“𝗣𝗔𝗨𝗟 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗗, 𝗔𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗗, 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗚𝗢𝗗 𝗚𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘”

 

“𝗣𝗔𝗨𝗟 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗗, 𝗔𝗣𝗢𝗟𝗟𝗢𝗦 𝗪𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗗, 𝗕𝗨𝗧 𝗚𝗢𝗗 𝗚𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘”
1 Corinthians 3:6 (KJV)“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.”

 

INTRODUCTION

In the Dispensation of Grace, God uses human instruments, but never shares His glory. Paul confronts the Corinthian believers for carnality and division—reminding them that ministers are servants, not sources, and that growth is God’s work alone. This passage teaches humility, cooperation, and dependence upon God’s power.

 

① THE PLAN OF PLANTING

1 Corinthians 3:6a; Romans 10:14

Explanation: Paul refers to his foundational gospel ministry—planting the seed of grace truth.

Proclamation of the Gospel – The seed is the Word rightly divided (1 Cor. 15:1–4)

Pioneer Ministry – Paul planted where Christ was not named (Rom. 15:20)

Purposeful Labor – Evangelism precedes edification (Acts 18:8)

Planting belongs primarily to evangelistic labor in this age.

 

② THE WORK OF WATERING

1 Corinthians 3:6b; Acts 18:24–28

Explanation: Apollos strengthened believers already saved.

Perfecting the Saints – Teaching builds maturity (Eph. 4:12)

Pastoral Nurturing – Sound doctrine nourishes growth (1 Tim. 4:6)

Patient Ministry – Growth takes time (2 Tim. 2:24)

Watering is discipleship and doctrinal grounding.

 

③ THE SOURCE OF THE INCREASE

1 Corinthians 3:6c; Psalm 127:1

Explanation: Growth is divine, not human.

Sovereign Power – Only God gives life (John 6:63)

Spiritual Growth – Not numbers, but maturity (Col. 2:19)

Supernatural Work – Flesh profits nothing (Gal. 3:3)

Programs don’t produce increase—God does.

 

④ THE PLACE OF THE SERVANTS

1 Corinthians 3:7; Luke 17:10

Explanation: Ministers are nothing without God.

Subordinate Role – Instruments, not initiators

Servant Responsibility – Faithfulness over fame (1 Cor. 4:2)

Self-Emptying Attitude – No boasting allowed (Jer. 9:23–24)

Dispensational humility keeps Christ central.

 

⑤ THE PRINCIPLE OF PARTNERSHIP

1 Corinthians 3:8–9; 2 Corinthians 6:1

Explanation: Laborers differ, but the mission is one.

United Purpose – Same Lord, same gospel

Unique Portions – Different gifts, same grace (Rom. 12:6)

Unified Reward – Each rewarded individually (1 Cor. 3:8)

Grace ministry thrives in cooperation, not competition.

 

⑥ THE FOUNDATION OF THE FAITH

1 Corinthians 3:10–11Explanation: Christ is the only foundation for the Church.

Proper Foundation – Jesus Christ alone Pauline Stewardship – Mystery truth revealed (Eph. 3:2–5)

Precise Building – Right doctrine matters (2 Tim. 2:15)

Wrong foundations produce weak churches.

 

⑦ THE PROVING OF THE WORK

1 Corinthians 3:13; 2 Corinthians 5:10

Explanation: Ministry will be tested at the Judgment Seat of Christ.

Revealing Fire – Quality over quantity

Rewarding Faithfulness – Crowns for enduring work

Rejecting Wood, Hay, Stubble – Fleshly ministry burns

Not all Christian work survives eternity.

 

⑧ THE PURITY OF THE TEMPLE

1 Corinthians 3:16–17

Explanation: The local church is God’s dwelling place.

Indwelling Spirit – Church Age truth

Holy Stewardship – Guard doctrine and conduct

Serious Warning – God judges corrupters

Grace does not excuse defilement.

 

⑨ THE PRAISE OF THE LORD

1 Corinthians 3:21–23; Colossians 1:18

Explanation: All glory belongs to Christ.

Proper Perspective – No glorying in men Possessed

Riches – All things are ours in Christ

Preeminent Savior – Christ is all and in all

Grace teaching leads to Christ-centered worship.

 

CALL TO ACTION

Plant faithfully Water patiently Trust God completely Study rightly divided truth Serve for eternal reward
“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.” (1 Cor. 3:7)

 

CONCLUSION

In this Dispensation of Grace, God uses men—but never depends on men. The Church thrives when believers understand their role and rest in God’s power. Ministry success is not measured by applause on earth, but approval in heaven.

 

FINAL THOUGHTS

① Plant the Gospel boldly

② Water with sound doctrine

③ Depend fully on God

④ Serve humbly, not proudly

⑤ Live for eternal rewards
God alone gives the increase.