Paul and Apollos

1 Corinthians 3
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.

1 Corinthians 9
13 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? 14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel. 15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. 19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

Paul is an apprentice that is why he is embarrassed to charge people. He is a proud man that he does not want any complaints about him on sub-par service. We mentioned before that his mentors are Jesus and Peter. As an apprentice, he gains the experience to gain more. Like the dentistry students are searching for volunteers so that they can practice. Of course they don't charge.

Paul's work is to invite people to the Church. He went to the Jews, the pagans, to sinners to encourage them to join the Church. Paul planted seeds and Apollos is the one who waters the plants or teaches. This is the power struggle between the two. Paul is righteous but not knowledgeable enough. Meanwhile Apollos has the charisma but according to Paul his teachings are not of the doctrines of Jesus.

When Jesus and Peter are gone, the Church is in chaos. As I assumed that Jesus is a lawyer and Peter is a businessman, this is the trades that Paul was training for. So Paul has no expertise yet. When you go to inspirational speakers of today, and writers for that matters. Do they charge fees or not? Of course they are paid because you learn lessons from experts. But as Jesus teached, Freely you have received, freely give. You can give something, you can give nothing. Jesus did not forced people to give. 2 Corinthians 9:7 "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver."