This past week we have been looking at, in the hopes of committing to memory, 1 Corinthians 3:7-9. This passage was prompted by an active conversation here and on Twitter about the article published last Friday on Election, Predestination, and what the bible says about the two. I invited you to study this passage this week and I hope that you were able to do so.
I realize that as Christmas is right around the corner this will be a tough time of year to be working on a memory verse each week, but I also know that you can do it. At least try. The worst that will happen is that you don’t get it memorized, but you did spend time that week meditating on God’s Word; that’s really all that matters.
I digress. For those of you who did not have a chance to review the passage this week or commit it to memory, you may view it below. After taking a few moments to read it, I would love to read your thoughts on the passage. What is the meaning? How can this apply to Christians today?
1 Corinthians 3:7-9 (ESV)
So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.
Make sure you are subscribed to new posts by email (signup below if you are not) so that you don’t miss what is coming up this week. As this is the month we celebrate the birth of Christ the memory verses will be following along that theme (a new passage every Monday morning). I hope that this is a beneficial study for you. Also, later this month we will be studying The Significance of Christmas. Make sure you sign up and share. You don’t want to miss all that we will learn this month 🙂
Aaron Aiken 
1 Corinthians 3:7-9 (NIV)
7 So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8 The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.
I had to give this verse some careful thought. As the week progressed and I read the verse back to myself, it started to make more sense. I was able to memorize the last part of the verse “You are God’s field, God’s building” after the first day. The rest of it, I had to meditate on more & was only able to memorize bits and pieces. More so the lines “Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God who makes things grow.” That took a little more meditation.
As I thought about the verse, I couldn’t help but think about your post from last week on Predestination. When I read the articles published here, I think of it as the “seed.” You’re planting the seed and as I research, read & study the Word to understand what is being written, I am “watering” that seed. But only God can allow growth. You have set the foundation, you have planted the seed, but only God’s Word, His Truth, and His Wisdom can allow full understanding of what is being written and that can only happen with His Spirit. That’s what the verse means to me in the way I’ve been able to apply it.
In context, the verse is saying it’s not important who does the planting or the watering, what is important is God is at the forefront and He is the only one capable of making anything grow. This could mean trying to bring unbelievers to Christ and I think that’s what it means. We can try, but ultimately He is the one who is doing the work, He does it through us but we aren’t capable of doing it FOR Him. We’re God’s co-workers, He is the manager/supervisor of our lives, He’s the one that is in complete control.
Keep laying the foundation, the “field” and planting seeds Aaron.
God blesses you!
Julie,
These are really good thoughts. I am glad to see that you are taking time through the week to think through the words and actually put effort into discovering the meaning intended (as opposed to the meaning put into it by the reader). Good job on this and keep it up.
Also, thank you for all of the encouraging words. I am glad that what you read here is just the beginning…it is my prayer that this articles and verses prompt you to dig deeper. Keep up the good work!