1 Corinthians 3:6

“I have planted, etc.] That is, ministerially; otherwise the planting of souls in Christ, and the implanting of grace in them, are things purely divine, and peculiar to God, and the power of his grace; but his meaning is, that he was at Corinth, as in other places, the first that preached the Gospel to them; and was an instrument of the conversion of many souls, and of laying the foundation, and of raising and forming a Gospel church state, and of planting them in it; Apollos watered; he followed after, and his ministry was blessed for edification; he was a means of carrying on the superstructure, and of building up souls in faith and holiness, and of making them fruitful in every good word…”

“I . . . planted, Apollos watered-- (Act 18:1; Act 19:1). Apollos at his own desire (Act 18:27) was sent by the brethren to Corinth, and there followed up the work which Paul had begun. God gave the increase--that is, the growth (Co1 3:10; Act 18:27). "Believed through grace." Though ministers are nothing, and God all in all, yet God works by instruments, and promises the Holy Spirit in the faithful use of means. This is the dispensation of the Spirit, and ours is the ministry of the Spirit.”

“I have planted - The apostle here compares the establishment of the church at Corinth to the planting of a vine, a tree, or of grain. The figure is taken from agriculture, and the meaning is obvious. Paul established the church. He was the first preacher in Corinth; and if any distinction was due to anyone, it was rather to him than to the teachers who had labored there subsequently; but he regarded himself as worthy of no such honor as to be the head of a party, for it was not himself, but God who had given the increase. Apollos watered - This figure is taken from the practice of watering a tender plant, or of watering a garden or field. This was necessary in a special manner in Eastern…”

“3:6 I planted: See Acts 18:1-11. • Apollos watered: See Acts 18:27–19:1.”

“I: Co1 3:9, Co1 3:10, Co1 4:14, Co1 4:15, Co1 9:1, Co1 9:7-11, Co1 15:1-11; Act 18:4-11; Co2 10:14, Co2 10:15 Apollos: Pro 11:25; Act 18:24, Act 18:26, Act 18:27, Act 19:1 God: Co1 1:30, Co1 15:10; Psa 62:9, Psa 62:11, Psa 92:13-15, Psa 127:1; Isa 55:10, Isa 55:11, Isa 61:11; Act 11:18, Act 14:27, Act 16:14, Act 21:19; Rom 15:18; Co2 3:2-5; Th1 1:5 1 Corinthians 3:7”