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

5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are 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

• ·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 though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
• Psalms 115:1Not unto us, O Yhwh, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake.
• Isaiah 40:17All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.
• Isaiah 41:29Behold, they are all vanity; their works are nothing: their molten images are wind and confusion.
• Daniel 4:35And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?
• John 15:5I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
• 2 Corinthians 12:9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
• Galatians 6:3For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth 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