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I planted. Apollos watered. But God gave the increase.

Verse Takeaways

1

God Alone Gives Growth

Commentators unanimously emphasize that while ministers have distinct roles (planting the seed of the gospel and watering it with teaching), neither has the power to create spiritual life. As with a farmer who depends on God for a harvest, the church depends on God for all spiritual growth. This shifts the focus from human leaders to God's sovereign work.

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Book Overview

1 Corinthians

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Commentaries

9

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes

On 1 Corinthians 3:6

18th Century

Theologian

I have planted. The apostle here compares the establishment of the church at Corinth to the planting of a vine, a tree, or grain. The figu…

AT Robertson

AT Robertson

On 1 Corinthians 3:6

I planted (εγω εφυτευσα). First aorist active indicative of old verb φυτευω. This Paul did as Luke tells us in Ac 18:1-18.

Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott

On 1 Corinthians 3:6

19th Century

Bishop

I have planted, Apollos watered.—By an image borrowed from agricultural processes, the Apostle explains the relationship …

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Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon

On 1 Corinthians 3:5–9

19th Century

Preacher

Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; b…

Expositor's Bible Commentary

Expositor's Bible Commentary

On 1 Corinthians 3:6

Paul bluntly states, “I planted the seed,” and quickly adds, “Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.” In vv.7–9 he draws some conclusions from h…

John Calvin

John Calvin

On 1 Corinthians 3:6

16th Century

Theologian

I have planted, Apollos watered. He unfolds more clearly the nature of that ministry by an analogy, in which the nature of the word and th…

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John Gill

John Gill

On 1 Corinthians 3:6

17th Century

Pastor

I have planted
That is, ministerially; otherwise the planting of souls in Christ, and the implanting of grace in the…

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry

On 1 Corinthians 3:5–9

17th Century

Minister

The ministers about whom the Corinthians contended were only instruments used by God. We should not put ministers into the place of God.