1 Corinthians 3:5

Who then is Paul? Textual evidence (cf. p. 10) is divided between this and the reading, “What then is Paul?” that is, What is his peculiar position? The same division of evidence applies to “who is Apollos?” Paul is seeking to set before the people the true position of the minister of Christ. He is not called to be the leader of a schismatic party; he is simply a minister (diakonos, “servant”; see on Mark 9:35) seeking to lead his fellow men to salvation.

As the Lord gave. Probably to be understood in the light of Rom. 12:3, “according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith” (see comment there). It would thus refer to the Corinthians who believed as a result of the ministry of Paul and Apollos. Or Paul may have been thinking particularly about himself, Apollos, and other ministers of Christ, who, in carrying out their commission, were simply doing what was expected of them (cf. on Luke 17:10).