A.T. Robertson Commentary 1 Corinthians 3:5

"What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him." — 1 Corinthians 3:5 (ASV)

What then? (τ ουν; ). He does not say τις (who), but τ (what), neuter singular interrogative pronoun.

Ministers (διακονο). Not leaders of parties or sects, but merely servants through whom ye believed. The etymology of the word Thayer gives as δια and κονις "raising dust by hastening." In the Gospels it is the servant (Matthew 20:26) or waiter (John 2:5). Paul so describes himself as a minister (Colossians 1:23,25). The technical sense of deacon comes later (1 Timothy 3:8,12).

As the Lord gave to him (ως ο Κυριος εδωκεν). Hence no minister of the Lord like Apollos and Paul has any basis for pride or conceit nor should be made the occasion for faction and strife. This idea Paul enlarges upon through chapters 1Colossians 3; 4 and it is made plain in chapter 1Colossians 12.