English Standard Version
1 Corinthians 3:14
14If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.
1 Corinthians 3:14 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
- New International Version (NIV)If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
- New King James Version (NKJV)If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
- New Living Translation (NLT)If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.
Context of 1 Corinthians 3:14
12Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. 16Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?
Read all of 1 Corinthians 31 Corinthians 3:14 word by word
εἴ τινος τὸ ἔργον μενεῖ ὃ ἐποικοδόμησεν, μισθὸν λήμψεται·Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Ifεἰei · ifG1487
- any man’sτιςtis · oneG5100
- workὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- workἔργονergon · workG2041
- abideμένωmenō · to stayG3306
- whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
- he hath built thereuponἐποικοδομέωepoikodomeō · to build up/uponG2026
- he shall receiveλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
- a rewardμισθόςmisthos · wageG3408
Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 3:14
- 1 Corinthians 3:8He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor.
- 1 Corinthians 4:5Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
- Daniel 12:3And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
- Matthew 24:45"Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?
- Matthew 25:21His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.'
- 1 Thessalonians 2:19For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you?
- 2 Timothy 4:7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- 1 Peter 5:1So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed:
- Revelation 2:8"And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 'The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 3:14
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 14If any man's work abide - Perhaps there is here an allusion to the purifying of different sorts of vessels under the law. All that could stand the fire were to be purified by the fire; and those which could not resist the action of the fire were to be purified by water, Numbers 31:23. The gold, silver, and precious stones, could stand the fire; but the wood, hay, and stubble, must be necessarily consumed. So, in that great and terrible day of the Lord…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 14If any man‘s work abide - If it shall appear that he hast taught the true doctrines of Christianity, and inculcated right practices and views of piety, and himself cherished right feelings: if the trial of the great Day, when the real qualities of all objects shall be known, shall show this. He shall receive a reward - According to the nature of his work. See the note on 1 Corinthians 3:8. This refers, I suppose, to the proper rewards on the Day of…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. 1414. abide--abide the testing fire (Mt 3:11, 12). which he hath built thereupon--which he built on the foundation. reward--wages, as a builder, that is, teacher. His converts built on Christ the foundation, through his faithful teaching, shall be his "crown of rejoicing" (2Co 1:14; Php 2:16; 1Th 2:19).Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Corinthians 3:14
In the dictionaries
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
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