God alone is ultimately responsible for the growth in a person's faith.
While believers plant and water through witness and teaching, the increase comes from God. No human worker can take credit, as even Paul acknowledged that he planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. This truth keeps the focus on God's sovereign work rather than human effort.
1 Corinthians 3:6 — Paul explicitly states that while he planted and Apollos watered, God gave the increase, directly answering who causes growth.
In 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul writes, "I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase." This verse clearly distinguishes the roles of human workers from the divine source of growth. The following verse (1 Corinthians 3:7) reinforces that neither the planter nor the waterer is significant, but God who gives the increase is. Additionally, 1 Corinthians 3:9 describes believers as "laborers together with God," indicating that while we participate, the power and result belong to God.
Les Feldick emphasizes that God uses human instruments to lead others to salvation, but the credit and the actual growth belong to God alone. He notes that while believers plant and water, the increase is from God, and no one can claim credit. In his teaching on 1 Corinthians, he stresses that Christ is the foundation and that our works are for reward, not for salvation. He also reminds that even in our witnessing, the excellence of the power is of God, not of us, so that no one can boast.
Les Feldick teaches that God has almost always used one human instrument to lead another to a knowledge of salvation. He encourages believers to become skilled in Scripture so they can share effectively. In the context of 1 Corinthians, he explains that different people may plant or water—one may witness, another may teach—but these roles are not what ultimately cause growth.
Les clearly states that man can never take the credit for anything; it all has to be of God, or it will fail. He uses the example of Paul and Apollos to show that even the most prominent apostles did not claim credit for the increase. The focus must remain on God who gives the growth.
Les emphasizes that we are laborers together with God, and our work is for reward, not for salvation. Salvation is all of grace, but once saved, we work to enhance God's kingdom. The focus is not on who does what, but on God who gives the increase.
Human Affinity in the Corinthian Church
Les explains that divisions in the church often arise from human attachment to teachers like Peter or Paul, but this is misplaced because the growth comes from God.
Working for Reward, Not Salvation
Les clarifies that we work as believers to enhance God's kingdom and earn rewards, not to gain salvation, which is entirely by grace.
Laborers Together with God
Les teaches that we are God's fellow workers; we cannot do anything alone, but with God's help, we can accomplish His purposes.
Salvation by Faith, Not Works
Les emphasizes that salvation is not by works but by faith, and that we cannot earn anything from God—He never owes us anything.
All From God, None From Us
Les stresses that even in maintaining salvation, we cannot boast of our works; God has done everything, and we simply appropriate it by faith.
Faith Applied Results in Action
Les teaches that when we are saved by faith, we naturally become busy for God, sharing the gospel and having concern for the lost.
Human Instruments in Salvation
Les explains that God uses people to lead others to salvation, but the power and credit belong to God.
Power is of God, Not Us
Les emphasizes that the excellence of the power is of God, not of us, so that no man can take credit for spiritual results.
1 Corinthians 3:6: I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
This verse directly answers the question by showing that growth comes from God, not from the workers.
1 Corinthians 3:7: So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
This verse reinforces that human workers are nothing; only God matters in causing growth.
1 Corinthians 3:9: For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
This verse shows that believers cooperate with God, but He is the one who ultimately builds the church.
God alone is responsible for the growth. According to 1 Corinthians 3:6, Paul planted and Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. Les Feldick echoes this, teaching that while believers plant and water, the credit and the power belong to God.
Yes, believers are used as instruments to plant and water. Les Feldick notes that God usually uses one person to lead another to salvation, and encourages believers to be skilled in Scripture to share effectively. Yet, our role is secondary; God gives the increase.
No, man can never take credit for anything; it all must be of God. Les emphasizes that even the apostle Paul did not claim credit for the increase, and we must not boast in our works.
Watch the Teaching: Why Christians Are Divided — 1 Corinthians 3 Explained Verse by Verse