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he kind of touches on this again. But in this letter, he phrases it as having confidence in the flesh. And then he has that little rant about if ANYONE is going to brag about their flesh, it should be him. That’s in Philippians 3:4-6. “If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.”
And this is what I mean when I say Paul didn’t suffer from a low ego. He had this list at the ready. But then what does he say about all those things? . . . “I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ” (Phil 3:8-9 NIV)
All those things Paul said about himself were true. He WAS from the tribe of Benjamin. He was perfect in the law, faultless. And those are commendable things. But on the topic of how those things make HIM more worthy to spread the seed of the gospel . . . garbage!
So as I’ve said in other places, I have a lot of respect for the sincerity and the commitment it takes for someone to leave their career or their family or sell their car, and go preach the gospel. But THAT is not what “anoints” the seed they’re sowing. That is NOT what validates them as messengers. With due respect, those things are “garbage” when compared with – as Paul says in vs 9 – “the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
And THAT, is a righteousness we can all have.
By Tim Borys
Winnipeg, Canada
November 9, 2024
The above essay was originally posted in “Thoughts From Members” on the platform Connected and Concerned Friends (CCF) at:
https://connected-and-concerned-friends.mn.co/posts/what-after-all-is-apollos