1 Corinthians 3:12-15

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Here the apostle informs us what foundation he had laid at the bottom of all his labours among them?even Jesus Christ, the chief corner-stone, Eph. 2:20. Upon this foundation all the faithful ministers of Christ build. Upon this rock all the Christians found their hopes. Those that build their hopes of heaven on any other foundation build upon the sand. Other foundation can no man lay besides what is laid?even Jesus Christ. Note, The doctrine of our Saviour and his mediation is the principal... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

3:10-15 According to the grace of God that was given to me, I laid the foundation like a skilled master-builder, but another builds upon it. Let each see to it how he builds upon it; for no one can lay any other foundation beside that which is already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds upon that foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, straw, stubble, it will become quite clear what each man's work is. The Day will show it because it is going to be revealed by fire, and the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:12

Now if any man build upon this foundation ,.... The different materials laid by one and the same man, on this foundation, or the different doctrines advanced upon it, are some of them comparable to gold, silver, precious stones ; for their intrinsic worth and value; for the purity and sincerity of them; for their weight, importance, solidity, and substantiality; for their durableness; for the great esteem they are had in by those, who know the worth of them; and for the great usefulness... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:13

Every man's work shall be made manifest ,.... The doctrine he preaches shall be sooner or later made manifest to himself, and to his hearers; who shall see the inconsistency, irregularity, and deformity of such a building; at first so well laid, then piled up with such excellent materials, and at last covered in with such trifling or incoherent stuff: for the day shall declare it ; meaning not the day of judgment, though that is often called the day, or that day, and will be attended... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:14

If any man's work abide ,.... That is, if any minister's doctrine will bear the test of daylight, to be looked into, and abide the fire of the word; as gold, silver, and precious stones will, or such doctrines as are comparable to them, which will shine the brighter for being tried by this fire: which he hath built thereupon ; upon the foundation Christ, in entire consistence with, and proportion to it, and highly becoming it: he shall receive a reward ; either from the churches of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 3:15

If any man's work shall be burnt ,.... If any minister's doctrine he has preached shall be destroyed and disappear, shall be disapproved of, and rejected by the churches, not being able, to bear the light and heat of the fire of God's word: he shall suffer loss ; of all his labour and pains he has been at, in collecting together such trifling, useless, and inconsistent things; and of all that glory and popular applause he might expect from men, on account of them, and which was the snare... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:12

If 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 man may, on his father's death,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:13

The day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire - There is much difference of opinion relative to the meaning of the terms in this and the two following verses. That the apostle refers to the approaching destruction of Jerusalem I think very probable; and when this is considered, all the terms and metaphors will appear clear and consistent. The day is the time of punishment coming on this disobedient and rebellious people. And this day being revealed by fire, points out the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:14

If any man's work abide - Perhaps there is here an allusion to the purifying of different sorts of vessels under the law. All that could stand the fire were to be purified by the fire; and those which could not resist the action of the fire were to be purified by water, Numbers 31:23 . The gold, silver, and precious stones, could stand the fire; but the wood, hay, and stubble, must be necessarily consumed. So, in that great and terrible day of the Lord, all false doctrine, as well as the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 3:15

If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss - If he have preached the necessity of incorporating the law with the Gospel, or proclaimed as a doctrine of God any thing which did not proceed from heaven, he shall suffer loss - all his time and labor will be found to be uselessly employed and spent. Some refer the loss to the work, not to the man; and understand the passage thus: If any man's work be burned, It shall suffer loss - much shall be taken away from it; nothing shall he... read more

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