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 Living Translation (NLT)Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw.

Context of 1 Corinthians 3:12

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. 11For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now 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. 14If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, 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 19:10More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
• Psalms 119:72The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of coins of gold and silver.
• Proverbs 8:10Receive my instruction, and not silver, And knowledge rather than choice gold;
• Proverbs 16:16How much better to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
• Isaiah 60:17“Instead of bronze I will bring gold, Instead of iron I will bring silver, Instead of wood, bronze, And instead of stones, iron. I will also make your officers peace, And your magistrates righteousness.
• 1 Timothy 4:6If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.
• 2 Timothy 2:20But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
• 1 Peter 1:7that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,
• Revelation 3:18I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
• Isaiah 54:11“O you afflicted one, Tossed with tempest, and not comforted, Behold, I will lay your stones with colorful gems, And lay your foundations with sapphires.
• Revelation 21:18The construction of its wall was of jasper; and the city was pure gold, like clear glass.
• Proverbs 30:6Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
• Jeremiah 23:28“The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; And he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?” says the Lord.
• Matthew 15:6then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition.
• Acts 20:30Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
• Romans 16:17Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and 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
• Builder
• Dear; Dearly
• Grass
• Immortal; Immortality
• 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