10According to the grace of God given to me, as a master architect I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But let each person take care how he builds on it. [3:11] For no other foundation can anyone lay than what has been laid, which is Jesus Christ. [3:12] Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw — [3:13] each person's work will become evident, for the Day will make it clear, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test — will prove — what sort of work each person has done. [3:14] If anyone's work that he has built remains, he will receive a reward. [3:15] If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss — but he himself will be saved, yet as through fire.
1CO 3:10-15
Christ Our Foundation
In the world it was spoken into
In 1st-century Corinth, construction was a prominent and respected trade, with architects holding significant authority over building projects. The imagery of laying a foundation and building upon it would resonate deeply in a city known for its architectural innovations and frequent rebuilding after earthquakes. The mention of gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and straw reflects common materials used in construction, with the former symbolizing permanence and value, and the latter representing impermanence and flammability. The metaphor of fire testing the quality of materials was familiar in metallurgy and craftsmanship, where fire revealed the true nature of metals. For the Corinthian audience, this passage would evoke the idea of accountability in their communal and spiritual endeavors, emphasizing the enduring foundation of Christ and the necessity of building with care and integrity. The imagery also aligns with Jewish apocalyptic traditions, where fire symbolizes divine judgment and purification.
›See the receipts
How other translations render this
1CO 3:10
- KJV
- According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
- BSB
- By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.
- Koinōnos
- According to the grace of God given to me, as a master architect I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But let each person take care how he builds on it.
1CO 3:11
- KJV
- For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
- BSB
- For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
- Koinōnos
- For no other foundation can anyone lay than what has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1CO 3:12
- KJV
- Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
- BSB
- If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,
- Koinōnos
- Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw —
1CO 3:13
- KJV
- Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
- BSB
- his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each manʼs work.
- Koinōnos
- each person's work will become evident, for the Day will make it clear, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test — will prove — what sort of work each person has done.
1CO 3:14
- KJV
- If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
- BSB
- If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.
- Koinōnos
- If anyone's work that he has built remains, he will receive a reward.
1CO 3:15
- KJV
- If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
- BSB
- If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames.
- Koinōnos
- If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss — but he himself will be saved, yet as through fire.
Only verses where the wording diverges meaningfully are shown. Identical phrasings are suppressed.
Translator's notes
1CO 3:10
- master builder:The word translated 'master builder' refers to a chief architect or director of works, someone responsible for the entire design and oversight of a construction project, not just a skilled laborer.
1CO 3:12
- this:The word translated 'this' refers to 'gold.' The original text lists 'gold, silver, precious stones' as materials for building.
- precious,:The word translated 'precious' here is actually 'wood' in the original. The list of materials is 'gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw.'
1CO 3:13
- will prove.:The word translated 'will prove' carries the sense of testing something to determine its genuineness or quality, often through fire or scrutiny, to see if it passes the test.