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 King James Version (NKJV)For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Context of 1 Corinthians 3:11

9For we are both God’s workers. And you are God’s field. You are God’s building. 10Because of God’s grace to me, I have laid the foundation like an expert builder. Now others are building on it. But whoever is building on this foundation must be very careful. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 12Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person’s work has any value.

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, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Look! I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem, a firm and tested stone. It is a precious cornerstone that is safe to build on. Whoever believes need never be shaken.
• Matthew 16:18Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
• Acts 4:11For Jesus is the one referred to in the Scriptures, where it says, ‘The stone that you builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.’
• 2 Corinthians 11:2For I am jealous for you with the jealousy of God himself. I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.
• Galatians 1:7but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ.
• Ephesians 2:20Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
• 2 Timothy 2:19But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.”
• 1 Peter 2:6As the Scriptures say, “I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.”

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