1 Corinthians 3:7 kjv
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:7 nkjv
So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
1 Corinthians 3:7 niv
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
1 Corinthians 3:7 esv
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
1 Corinthians 3:7 nlt
It's not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What's important is that God makes the seed grow.
1 Corinthians 3 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 3:5 | "What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you belie..." | Points to God giving growth |
| Ps 127:1 | "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain..." | God's foundational role in all work |
| Jer 31:33 | "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel..." | God's internal work of transformation |
| Gal 6:8 | "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corrup..." | Contrasting human effort with God's |
| Phil 1:6 | "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring..." | God's initiation and completion of salvation |
| John 15:5 | "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him..." | Dependency on Christ for fruitfulness |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you..." | Divine empowerment for ministry |
| 1 Cor 12:11 | "All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who divides to ea..." | Holy Spirit as the source of spiritual ability |
| Rom 8:28 | "We know that for those who love God all things work together for good..." | God's overarching plan and purpose |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | "And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom fr..." | Christ as the source of all spiritual blessings |
| Gal 5:22-23 | "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindne..." | Spiritual fruit as God's work |
| Col 1:10 | "...so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully ple..." | God's enablement for righteous living |
| Eph 2:8-10 | "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your o..." | Salvation as a gift from God |
| Ps 65:9 | "You visit the earth and give it drink, you greatly enrich it with t..." | God's provision for earthly growth |
| Eze 36:26-27 | "I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you..." | God's direct work on the heart |
| Zech 4:6 | "Then he said to me, ‘This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: “N..." | Spirit's power, not by might or power |
| Rom 6:4 | "We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order th..." | Death and resurrection with Christ as God's work |
| 1 Cor 3:6 | "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth." | Directly states the theme |
| Acts 14:23 | "And when they had appointed elders in every church, with fasting..." | Elders appointed, God directs outcomes |
| Prov 3:5-6 | "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own u..." | Trusting God over human understanding |
| Rom 11:36 | "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be gl..." | God's ultimate sovereignty and glory |
1 Corinthians 3 verses
1 Corinthians 3 7 Meaning
This verse emphasizes that God alone is responsible for spiritual growth, not the individuals who plant or water. It's a foundational principle of Christian ministry, highlighting divine sovereignty in salvation and sanctification.
1 Corinthians 3 7 Context
In 1 Corinthians chapter 3, Paul is addressing divisions within the Corinthian church. Some believers were aligning themselves with different spiritual leaders, such as Paul or Apollos, creating factions and immaturely viewing these leaders as grounds for spiritual superiority. Paul is reminding them that these leaders are merely servants who administer God's grace. His purpose is to correct their focus from the human agents of faith to the divine source of all spiritual fruit and effectiveness. The chapter emphasizes the unity and shared purpose of all ministers under Christ and the ultimate responsibility of God in spiritual growth.
1 Corinthians 3 7 Word Analysis
- οὕτως (houtōs): Thus, so, in this way. Indicates the consequence or manner following what has been said.
- δὲ (de): But, and, moreover. A conjunction used for transition, often introducing a contrast or continuation. Here it connects the action of planting and watering to the overarching truth.
- Θεὸς (Theos): God. The primary subject of the clause, highlighting who is truly responsible.
- αὐξήσας (auxēsas): Caused to grow, increased. A participle from the verb auxanō (to grow, increase, make to grow). It signifies bringing about spiritual development and maturity, which is exclusively God's prerogative.
- ἐστιν (estin): Is. The verb indicating existence or identity, stating the truth of God's role.
Word Group Analysis:
- "οὕτως δὲ Θεὸς" (houtōs de Theos): "Thus but God" or "So but God." This construction emphatically shifts the focus from the human efforts of planting and watering to the divine agent who brings about the actual spiritual increase. It’s a crucial pivot, underscoring divine sovereignty.
- "αὐξήσας ἐστιν" (auxēsas estin): "has caused to grow" or "is the one who made to grow." This phrase defines God's specific action – not merely facilitating but actively causing the growth. It’s about divine life-giving power, not just nurturing.
1 Corinthians 3 7 Bonus Section
The concept of "growth" (αὔξησις, auxēsis) in the New Testament often refers to spiritual maturation, increasing understanding, and spiritual strength, powered by the Holy Spirit. This contrasts with merely biological or numerical growth. The Corinthians were looking at visible aspects (who preached best, who seemed most gifted), but Paul redirects them to the invisible, supernatural work of God. This principle extends to all areas of Christian experience – salvation, sanctification, and ministry effectiveness are all ultimately God's work, through human instruments.
1 Corinthians 3 7 Commentary
This verse is a powerful statement against spiritual pride and factionalism. It asserts that while human efforts in ministry are valuable and necessary, the ultimate increase and fruitfulness in spiritual life and in the church are entirely dependent on God's power and will. Paul’s ministry, like Apollos’, was a channel, but God was the source of the growth. This reminds believers that true spiritual vitality doesn't stem from allegiance to a particular preacher or method, but from the sovereign work of God within individuals, transforming and maturing them. It redirects all credit and glory to Him.