1 Corinthians 3:8 kjv
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
1 Corinthians 3:8 nkjv
Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.
1 Corinthians 3:8 niv
The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.
1 Corinthians 3:8 esv
He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.
1 Corinthians 3:8 nlt
The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work.
1 Corinthians 3 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Corinthians 3:5 | What, then, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you came to believe, each of you as the Lord assigned to him. | Paul as co-workers with God |
| Ephesians 4:11 | And he gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, | Spiritual gifts for service |
| John 3:8 | The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but do not know from where it comes or to where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. | Divine impartation of growth |
| Galatians 3:6 | just as Abraham "believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness." | Faith as the source of belief |
| Romans 12:6 | Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them... | Unity in diversity of gifts |
| 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 | Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit... | Variety of gifts, same Spirit |
| Acts 18:24-28 | Now a certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus. He was a man of great learning, with knowledge of the Scriptures. | Apollos’ ministry |
| 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 | I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by Chloe's people, that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is each of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? | Divisions in Corinth |
| 1 Corinthians 3:21 | So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, | No boasting in men |
| 1 Corinthians 4:1-2 | This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. | Faithfulness of servants |
| Colossians 1:28 | Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. | Maturity in Christ |
| Genesis 2:7 | then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living creature. | God breathing life |
| Isaiah 40:28 | Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. | God's power and unsearchable understanding |
| Philippians 2:13 | for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. | God working in believers |
| Acts 4:12 | And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. | Salvation only through Christ |
| Romans 1:17 | For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith." | Righteousness by faith |
| 2 Corinthians 3:5 | Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, | Sufficiency from God |
| 2 Corinthians 4:7 | But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. | Treasure in earthen vessels |
| Jeremiah 17:5 | Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his arm, whose heart turns away from the LORD." | Cursing trust in man |
| Song of Solomon 8:6 | Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the most intense flame. | Love strong as death |
1 Corinthians 3 verses
1 Corinthians 3 8 Meaning
In Christ, those who plant and those who water are spiritually equal. They are instruments in God's hands, working together for the same divine purpose. God alone is the one who brings spiritual growth.
1 Corinthians 3 8 Context
Chapter 3 of 1 Corinthians addresses divisions within the Corinthian church. Paul contrasts his own ministry with that of Apollos, highlighting that both were servants of God. The Corinthian believers were factionalizing, boasting about human leaders. Paul reminds them that he planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but it was God who made it grow. This verse serves to redirect their focus from human leaders to the divine source of spiritual growth and to emphasize the unity of their purpose as fellow workers with God.
1 Corinthians 3 8 Word Analysis
Now he who plants and he who waters are one:
- Now (νυν - nun): Indicates present time, transition from the previous thought.
- He who plants (ὁ φυτεύων - ho phyteuōn): Present active participle from φυτεύω (phyeō), meaning "to plant" or "to sow." Refers to the person who initiates spiritual life, like Paul laying the foundation in Corinth.
- and (καὶ - kai): Connective particle.
- He who waters (ὁ ποτίζων - ho potizōn): Present active participle from ποτίζω (potizō), meaning "to give drink" or "to water." Refers to the person who nurtures spiritual growth, like Apollos' teaching in Corinth.
- are one (ἕν εἰσιν - hen eisin): The verb "to be" (εἰσὶν - eisin) combined with the numeral "one" (ἕν - hen, neuter form of εἷς - heis). Signifies unity in their role, purpose, and relationship with God. It doesn't imply sameness of person but oneness of mission and value in God's economy.
but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor:
- but (δὲ - de): Adversative particle, indicating a contrast or qualification.
- each (εἷς ἕκαστος - heis hekastos): Each one individually. Emphasizes personal accountability.
- will receive (μισθοδοτήσεται - misthodothēsetai): Future passive indicative from μισθοδοτέω (misthodoteō), meaning "to give wages," "to reward." It is a divine recompense.
- his own reward (ἴδιον μισθὸν - idion misthon): His personal reward. The reward is individual, fitting the unique contribution.
- according to (κατὰ - kata): According to, in proportion to.
- his own labor (τὸν ἴδιον κόπον - ton idion kopon): His own toil, exertion, or work. Refers to the effort and dedication put into the ministry.
1 Corinthians 3 8 Bonus Section
The concept of spiritual growth being solely God's work is profound. Just as a farmer diligently prepares the soil, plants seeds, and waters them, their role is one of cooperation with the natural processes and the divine power that brings about life and growth. Human effort is essential, but it is God who sustains and animates. This perspective aligns with Jesus' teaching in John 15:5, "I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he is bearing much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." The success and efficacy of ministry are attributed to God's sovereign grace. The Greek word for "reward" (misthon) can also carry the sense of "wages" or "payment," underscoring that God will recompense faithful service.
1 Corinthians 3 8 Commentary
Paul emphasizes that ministers are united in their service, even if their specific roles differ. They are equally God's instruments and are recognized by God, not by their converts. The unity highlighted is one of function and shared mission under God. However, this unity does not negate individual accountability; each minister will be rewarded based on the specific quality and quantity of their labor for God. This prevents undue boasting in any leader and redirects praise to God.