1 Corinthians 3:14-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Christian work and its testing. I. CHRISTIAN WORK : 1. Should be rightly based. Christ is the only Foundation for the spiritual building. This Foundation may have been already laid for us by others where we are called to labour: if so, we must see that we are building upon it; if it be not laid, by "the grace of God" ( 1 Corinthians 3:10 ) we must seek to lay it without delay. All our teaching must rest upon Christ. He is not only the Omega to be ended with, but the Alpha to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

The Foundation and the superstructure. Under the figure of a building, the apostle continues to speak of the work of Christ's ministers, and specially of his own labours at Corinth. As the first to preach the gospel there, he had laid the foundation, upon which the teachers that succeeded him were to build. The reference is primarily to doctrine, but the principles apply to work and life as well. I. THE FOUNDATION . This is Jesus Christ the Mediator ( Isaiah 28:16 ; 1 Peter 2:6 ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Workmen and their works. St. Paul affirms that he had laid just such a foundation in Corinth as became a wise master builder. Like a good architect, he had made sure of a solid basis, but had the edifice in process of erection been true to the cornerstone? There was but one Foundation—Jesus Christ—and a man might build rightly or wrongly on it in the materials used. The range of substances which might be employed in the superstructure was large. Large it must needs be, for, it' the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:13-15

Final testings of our life work. In treating this passage it should be noted that the first and chief reference of it is to Christian teachers and their work, and that it can only in a second sense be applied to the ordinary Christian, and the kind of influence for good which he strives to exert. Still, a great principle is enunciated in St. Paul's counsel to the teachers, and we may give that principle a wide and general application. The apostle is, in this part of the Epistle, dealing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:13-23

The cure for the party spirit. Having still in mind the difficulty occasioned by those who claimed to be superior teachers; and gathered parties round them, the apostle proceeds to show that merely human wisdom is in itself worthless for spiritual purposes, and, therefore, that the possession of it alone is no reason for the exaltation of the teacher who is endowed with it." A man over confident in his superior knowledge is always a dangerous man. The most learned are always the most... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:14

If any man's work shall abide. St. Paul is speaking primarily of teachers, though, of course, his words apply by analogy to all believers. He shall receive a reward . One of the teacher's rewards will be his converts ( 1 Thessalonians 2:19 ), who will be "his joy and crown of glorying" ( Philippians 2:16 ); another will be "a crown of glory that fadeth not away" ( 1 Peter 5:2 , 1 Peter 5:4 ; Daniel 12:3 ); yet another will be fresh opportunities for higher labour ( Matthew 25:23... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:15

He shall suffer loss. He shall not receive the full reward to which he might otherwise look ( 2 John 1:8 ). He himself shall be saved . It is an inexpressible source of comfort to us, amid the weakness and ignorance of our lives, to know that if we have only erred through human frailty and feebleness, while yet we desired to be sincere and faithful, the work will be burnt, yet the workman will be saved. Some of the Fathers gave to this beautiful verse the shockingly perverted meaning... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:14

If any man’s work abide ... - If it shall appear that he hast taught the true doctrines of Christianity, and inculcated right practices and views of piety, and himself cherished right feelings: if the trial of the great Day, when the real qualities of all objects shall be known, shall show this.He shall receive a reward - According to the nature of his work. See the note on 1 Corinthians 3:8. This refers, I suppose, to the proper rewards on the Day of Judgment, and not to the honors and the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:15

If any man’s work shall be burned - If it shall not be found to hear the test of the investigation of that Day - as a cottage of wood, hay, and stubble would not bear the application of fire. If his doctrines have not been true; if he has had mistaken views of piety; if he has nourished feelings which he thought were those of religion; and inculcated practices which, however well meant, are not such as the gospel produces; if he has fallen into error of opinion, feeling, practice, however... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 3:14-15

1 Corinthians 3:14-15. If any maws work abide which he hath built, &c. If the superstructure which any minister of Christ raises on the true foundation, if the doctrines which he preaches can bear the test by which they shall be tried at that day, as being true, important, and adapted to the state of his hearers; and the converts which he makes by preaching these doctrines, be of the right kind, truly regenerated and holy persons, he shall receive a reward In proportion to his... read more

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