1 Corinthians 3:11

1 Corinthians 3:11 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
• English Standard Version (ESV)For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
• New King James Version (NKJV)For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
• New Living Translation (NLT)For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.

Context of 1 Corinthians 3:11

9For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building. 10By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.

1 Corinthians 3:11 word by word

θεμέλιον γὰρ ἄλλον οὐδεὶς δύναται θεῖναι παρὰ τὸν κείμενον, ὅς ἐστιν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός.Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• ·ὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• Forγάρgar · forG1063
• otherἄλλοςallos · anotherG243
• foundationθεμέλιοςthemelios · foundationG2310
• canδύναμαιdunamai · be ableG1410
• no manοὐδείςoudeis · noneG3762
• layτίθημιtithēmi · to placeG5087
• thanπαράpara · from/with/besideG3844
• that is laidκεῖμαιkeimai · to lay/be appointedG2749
• whichὅςhos hē ho · whichG3739
• isεἰμίeimi · to beG1510
• JesusἸησοῦςIēsous · JesusG2424
• ChristΧριστόςChristos · ChristG5547

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 3:11

• Isaiah 28:16So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who relies on it will never be stricken with panic.
• Matthew 16:18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
• Acts 4:11Jesus is “ ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
• 2 Corinthians 11:2I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.
• Galatians 1:7which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ.
• Ephesians 2:20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
• 2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
• 1 Peter 2:6For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 3:11

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11Other foundation can no man lay - I do not speak particularly concerning the foundation of this spiritual building; it can have no other foundation than Jesus Christ: there cannot be two opinions on this subject among the true apostles of our Lord. The only fear is, lest an improper use should be made of this heavenly doctrine; lest a bad superstructure should be raised on this foundation.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11For other foundation - It is “implied” by the course of the argument here, that This was the foundation which had been laid at Corinth, and on which the church there had been reared. And it is affirmed that no other foundation can be laid. A foundation is that upon which a building is raised; the foundation of a church is the doctrine on which it is established; that is, the doctrines which its members hold - those truths which lie at the basis of their…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. 11The church's only foundation is Jesus Christ himself (see Isaiah 28:16; 1 Peter 2:4–8; compare Romans 9:33). However, the Corinthians risked making a human teacher their foundation.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. (Is 28:16; Ac 4:12; Ep 2:20). For--my warning ("take heed," &c. 1Co 3:10) is as to the superstructure ("buildeth thereupon"), not as to the foundation: "For other foundation can no man lay, than that which has (already) been laid (by God) Jesus Christ," the person, not the mere abstract doctrine about Him, though the latter also is included; Jesus, God-Saviour; Christ, Messiah or Anointed. can--A man can not lay any other, since the only one…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 3:11

• Church
• Cornerstone
• Doctrines
• House
• Jesus Continued
• Minister, Christian
• Stones

In the dictionaries

• Christ
• Jesus
• Christ, Messiah
• Jesus, Jesus Christ, Christ Jesus
• Jesus Christ
• Building
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Foundation
• Plant
• Build; Building

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