"but God was causing the growth"
This is an IMPERFECT TENSE which means continual action in past time. Apollos' and Paul's actions were one-time events, but God's actions are continuing (cf. 1 Cor. 3:7).
3:8
NASB, NKJV "are one"
NRSV "have a common purpose"
TEV "there is no difference between"
NJB "it is all one"
REB "they work as a team"
Peshitta "are equal"
The question of this brief and ambiguous Greek phrase (i.e., NASB, NKJV) is
are all leaders equal
do all leaders share in the same church-growing ministry
The true contrast is not between spiritual gifts (i.e., initial evangelist or discipler, pastor/teacher, etc., cf Eph. 4:11), but between God's work and human instrumentality. The key is God!
"but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor"
The concept of rewards is developed in 1 Cor. 3:10-15. In discussing rewards see fuller note at 1 Cor. 3:14.
This idea of rewards for service is related to the spiritual principle delineated in 1 Cor. 3:13 and Gal. 6:7. We reap what we sow (cf. 2 Cor. 9:6).
A related theological issue is degrees of rewards. Knowledge of the gospel energized by the Spirit and the call to leadership within God's church brings a greater responsibility (cf. Luke 12:48). The NT seems to teach degrees of rewards and punishments (cf. Matt. 10:15; 11:22,24; 18:6; 25:21,23; Mark 12:40; Luke 12:47-48; 20:47; James 3:1).
3:9
NASB, NKJV "we are God's fellow workers"
NRSV "we are God's servants, working together"
TEV "we are partners working together for God"
NJB "we do share in God's work"
REB "we are fellow-workers in God's service"
Peshitta "For we work together with God"
The different translations are trying to show that Apollos and Paul work "for" God, not that they are all three co-workers. The priority must remain with God, not His temporary human leaders!
This refers to Paul and Apollos. This is the Near Eastern imagery of a family working together in the field (cf. 2 Cor. 6:1). This verse has three POSSESSIVE GENITIVES: Paul and Apollos belong to God the Father, as does the church in Corinth.
"you are God's field, God's building"
This refers to the Corinthian church. Paul is using the imagery of agricultural growth (cf. Isa. 61:3; Matt. 15:13) and building construction (cf. Eph. 2:20-22; Col. 2:7; 1 Pet. 2:5) to describe the church. Theologically it must be remembered that the church is a people, not a building.
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 1 CORINTHIANS 3:10-15
10According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. 14If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. 15If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.
3:10 "According to the grace of God which was given to me" Paul is asserting his salvation, call, and giftedness as the Apostle to the Gentiles (cf. 1 Cor. 15:10).
"a wise master builder"
This could also mean "building supervisor." We get the English word "architect" from this Greek word. In a sense Paul is asserting his authority as the Christ-called Apostle to the Gentiles and the first to share the gospel with these Corinthians.
"I laid a foundation"
This refers to Paul's initial preaching of the gospel at Corinth. It may be an allusion to Isa. 28:16. Jesus is the foundation!
"and another is building on it"
Paul started the church, but others contributed to its growth. Apollos is one example (cf. 1 Cor. 3:5-9). However, in context this must also relate to those leaders in the church who were promoting a factious spirit. They may have been leaders of different house churches.
"each man must be careful"
This is literally a PRESENT ACTIVE IMPERATIVE of blepō, "I see." This is the warning that church leaders will give an account to God of their church work, as will all believers (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10).
3:11 There are two criteria mentioned in this passage for the church.
the leader's/believer's message must be Christocentric (cf. 1 Cor. 3:11-12 and Eph. 2:20-21)
the leader's/believer's life must be Christlike (cf. 1 Cor. 3:12-15)
3:12 "if" This is the first in a series of FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTENCES which are assumed to be true from the author's perspective or for his literary purpose (cf. 1 Cor. 3:12,14,15,17,18). There were (and are) fruitful and precious leaders and hurtful and destructive leaders!
"any man builds on the foundation"
The major interpretive question here is which foundation is Paul speaking about:
the gospel, 1 Cor. 3:11
the church at Corinth, 1 Cor. 3:10
Is he addressing leaders or believers in general? One's interpretation of 1 Cor. 3:10-15 must relate to 1 Cor. 3:16-17, which describes the church as a whole as the temple of God.
"gold, silver, precious stones"
The emphasis here is on what is durable, beautiful, and costly and cannot be destroyed by fire. Precious stones may be jewels, semi-precious stones, or polished marble stones.
3:13
NASB "will become evident"
NKJV "will become manifest"
NRSV "will become visible"
TEV "will be seen"
NJB "will be shown"
REB "will at last be brought to light"
Peshitta "shall be plainly seen"
This clear manifestation of believers' or leaders' ministry (i.e., motives, actions, purposes) is emphasized by a three-fold repetition of VERBS in 1 Cor. 3:13.
become evident (i.e., phainō)
show (i.e., dēloō)
reveal (i.e., apokaluptō)
This open display and judgment of believers must relate to the judgment seat of Christ in 2 Cor. 5:10.
"the day will show it"
This refers to the OT "Day of the Lord," which will involve both glorification and rewards for believers and judgment for unbelievers. However, even believers will also give an account before the judgment seat of Christ (cf. 2 Cor. 5:10; Matt. 12:36-37; 25:31ff; Rom. 2:16; 14:12; Gal. 5:10; Heb. 13:17).
"will test "
This refers to the refiner's fire (cf. 1 Cor. 4:5), which tests with a view toward approval (i.e., dokimazō).
"the quality of each man's work" In context this must refer to one's church involvement. All the spiritual gifts are for the building up of the church (cf. 1 Cor. 12:7). There is no spiritual distinction between clergy and laity, leader and follower, but there is a task distinction (cf. Num. 16:3). Leaders are more accountable (cf. James 3:1).
3:14 "If" This is the second in a series of FIRST CLASS CONDITIONAL SENTTENCES, assumed to be true from the perspective of the writer or for his literary purpose (cf. 1 Cor. 3:12,14,15,17,18).
"he will receive a reward"
This passage refers to rewards, not salvation. All of the people addressed are assumed to be believers!
The NT concept of rewards must be distinguished from salvation by merit (cf. Rom. 6:23). In the OT rewards or blessings were connected to obedience (cf. Deut. 11:13-32,27-29; Psalm 1). In a sense, that is still true. However, salvation is a gift, not a reward. The life of faith and obedience is a result of salvation, not a means to salvation.
Rewards can be lost, yet salvation retained. Rewards are a recognition of the developing ministry of believers. Paul has now universalized his eschatological evaluation (cf. 1 Thess. 2:19-20; Phil. 2:14-16) to include all believers. Rewards are a way of recognizing those who have ministered effectively and faithfully in the furtherance of the gospel. Rewards are God's gifts through His empowering for His Kingdom. Yet, like all covenant relationships, believers must appropriately and continually respond (cf. 1 Cor. 9:24-27).
Utley.