Yes—the significance is that many can teach the Word, but only a few are used by God to bring a person to salvation through the gospel.
Paul told the Corinthians that they had many instructors in Christ but not many fathers, because he had begotten them through the gospel (1 Corinthians 4:15). Les Feldick reinforces this by showing that while one believer plants and another waters, God alone gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6).
1 Corinthians 4:15 — This verse directly answers the question by distinguishing the many instructors in Christ from the few fathers who beget others through the gospel.
1 Corinthians 3:6 — This verse shows the process of planting and watering that many instructors do, while God gives the increase.
In 1 Corinthians 4:15, Paul makes a clear distinction between the many instructors a believer may have and the fathers who truly bring the gospel to life: 'For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.' He is not speaking of physical fathers, but of spiritual fatherhood—the one through whom the gospel brings another person into new birth. The same principle appears in Paul's description of ministry in 1 Corinthians 3:6: 'I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.' Many people may water and help a person understand, but the work of causing new life belongs to God. Scripture therefore shows that instructors contribute to the process, while the father is the one God actually uses to bring a sinner to salvation.
Les Feldick explains that the work of salvation usually involves many people. He points to Paul's words about planting and watering: one believer plants the seed, another waters it, and a third may come along to add to the person's understanding. But no matter how many human instruments are involved, God is the final cause who gives the increase. This helps explain why there can be many instructors but only a few who have the fatherly role of actually leading a person to salvation. Les also stresses that Paul's comments were not intended to shame believers. Paul was not saying that unless a person suffered like he did, they were not really saved. Being a father in faith is not measured by how much indignity a person has endured. Finally, Les contrasts Apollos and Paul. Apollos was a man who had been instructed by others and taught diligently, but Paul received his gospel not by human instruction but by direct revelation from the risen Christ. This distinction shows that while many instructors pass along what they have learned, the saving message itself comes from God.
The Bible defines the father in faith by the new birth. Paul says, 'in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel' (1 Corinthians 4:15). This is not a physical relationship but the spiritual reality that Paul was used to carry the gospel to the Corinthians in a way that brought them to salvation.
Les points out that the same way Paul planted and Apollos watered, today one believer may sow the seed, another may water it, and a third may add to the person's understanding. The one who actually sees the person saved is not necessarily the only one involved—God gives the increase.
Les says no. Paul was not writing to shame the Corinthians or to tell them they had to suffer like he did to prove they were believers. Les rejects the idea that a lack of suffering makes someone's faith questionable.
Les explains that instruction is being taught by another human being, as Apollos was. Paul, however, never claimed to be taught by anyone—everything he received came by direct revelation from the Lord. This is why teachers can be many, but the source of saving truth is ultimately God.
Not About Shaming Believers
Les stresses that Paul was not trying to shame the Corinthians or make suffering a test of genuine faith—a father in faith is not proven by how much indignity a person has suffered.
What the Bible Really Says About Marriage — 1 Corinthians 7 Explained
And the purpose of course, is how can you judge in the areas of family relationships if you've never had the experience? Now that's nothing new. Now let's bring it all the way back to I Timothy chapter 3, and Paul carries it right on into the leadership of the Church. The same premise.
God Gives the Increase
Les explains that one believer plants, another waters, and still another may add to understanding, but God is the final cause who gives the increase—showing how many instructors can be involved in one salvation.
A Teacher's Heart for the Lost
Les shares his prayer that no one would sit under his teaching and remain unsaved, showing the desire of an instructor to be used in bringing people to true salvation.
The Hidden Wisdom of God — 1 Corinthians 2:6-9 Explained
People in Christendom today are not one with different. If people could come and say, unless I'm steeped in the Word, I wouldn't have any problem. But they don't. They'll call, and they'll come with their various ideas of the tradition in which they have lived for the last many, many years. People haven't changed a bit.
Instructed by Men vs. Revelation
Les contrasts Apollos, who was instructed by others, with Paul, who received all his gospel by direct revelation—showing that instruction by many is not the same as the saving work of God.
Apollos Was Instructed
Les emphasizes that Apollos had been taught by someone and was fervent in the Spirit, while Paul had no human instructor in the age of grace—his teaching came by revelation.
Revelation vs. Instruction
Les defines the difference: instruction is being taught by another human being, while revelation comes directly from God—and Paul never claimed to be taught by anyone.
1 Corinthians 4:15: For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
This is the key verse behind the question, defining the father in faith as the one through whom the gospel brings another to salvation.
1 Corinthians 3:6: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
Paul uses the imagery of planting and watering to show that many servants may be involved, but God is the one who causes growth.
According to Paul, a father in faith is someone who has begotten another through the gospel—that is, the person God used to bring the gospel to someone in a way that resulted in salvation.
No. The title refers to the one through whom the gospel brought another to new birth, not to an official position. Many instructors may teach, but only a few have that foundational role.
No. Les explains that many people may plant and water and add to a person's understanding. The final cause of salvation is God, who gives the increase.
Les rejects that idea. He says Paul was not trying to shame believers or make suffering a test of genuine faith.
Watch the Teaching: What the Bible Really Says About Salvation — 1 Corinthians 15 Explained