1 Corinthians 3:7
New International Version
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

New Living Translation
It’s not important who does the planting, or who does the watering. What’s important is that God makes the seed grow.

English Standard Version
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Berean Standard Bible
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

Berean Literal Bible
So neither the one planting nor the one watering is anything, but only God, the One giving growth.

King James Bible
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

New King James Version
So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

New American Standard Bible
So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.

NASB 1995
So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.

NASB 1977
So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.

Legacy Standard Bible
So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth.

Amplified Bible
So neither is the one who plants nor the one who waters anything, but [only] God who causes the growth.

Christian Standard Bible
So, then, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.

American Standard Version
So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Contemporary English Version
What matters isn't those who planted or watered, but God who made the plants grow.

English Revised Version
So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is important because [only] God makes it grow.

Good News Translation
The one who plants and the one who waters really do not matter. It is God who matters, because he makes the plant grow.

International Standard Version
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is significant, but God, who keeps everything growing, is the one who matters.

Majority Standard Bible
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

NET Bible
So neither the one who plants counts for anything, nor the one who waters, but God who causes the growth.

New Heart English Bible
So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who makes it grow.

Webster's Bible Translation
So then, neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth: but God that giveth the increase.

Weymouth New Testament
So that neither the planter nor the waterer is of any importance. God who gives the increase is all in all.

World English Bible
So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
so that neither is he who is planting anything, nor he who is watering, but He who is giving growth—God;

Berean Literal Bible
So neither the one planting nor the one watering is anything, but only God, the One giving growth.

Young's Literal Translation
so that neither is he who is planting anything, nor he who is watering, but He who is giving growth -- God;

Smith's Literal Translation
So that neither he planting is anything, neither he watering; but God increasing.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Therefore, neither he that planteth is any thing, nor he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And so, neither he who plants, nor he who waters, is anything, but only God, who provides the growth.

New American Bible
Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth.

New Revised Standard Version
So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
So then neither he who plants, nor he who waters deserves the credit; but God who gives the increase.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
Therefore he who plants is nothing, neither is he who waters anything, but God who gives growth.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
So, neither he that plants nor he that waters is any thing: but God that makes to grow.

Godbey New Testament
So neither is the one planting, nor the one watering anything, but God the one giving the increase.

Haweis New Testament
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, nor he that watereth; but God who giveth the increase.

Mace New Testament
so then, neither is he that planted any thing, nor he that watered: it is God only that gives the increase.

Weymouth New Testament
So that neither the planter nor the waterer is of any importance. God who gives the increase is all in all.

Worrell New Testament
So that neither is he that plants anything, nor he that waters; but God Who causeth it to grow.

Worsley New Testament
So that neither he that planteth is any thing, nor he that watereth, but God that giveth the increase.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Fellow Workers
6I planted the seed and Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.…

Cross References
John 15:5
I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing.

Philippians 2:13
For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.

James 1:17
Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.

Romans 9:16
So then, it does not depend on man’s desire or effort, but on God’s mercy.

2 Corinthians 3:5
Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God.

John 3:27
John replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.

Matthew 15:13
But Jesus replied, “Every plant that My heavenly Father has not planted will be pulled up by its roots.

Isaiah 55:10-11
For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, / so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

Psalm 127:1
A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.

Jeremiah 10:23
I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own; no one who walks directs his own steps.

Zechariah 4:6
So he said to me, “This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the LORD of Hosts.

Acts 17:28
‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are His offspring.’

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, / not by works, so that no one can boast.

Colossians 1:29
To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.

1 Peter 1:23
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.


Treasury of Scripture

So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase.

1 Corinthians 13:2
And 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.

Psalm 115:1
Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

Isaiah 40:17
All nations before him are as nothing; and they are counted to him less than nothing, and vanity.

Jump to Previous
Causes Giver Gives Grow Growth Importance Increase Makes Planter Planteth Planting Plants Waterer Watereth Watering Waters
Jump to Next
Causes Giver Gives Grow Growth Importance Increase Makes Planter Planteth Planting Plants Waterer Watereth Watering Waters
1 Corinthians 3
1. Milk is fit for children.
3. Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind.
7. He who plants and He who waters are nothing.
9. The ministers are God's fellow workmen.
11. Christ the only foundation.
16. You are the temples of God, which must be kept holy.
19. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.














