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. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now the one who plants and the one who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. (vv. 5-9)

You may have noticed that I have not quoted the words of theologians. True understanding of God’s Word comes only as it is granted by God Himself. Yet, because of our fallen nature, we are inclined to exalt men rather than worship God. I cannot understand why, in so many churches, the words of men are esteemed above the Word of God. Theologians and ministers are unashamed to call certain men “great thinkers,” as though their insight arose from their own intellect and study, rather than from the wisdom of God.

But the matter was displeasing in the sight of Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” And Samuel prayed to the Lord. And the Lord said to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people regarding all that they say to you, because they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me from being King over them. (1 Samuel 8: 6-7)

People often quote Luther, Calvin, and other theologians to defend their positions. Yet we must remember that they were but men—imperfect and limited. The mystery of the Kingdom of God is not grasped through human reasoning, but by the Word of God revealed through the Holy Spirit. No matter how eloquently one may explain it, the truth remains hidden until God Himself opens the eyes of the heart by His Word and Spirit.

When God grants knowledge, it does not remain as mere knowledge. It nourishes the soul, shapes the person, and inevitably bears fruit in the works of God. The believer’s deeds are thus inseparably bound to God’s own work. And when the final reward is given, it will not be on account of what we have done of ourselves, but because God has worked in us and through us.

Take care that no one deceives himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in the sight of God. For it is written: “He is the one who catches the wise by their craftiness”; and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are useless.” So then, no one is to be boasting in people. For all things belong to you, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come; all things belong to you, and you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God. (vv. 18-23)