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.
• New International Version (NIV)For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already 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 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 God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.

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 28:16Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.
• Matthew 16:18And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
• Acts 4:11This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’
• 2 Corinthians 11:2For I am jealous for you with godly jealousy. For I have betrothed you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
• Galatians 1:7which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
• Ephesians 2:20having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone,
• 2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
• 1 Peter 2:6Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means 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
• Building
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Foundation
• Plant
• Builder
• Immortal; Immortality
• Man; New
• Paul, the Apostle

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