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

10According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. 14If any man’s work which he has built on it remains, 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

• Nowδέde · thenG1161
• ifεἰei · ifG1487
• anyτιςtis · oneG5100
• buildsἐποικοδομέωepoikodomeō · to build up/uponG2026
• with goldχρυσίονchrusion · goldG5553
• silverἀργύριονargurion · moneyG694
• preciousτίμιοςtimios · preciousG5093
• stonesλίθοςlithos · stoneG3037
• woodξύλονxulon · woodG3586
• hayχόρτοςchortos · grassG5528
• strawκαλάμηkalamē · straw/stubbleG2562

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 3:12

• Psalms 19:10They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
• Psalms 119:72The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
• Proverbs 8:10Take my instruction and not silver, And knowledge rather than choicest gold.
• Proverbs 16:16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
• Isaiah 60:17Instead of bronze I will bring gold, And instead of iron I will bring silver, And instead of wood, bronze, And instead of stones, iron. And I will make peace your administrators And righteousness your overseers.
• 1 Timothy 4:6In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
• 2 Timothy 2:20Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
• 1 Peter 1:7so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
• Revelation 3:18I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.
• Isaiah 54:11“O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, Behold, I will set your stones in antimony, And your foundations I will lay in sapphires.
• Revelation 21:18The material of the wall was jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
• Proverbs 30:6Do not add to His words Or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.
• Jeremiah 23:28The prophet who has a dream may relate his dream, but let him who has My word speak My word in truth. What does straw have in common with grain?” declares the Lord.
• Matthew 15:6he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
• Acts 20:30and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them.
• Romans 16:17Now I urge you, brethren, keep your eye on those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the teaching which you learned, and 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