So neither he who plants
The phrase "he who plants" refers to those who initiate the work of spreading the Gospel. In the context of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing divisions within the church, emphasizing that the work of planting, or evangelizing, is not about the individual but about the message of Christ. The Greek word for "plants" is "φυτεύων" (phyteuōn), which implies the act of sowing seeds. This metaphor highlights the initial efforts in ministry, where the focus should be on the seed—the Word of God—rather than the sower. Historically, this reflects the early church's mission to spread Christianity across diverse cultures, emphasizing unity in purpose rather than individual accolades.

nor he who waters
The phrase "he who waters" represents those who nurture and cultivate the faith of believers after the initial planting. The Greek term "ποτίζων" (potizōn) suggests the act of providing nourishment and care, akin to a gardener tending to plants. This role is crucial in discipleship, where teaching, encouragement, and pastoral care help believers grow in their faith. In the historical context of the Corinthian church, this would involve leaders like Apollos, who followed Paul and continued to teach and strengthen the community. The emphasis here is on the collaborative nature of ministry, where different roles contribute to the spiritual growth of the church.

is anything
This phrase underscores the insignificance of human agents in comparison to God's work. The Greek word "τι" (ti) can be translated as "anything" or "something," indicating that the human role, while necessary, is not the source of growth. This humbling reminder serves to redirect glory and credit away from individuals and towards God. In a broader scriptural context, this aligns with the biblical theme of humility and the recognition of God's sovereignty, as seen in passages like John 15:5, where Jesus states, "apart from Me you can do nothing."

but only God
The phrase "but only God" shifts the focus entirely to the divine. The Greek word "θεός" (theos) is used here, emphasizing the centrality of God in the process of spiritual growth. This statement is a powerful reminder of God's ultimate authority and power in all things. In the historical context of Corinth, a city known for its diverse religious practices and philosophical schools, this declaration would serve to affirm the supremacy of the Christian God over all other deities and human wisdom.

who makes things grow
The concluding phrase "who makes things grow" attributes the increase and development of faith solely to God. The Greek verb "αὐξάνει" (auxanei) means "to cause to grow" or "to increase," highlighting God's active role in the maturation of believers. This growth is not merely numerical but also spiritual, reflecting deeper understanding, stronger faith, and greater love. Scripturally, this aligns with the parable of the sower in Matthew 13, where the growth of the seed depends on the condition of the soil and the divine blessing. This perspective encourages believers to trust in God's timing and methods, recognizing that true transformation is a work of the Holy Spirit.

(7) Any thing--i.e., "anything worth mentioning" (1Corinthians 10:19; Galatians 2:6; Galatians 6:3).

Verse 7. - Anything. The planter and the waterer are nothing by comparison. They could do nothing without Christ's aid (John 15:16), and were nothing in themselves (2 Corinthians 12:11). But God that giveth the increase. The human instruments are nothing, but God is everything, because, apart from him, no result would follow.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
So
ὥστε (hōste)
Conjunction
Strong's 5620: So that, therefore, so then, so as to. From hos and te; so too, i.e. Thus therefore.

neither
οὔτε (oute)
Conjunction
Strong's 3777: And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.

he who
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

plants
φυτεύων (phyteuōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 5452: To plant, set. From a derivative of phuo; to set out in the earth, i.e. Implant; figuratively, to instil doctrine.

nor
οὔτε (oute)
Conjunction
Strong's 3777: And not, neither, nor. From ou and te; not too, i.e. Neither or nor; by analogy, not even.

he who
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

waters
ποτίζων (potizōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 4222: To cause to drink, give to drink; irrigate, water. From a derivative of the alternate of pino; to furnish drink, irrigate.

is
ἐστίν (estin)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.

anything,
τι (ti)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Neuter Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

but [only]
ἀλλ’ (all’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

God,
Θεός (Theos)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2316: A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.

who
(ho)
Article - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

makes [things] grow.
αὐξάνων (auxanōn)
Verb - Present Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 837: (a) I cause to increase, become greater (b) I increase, grow. A prolonged form of a primary verb; to grow, i.e. Enlarge.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 3:7 So then neither he who plants (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 3:6
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