1Corinthians 3:6,7 – Planting, Irrigating and growing up

I plant, Apollos irrigates, but God makes it grow up. So that, neither is he who is planting anything, nor he who is irrigating, but God Who makes it grow up.

A few years earlier, Paul had ‘planted’ in Corinth. Not by founding an organization or a society but only by proclaiming ‘the Good News’ there. And GOD caused the seed to germinate and that is how a community of believers came in to being.

After working there for a year and a half, Paul left Corinth (Acts 18:11). In the meantime, Priscilla and Aquila, a couple who worked with Paul, met Apollos in Ephesus and encouraged him to cross over to Achaia (Acts 18:27). And that is how he ended up in Corinth (Acts 19:1). Apollos was a fervent, eloquent Jew form Alexandria, very able in the Scriptures and now also well-versed in the Evangel. Like no other he was suitable for ‘watering’ the young ‘planting’ in Corinth. How else than by strengthening them in the Word of GOD?

But what do activities such as ‘planting’ and ‘irrigating’ mean when GOD would not cause germination and growth? It is the unique and living word of GOD which gives meaning to ‘planting’ and irrigating. Because that Word is not only living, it also makes alive!

Delen: