1 Corinthians 3:12

1 Corinthians 3:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
• New International Version (NIV)If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,
• English Standard Version (ESV)Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,

Context of 1 Corinthians 3:12

10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.

1 Corinthians 3:12 word by word

εἰ δέ τις ἐποικοδομεῖ ἐπὶ τὸν θεμέλιον χρυσόν, ἄργυρον, λίθους τιμίους, ξύλα, χόρτον, καλάμην,Read the interlinear

• ·δέde · thenG1161
• Ifεἰei · ifG1487
• anyoneτιςtis · oneG5100
• buildsἐποικοδομέωepoikodomeō · to build up/uponG2026
• onἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• foundationθεμέλιοςthemelios · foundationG2310
• goldχρυσόςchrusos · goldG5557
• silverἄργυροςarguros · silverG696
• preciousτίμιοςtimios · preciousG5093
• stonesλίθοςlithos · stoneG3037
• woodξύλονxulon · woodG3586
• hayχόρτοςchortos · grassG5528
• strawκαλάμηkalamē · straw/stubbleG2562

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 3:12

• Psalms 19:10They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.
• Psalms 119:72The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver.
• Proverbs 8:10Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.
• Proverbs 16:16How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.
• Isaiah 60:17Instead of bronze I will bring you gold; I will bring silver in place of iron, bronze instead of wood, and iron instead of stones. I will appoint peace as your governor and righteousness as your ruler.
• 1 Timothy 4:6By pointing out these things to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of faith and sound instruction that you have followed.
• 2 Timothy 2:20A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use.
• 1 Peter 1:7so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
• Revelation 3:18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
• Isaiah 54:11“O afflicted city, lashed by storms, without solace, surely I will set your stones in antimony and lay your foundations with sapphires.
• Revelation 21:18The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass.
• Proverbs 30:6Do not add to His words, lest He rebuke you and prove you a liar.
• Jeremiah 23:28Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.
• Matthew 15:6he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
• Acts 20:30Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.
• Romans 16:17Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them.

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 3:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12If any men build - gold, silver, etc. - Without entering into curious criticisms relative to these different expressions, it may be quite enough for the purpose of edification to say, that, by gold, silver, and precious stones, the apostle certainly means pure and wholesome doctrines: by wood, hay, and stubble, false doctrines; such as at that time prevailed in the Corinthian Church; for instance, that there should be no resurrection of the body; that a…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Now if any man - If any teacher in the doctrines which he inculcates; or any private Christian in the hopes which he cherishes. The main discussion doubtless, has respect to the teachers of religion. Paul carries forward the metaphor in this and the following verses with respect to the building. He supposes that the foundation is laid; that it is a true foundation; that the essential doctrines in regard to the Messiah are the real basis on which the…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-15Verses 10-15 The apostle was a wise master-builder; but the grace of God made him such. Spiritual pride is abominable; it is using the greatest favours of God, to feed our own vanity, and make idols of ourselves. But let every man take heed; there may be bad building on a good foundation. Nothing must be laid upon it, but what the foundation will bear, and what is of a piece with it. Let us not dare to join a merely human or a carnal life with a Divine…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12-15Some things people build on Christ's foundation will last. Others will burn in judgment (see Malachi 4:1). On judgment day, the work of each church teacher will be evaluated (see James 3:1; also Romans 14:10–12; 2 Corinthians 5:10). Those with faithful teachings will earn a reward. Others will face great loss, not of salvation but of reward. They will be saved, but barely, like someone rescued through flames (see Amos 4:11; Zechariah 3:2; Jude 1:23).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. Now--rather, "But." The image is that of a building on a solid foundation, and partly composed of durable and precious, partly of perishable, materials. The "gold, silver, precious stones," which all can withstand fire (Re 21:18, 19), are teachings that will stand the fiery test of judgment; "wood, hay, stubble," are those which cannot stand it; not positive heresy, for that would destroy the foundation, but teaching mixed up with human philosophy and…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 3:12

• Church
• Gold
• Hay
• Judgment
• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Precious Stones
• Building
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Foundation
• Plant
• Build; Building
• Builder
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Dear; Dearly
• Grass

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings