Donna Williams Supporter

Dear Anonymous, I believe that the Apostle Paul is teaching us, not to exalt or compare one leader to another.

When we do so, it is a sign that we are spiritually immature. It was always the intention of the apostle to preserve unity in the body of Christ.

He points out that he and Apollos were co-laborers in preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

And ultimately, that it is God who gives the increase, or causes the seed that has been planted in our hearts to grow. In all things, it is God who gets the glory!

March 11 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does 1 Corinthians 3:7 teach us about the role of different leaders in the life of a church?

1 Corinthians 3:7 ESV: "So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase."

The focus is on God's role as the one in charge. Human leaders matter, but they're just servants. The growth and strength of the church come from God, not from personalities or factions.

The Corinthians were embroiled in conflict and strife over what, to us now, seems a very silly issue. They had divided themselves into factions over which Christian leader they were loyal to.

Paul is tackling this misunderstanding head-on. He has equated himself and Apollos as servants of Christ: each completing the task given to them in Corinth. Using a gardening metaphor, Paul said that he planted the seed of the gospel and Apollos watered it. God, though, is the one who caused it to grow. Different emphasis or style does not mean one is more godly or more important than the other.

As much as we might prefer certain jobs—or certain teachers—we can't divide the body of Christ over such preferences.

Using a different figure in writing to the congregation at Corinth, the apostle Paul likened the work of the Christian minister to that of a farmer, who first plants the seed, waters and cultivates it, then waits for God to make the plant grow to maturity. Paul brought the good news of the Kingdom to the Corinthians, planting seed in the Corinthian "field." Apollos came afterwards and, by his further teaching, nourished and cultivated the seed sown, but God, by his spirit, brought growth. Paul used this illustration to emphasise that no individual human is important in himself, but that all are ministers, working together as God's workmen. God is the important One, and he blesses such unselfish, unified work.​—1Co 3:5-9.

Gardening expert Geoffrey Smith says: "No special qualifications are needed to become a gardener, just an interest in plants." (Shrubs & Small Trees) 

Similarly, no inherent special qualifications are needed for us to be God's fellow workers, just a genuine interest in people and a willingness to be used by God.​—2 Corinthians 2:16, 17; 3:4-6; Philippians 2:13.

Paul and Apollos knew that their work of Kingdom preaching and disciple-making did not earn them any special prominence in the Christian congregation. They understood that it is God who makes things grow. Still, they did plant and water diligently. May we follow their example and make ourselves available to God as "ministers through whom [others become] believers."​—1 Corinthians 3:5, 6.

A church leader should be a godly role model and a guide for your church members and everyone else in the community. They mentor and encourage people, furthering their faith and ensuring they have a positive church experience, while playing a central role in starting a ministry.

Church leaders are servants (deacons), not Lords. They serve Jesus and the church, and church leaders are chosen and called by Christ, and they belong to Jesus. It is Jesus whom our servant-leaders are to serve, not man.

April 30 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report