1 Corinthians 3:7 ESV
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
In 1 Corinthians 3, the Apostle Paul is addressing the Corinthian church and addressing issues of division and strife among them. The context leading up to verse 7 involves St.Paul discussing the role of various leaders within the church, particularly himself and Apollos. Some in the Corinthian church were aligning themselves with specific leaders, leading to divisions and a lack of unity.
In verses 5-6, St.Paul uses the metaphor of planting and watering to describe the roles of different leaders in the church:
"What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth."
Here, St.Paul likens the work of spreading the message of the Gospel to the agricultural process of planting and watering. He and Apollos are merely instruments in God's service. St.Paul emphasizes that their roles are complementary; one may plant the seed (preach the Gospel), and another may water it (nurture and build upon the foundation laid). However, the essential factor in the success of this spiritual work is God, who provides the growth.
This metaphor underscores the idea that no human leader or worker in the church should be exalted above others. They all play a part, but ultimately, it is God who brings about the spiritual growth and success. The focus should be on God's power and sovereignty rather than on human achievements or divisions within the church. St.Paul is urging the Corinthians to recognize and appreciate the unity and dependence they should have on God in their ministry and growth in faith. This is so relevant to us today, where there is more division than unity within the universal church.
