1 Corinthians 3:12
1 Corinthians 3:12 in Multiple Translations
If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble;
But on the base a man may put gold, silver, stones of great price, wood, dry grass, cut stems;
Those who build on that foundation may use gold, silver, precious stone, wood, hay, or straw—
And if any man builde on this foundation, golde, siluer, precious stones, timber, haye, or stubble,
and if any one doth build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw —
But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw,
Now if any man buildeth upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Now if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble:
Furthermore, people can build a house on its foundation with materials that are valuable and do not burn easily, such as gold, silver, and expensive jewels. Or they could build a house with materials that are not valuable and that burn easily, such as wood, hay, and straw.
I’ll tell you more of this picture story about the builders. Good builders build with really good things like gold, or silver, or jewels. But other builders don’t work properly, they don’t care, they only use wood, or grass, or leaves. If a fire comes, the parts of the house that are made of wood, or grass, or leaves, those parts will burn up. But the parts that are made of gold, or silver, or jewels, those parts will stay good. So you can know which builders did a good job. Christian workers are like those builders in the picture story. Some Christian workers do a good job and tell God’s word properly, and some don’t do a good job.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 3:12
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1 Corinthians 3:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 3:12
Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 3:12
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Corinthians 3:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 3:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 3:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 3:12
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 3:12
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12
- Sermons on 1 Corinthians 3:12
Context — Christ Our Foundation
12If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,
13his 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 man’s work. 14If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Timothy 4:3 | For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. |
| 2 | 2 Timothy 3:7 | who are always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. |
| 3 | 2 Timothy 2:20 | A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. |
| 4 | Colossians 2:18–23 | Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you with speculation about what he has seen. Such a person is puffed up without basis by his unspiritual mind. He has lost connection to the head, from whom the whole body, supported and knit together by its joints and ligaments, grows as God causes it to grow. If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations: “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!”? These will all perish with use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. Such restrictions indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-prescribed worship, their false humility, and their harsh treatment of the body; but they are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. |
| 5 | Hebrews 13:9 | Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace and not by foods of no value to those devoted to them. |
| 6 | Revelation 3:18 | I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, white garments so that you may be clothed and your shameful nakedness not exposed, and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. |
| 7 | Psalms 19:10 | They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb. |
| 8 | Psalms 119:72 | The law from Your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of gold and silver. |
| 9 | 1 Peter 1:7 | so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. |
| 10 | Matthew 15:6–9 | he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you: ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’ ” |
1 Corinthians 3:12 Summary
This verse is saying that when we become followers of Jesus Christ, we have the opportunity to build on the foundation that He has laid, using different materials to represent our works and efforts. The materials we use, such as gold, silver, and precious stones, or wood, hay, and straw, will be tested by God and will reveal the quality of our work, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:13. We should strive to use the best materials, like gold and precious stones, which represent our wholehearted commitment to God, as encouraged in Colossians 3:23-24. By doing so, we can build a strong and lasting foundation that will bring us joy and reward in the end, as promised in 1 Corinthians 3:14.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ?
Building on the foundation of Jesus Christ means to construct our lives, ministries, and works on the basis of His teachings, death, and resurrection, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:11, where it says that no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
What are the materials mentioned in this verse and what do they represent?
The materials mentioned in this verse, such as gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, likely represent the quality and durability of our works, with gold, silver, and precious stones symbolizing valuable and lasting contributions, as opposed to wood, hay, and straw, which may represent less substantial or even worthless efforts, as will be revealed in 1 Corinthians 3:13.
How does this verse relate to our accountability before God?
This verse implies that our works will be judged by God, and we will be held accountable for how we have built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, as stated in Romans 14:12, where it says that each of us will give an account of ourselves to God, and in 2 Corinthians 5:10, which mentions that we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ.
What is the significance of using different materials to build on the foundation?
The use of different materials to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ may signify the varying levels of commitment, wisdom, and faith that believers exhibit in their service to God, as encouraged in Colossians 3:23-24, where we are called to work wholeheartedly for the Lord.
Reflection Questions
- What materials am I using to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ in my own life, and are they of lasting value?
- How can I ensure that my works are of the highest quality, like gold, silver, and precious stones, and not of inferior quality, like wood, hay, or straw?
- What are some areas in my life where I need to re-examine my building materials and make adjustments to align with God's will and purposes?
- In what ways can I build on the foundation of Jesus Christ in a way that will bring joy and reward in the future, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3:14?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 3:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 3:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12
Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 3:12
Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 3:12
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12
Sermons on 1 Corinthians 3:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Only One Life Will Soon Be Past by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of living a life that pleases God. He highlights the concept of appearing before the judgment seat of Christ, where believers |
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Judgement Seat - Part 2 by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the significance of our lives and actions in the context of the Judgment Seat of Christ, where every believer will be held accountable for their servic |
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The Judgement Seat of Christ - Part 2 (Alternate) by Leonard Ravenhill | Leonard Ravenhill emphasizes the significance of the Judgment Seat of Christ, where every believer's life and service will be evaluated. He contrasts the eternal rewards for faithf |
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"Book of Remembrance" by Leonard Ravenhill by Compilations | This sermon emphasizes the importance of living a life that is devoted to God, comparing our actions and words to materials like wood, hay, stubble, silver, gold, and precious ston |
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"Wood, Hay, and Stubble" by Leonard Ravenhill | This sermon emphasizes the contrast between the visible, superficial aspects of public ministry that may be like wood, hay, and stubble - catching attention but lacking true value, |
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Judgement Seat 1-31-91 - Part 3 by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of using our time wisely and building our lives on a solid foundation. He criticizes wasting time on trivial activities like |
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Christ - Part 2 (Compilation) by Compilations | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of living with the reality of eternity and everlasting life in mind. He highlights the temporary nature of this world, includ |



