Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
Are one (en eisin). The neuter singular again (en, not eiv) as with the interrogative ti and the indefinite ti. By this bold metaphor which Paul expands he shows how the planter and the waterer work together. If no one planted, the watering would be useless. If no one watered, the planting would come to naught as the dreadful drouth of 1930 testifies while these words are written.
According to his own labour (kata ton idion kopon). God will bestow to each the reward that his labour deserves. That is the pay that the preacher is sure to receive. He may get too little or too much here from men. But the due reward from God is certain and it will be adequate however ungrateful men may be.
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing 1 Corinthians 3:8:
Acts 18:28
2 Corinthians 1:24
2 John 1:8
Revelation 11:18
DISCLAIMER: Church of the Great God (CGG) provides these resources to aid the individual in studying the Bible. However, it is up to the individual to "prove all things, and hold fast to that which is good" (I Thessalonians 5:21). The content of these resources does not necessarily reflect the views of CGG. They are provided for information purposes only.