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1 Corinthians 3:6 – Have You Been Watered?
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (1 Corinthians 3:6). What does this look like? I got asked that question, and admittedly never had given it much thought before. So let’s answer that question “in context”.
Back in chapter 1:12, Paul confronts their preacheritis:
“What I am saying is this: One of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.””
Then in chapter 1:13, Paul continues,
“Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name?”
Continuing in 1:17, Paul argues that it is not important who baptizes:
“For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel — not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.”
Then he says in 1:18,
“For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.”
Paul returns to speaking about himself and Apollos in 3:4,
“For whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not acting like mere humans?”
Can you see how this is the same topic seen in 1:12?
Comparing 1 Corinthians 1 and 3 should make the analogy in 3:6 clearer:
1. “I planted” – Paul preached the gospel.
2. “Apollos watered” – Apollos baptized in water those Paul taught.
3. “God causes the increase” – God saves.
Once again we see the essential place of both teaching and baptism within God’s plan.
1. First we are taught.
2. Then we are baptized in water.
3. After being taught and baptized, God saves.
The power is not found in who teaches (i.e. plants the seed), or who baptizes (i.e., immerses in water), but in God who saves. That is what this analogy looks like in real life.
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