“So then neither is he that plants anything, neither he that waters; but God that gives the increase.” (1 Corinthians 3:7)
Agricultural references are often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe the relationship between the true church, the collective body of believers (referred to as God’s “husbandry” in 1 Cor. 3:9), and God himself, the “husbandman,” (John 15:1). Jesus also spoke directly to that imagery in John 15 when he said, “I am the vine, you are the branches,” (v. 5) and “my Father is the husbandman,” (v. 1) i.e. the farmer (in today’s vernacular).
The term “husbandman” generally refers to one who tends and cares for the earth. A husbandman who does his job well takes pride in cultivating his plants and naturally expects them to produce fruit commensurate with the amount of effort he has invested in them. This is why Christ goes on to explain in John 15:2, “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that bears fruit he purges, that it may bring forth more fruit.”
In Scripture, the church is compared to a vineyard planted and tended by God the great husbandman in the following four contexts: 1) The church does not grow of its own means, as neither does a vine (1 Cor. 3:6-7). 2) The church, while being weak in and of itself (like the branches off the main vine), is still very fruitful when it draws its source and strength from the vine, who is Christ (2 Cor. 12:9). 3) Men are called to work in the service of the church (as they do in a vineyard) at various times (Matt. 20). 4) The church is troubled with enemies, as vineyards are with foxes and wild animals (Ps. 80 and 74).
In our specific text, Paul directs the reader to understand that God tends his church, as a husbandman does his garden and vineyard, through the use of ministers. Though one preaches, another teaches, and still another exercises their gifts in ministry and service to the church, God is the one responsible for “increasing” or moving believers to a greater level of sanctification.
God secures his own glory and magnifies his own power frequently in giving success to weaker endeavors and men of lower abilities, while withholding it from men of more refined and excellent gifts and abilities. It is a great honor for those ministers of the Gospel to be workers together with God (1 Cor. 3), and in his strength they can prevail. But if God’s presence, blessing, and assistance is not with them, they amount to nothing and can do nothing.
William Gouge so well said, “As the work of regeneration is a new creation, a divine work, above human ability, it must therefore be fashioned by the Lord or it cannot be fashioned at all. In this way, whatever the means were, or whosoever the minister was who aided in that, (through preaching or teaching the word) the praise and glory of all the work of salvation must be given to Christ.”
So whatever good a person in the church receives, give glory to God, not to man. For man is simply an instrument in the hand of God, “He that plants and waters is nothing, but it is God that gives the increase.” God does all, and for his glory, as the great Husbandman of his church.
Contemplations:
- In terms of its outward appearance, seed appears to be of little significance. Likewise, the Word of God is greatly despised and condemned in the world (1 Cor. 1:21), though it is set forth by the great God as seed that is effectively sown in the hearts of men.
- Good seed, cast upon good ground, germinates and brings forth a plant, by whose virtue and power it continues its kind. I know, Lord, that the Word of God received in a good heart quickens that man to divine life, because that seed is spirit and life (John 6:63).
- If the Word of God is able to grow in me, it requires a certain environment – the warmth of the Sun of Righteousness and moisture from the dew of your Holy Spirit. In this way, Lord, you give increase to the seed of your heavenly word (1 Cor. 3:6-7).
- Lord, in regard to growth in a believer prompted by the preaching of your Word, planting (and the necessary watering) are attributed to the ministers of the Gospel (1 Cor. 3:6-8). At the same time, there is an essential subordination of these planters and waterers to him that gives the increase, which is none other than You, Lord! For it is You, alone, that effectually works out the faith and salvation of men.
Further References for 1 Cor. 3:6-7:
Gal. 6:3; 1 Cor. 15:10; 1 Cor. 4:15; Acts 21:19
