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 given to me, like a skilled master-builder I laid a foundation, but someone else builds on it. And each one must be careful how he builds. 11For no one can lay any foundation other than what is being laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, 13each builder’s work will be plainly seen, for the Day will make it clear, because it will be revealed by fire. And the fire will test what kind of work each has done. 14If what someone 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

Words taken from the KJV.

• Nowδέde · thenG1161
• ifεἰei · ifG1487
• any manτιςtis · oneG5100
• buildἐποικοδομέωepoikodomeō · to build up/uponG2026
• uponἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
• thisοὗτοςhoutos houtoi hautē hautai · this/he/she/itG3778
• foundationὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• foundationθεμέλιοςthemelios · foundationG2310
• goldχρυσόςchrusos · goldG5557
• silverἄργυροςarguros · silverG696
• preciousτίμιοςtimios · preciousG5093
• stonesλίθοςlithos · stoneG3037
• woodξύλονxulon · woodG3586
• hayχόρτοςchortos · grassG5528
• stubbleκαλάμηkalamē · straw/stubbleG2562

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 3:12

• Psalms 19:10They are of greater value than gold, than even a great amount of pure gold; they bring greater delight than honey, than even the sweetest honey from a honeycomb.
• Psalms 119:72The law you have revealed is more important to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. י (Yod)
• Proverbs 8:10Receive my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.
• Proverbs 16:16How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.
• Isaiah 60:17Instead of bronze, I will bring you gold, instead of iron, I will bring you silver, instead of wood, I will bring you bronze, instead of stones, I will bring you iron. I will make prosperity your overseer, and vindication your sovereign ruler.
• 1 Timothy 4:6By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.
• 2 Timothy 2:20Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use.
• 1 Peter 1:7Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold – gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away – and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.
• Revelation 3:18take my advice and buy gold from me refined by fire so you can become rich! Buy from me white clothing so you can be clothed and your shameful nakedness will not be exposed, and buy eye salve to put on your eyes so you can see!
• Isaiah 54:11“O afflicted one, driven away, and unconsoled! Look, I am about to set your stones in antimony and I lay your foundation with lapis-lazuli.
• Revelation 21:18The city’s wall is made of jasper and the city is pure gold, like transparent glass.
• Proverbs 30:6Do not add to his words, lest he reprove you, and prove you to be a liar.
• Jeremiah 23:28Let the prophet who has had a dream go ahead and tell his dream. Let the person who has received my message report that message faithfully. What is like straw cannot compare to what is like grain! I, the Lord, affirm it!
• Matthew 15:6he does not need to honor his father.’ You have nullified the word of God on account of your tradition.
• Acts 20:30Even from among your own group men will arise, teaching perversions of the truth to draw the disciples away after them.
• Romans 16:17Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid 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