The Corinthian believers found themselves divided over a similar issue. Some were captivated by Paul’s deep theological reasoning, while others were drawn to Apollos’ eloquence and charisma. Paul addresses this very problem when he writes:
“What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role. I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” (1 Corinthians 3:5-7, BSB)
What’s the Real Issue?
The issue at Corinth wasn’t just about personality preference—it was about spiritual maturity. Some believers were treating their favorite teachers almost as celebrities, attaching themselves to the man rather than the message of Christ. Paul reminds them that both he and Apollos were mere servants; God alone gives the increase.
If someone is considering leaving a church because a particular pastor or teacher isn’t as engaging as another, it’s worth asking: What is my deepest reason for being here? Is it the style, or is it the substance? The preacher’s personality may shape how the message is delivered, but it is the Word of God that has power. The danger comes when we let our personal preferences overtake our hunger for truth.
This doesn’t mean that good teaching and engaging delivery don’t matter. Apollos was indeed an eloquent man, “competent in the Scriptures” (Acts 18:24, BSB), and his ability to teach was a gift to the church. But Paul makes it clear that the focus should never be on the human messenger, no matter how impressive, but on Christ Himself.
If a church is faithfully preaching the gospel, teaching sound doctrine, and encouraging spiritual growth, leaving simply because one pastor’s style is less compelling than another’s may be a misplaced priority. On the other hand, if a church is failing to teach the whole counsel of God, then seeking a congregation where truth is faithfully proclaimed is a different matter altogether.
At the end of the day, we must ask ourselves: Am I being fed spiritually? Am I growing in love for Christ and His people? The church is not a platform for our preferred speaker—it is the body of Christ, where each of us is called to serve, worship, and grow together.
A good cross-reference to consider is Philippians 1:15-18, where Paul acknowledges that some preach Christ with impure motives, yet still rejoices that Christ is being proclaimed. Another is 2 Timothy 4:3-4, where he warns that some will seek teachers who merely satisfy their itching ears rather than leading them in truth.
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