1 Corinthians 3:4

4 For when one says, *I* am of Paul, and another, *I* of Apollos, are ye not men?

1 Corinthians 3:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 3:4

For while one saith, I am of Paul
This shows what their envying and strife, and divisions were about, and from whence they sprung; and which serve, to strengthen the proof, and support the charge of carnality brought against them; for when one sort made a party for Paul, and set up him as their minister above all others; and said

another, I am of Apollos,
preferring him for his eloquence above Paul, or any other preacher, as appears from ( 1 Corinthians 1:12 ) there was a third sort for Cephas, whom they cried up as superior to the other two, or any other man; and a fourth were for Christ, and despised all ministers whatever:

are ye not carnal?
all this was a demonstration of it: they could never clear themselves from it, they must be convicted in their own consciences of it; to which the apostle appeals: the Alexandrian copy and the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read, "are ye not men?"

1 Corinthians 3:4 In-Context

2 I have given you milk to drink, not meat, for ye have not yet been able, nor indeed are ye yet able;
3 for ye are yet carnal. For whereas [there are] among you emulation and strife, are ye not carnal, and walk according to man?
4 For when one says, *I* am of Paul, and another, *I* of Apollos, are ye not men?
5 Who then is Apollos, and who Paul? Ministering servants, through whom ye have believed, and as the Lord has given to each.
6 *I* have planted; Apollos watered; but God has given the increase.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.