1 Corinthians 3:7

1 Corinthians 3:7 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
• New International Version (NIV)So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.
• English Standard Version (ESV)So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
• New King James Version (NKJV)So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

Context of 1 Corinthians 3:7

5What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Just servants through whom you believed [in Christ], even as the Lord appointed to each his task. 6I planted, Apollos watered, but God [all the while] was causing the growth. So neither is the one who plants nor the one who waters anything, but [only] God who causes the growth. 8He who plants and he who waters are one [in importance and esteem, working toward the same purpose]; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9For we are God’s fellow workers [His servants working together]; you are God’s cultivated field [His garden, His vineyard], God’s building.

1 Corinthians 3:7 word by word

ὥστε οὔτε ὁ φυτεύων ἐστίν τι οὔτε ὁ ποτίζων, ἀλλ᾽ ὁ αὐξάνων θεός·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• So thenὥστεhōste · soG5620
• neitherοὔτεoute · neitherG3777
• is heεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• that plantethφυτεύωphuteuō · to plantG5452
• any thingτιςtis · oneG5100
• he that waterethποτίζωpotizō · to waterG4222
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• that giveth the increaseαὐξάνωauxanō · to growG837

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 3:7

• 1 Corinthians 13:2And if I have the gift of prophecy [and speak a new message from God to the people], and understand all mysteries, and [possess] all knowledge; and if I have all [sufficient] faith so that I can remove mountains, but do not have love [reaching out to others], I am nothing.
• Psalms 115:1Not to us, O Lord, not to us, But to Your name give glory Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth and faithfulness.
• Isaiah 40:17All the nations are as nothing before Him, They are regarded by Him as less than nothing and meaningless.
• Isaiah 41:29In fact, all of these [pagan prophets and priests] are false; Their works are worthless, Their cast images are [merely] wind and emptiness.
• Daniel 4:35All the inhabitants of the earth are regarded as nothing. But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of the earth; And no one can hold back His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’
• John 15:5I am the Vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him bears much fruit, for [otherwise] apart from Me [that is, cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me.
• Galatians 6:3For if anyone thinks he is something [special] when [in fact] he is nothing [special except in his own eyes], he deceives himself.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 3:7

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7So then, neither is he that planteth any thing - God alone should have all the glory, as the seed is his, the ground is his, the laborers are his, and the produce all comes from himself.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7Anything - This is to he taken comparatively. They are nothing in comparison with God! Their agency is of no importance compared with his: see the note at 1 Corinthians 1:28. It does not mean that their agency ought not to be performed; that it is not important, and indispensable in its place; but that the honor is due to God - Their agency is indispensable. God could make seed or a tree grow if they were not planted in the earth. But He does not do it…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 5-9Verses 5-9 The ministers about whom the Corinthians contended, were only instruments used by God. We should not put ministers into the place of God. He that planteth and he that watereth are one, employed by one Master, trusted with the same revelation, busied in one work, and engaged in one design. They have their different gifts from one and the same Spirit, for the very same purposes; and should carry on the same design heartily. Those who work hardest…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 5-9It is wrong to proudly identify as a follower of a human teacher because God does the real work of redemption. He deserves the honor. They are servants: See 2 Corinthians 4:5.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. neither is he that ... anything ... but God--namely, is all in all. "God" is emphatically last in the Greek, "He that giveth the increase (namely), God." Here follows a parenthesis, 1Co 3:8-21, where "Let no man glory in men" stands in antithetic contrast to "God" here.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 3:7

• Apollos
• Minister, Christian
• Partnership
• Power
• Regeneration
• Works
• Zeal, Religious

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Apollos
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Foundation
• Humility
• Plant
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Paul, the Apostle
• Wisdom

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings