We Are God's Husbandman and Fellow Laborers In Christ

 

 "For we are labourers together with God: you are God's husbandry, you are God's building." 1 Corinthians 3:9

 What is God's husbandry-what does it mean?“ God’s husbandry” means God’s cultivated field or farm—something that belongs to God, is cared for by God, and is meant to grow under His work. The verse is 1 Corinthians 3:9. In older English, “husbandry” can mean farming, cultivation, or tilled land. So Paul is saying:

*The Church (believers) are like God’s field.

*God is the owner.

*God’s servants are workers in that field.

*Spiritual growth is something God produces in us.

In the context of the chapter, Paul had been explaining that one servant plants, another waters, but God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6). So “God’s husbandry” emphasizes that:

*1. The Church is not man-made or owned by leaders.

*2. Christians are being grown and cultivated by God.

*3. Different ministers have roles, but God is the one producing life and fruit (John15:5)

Then Paul switches images and says, “ye are God’s building” moving from a field picture to a construction picture. Both mean the same basic thing: you belong to God, and He is the one at work in you.

A simple paraphrase would be: “We are workers serving God, and you are God’s field—God’s place of growth—and God’s building.” We are the building (Jesus uses the word "building" as a metaphor), the Temple made without hands (Mark 4:58) in whom He dwells, and the apostles and prophets were the foundation, and Jesus the Chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2: 19-22). Peter refers to US as "living stones,  built into a spiritual house." Christ, US, joined together to become a Holy Temple. God is too great to be contained or confined to a physical building. HE DWELLS IN US! In every believer.

Until He Comes,

-Pat-