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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.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 3:12

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1 Corinthians 3:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK ει δε τις εποικοδομει επι τον θεμελιον τουτον χρυσον αργυρον λιθους τιμιους ξυλα χορτον καλαμην
ει ei G1487 if COND
δε de G1161 then Conj
τις tis G5100 one Indef-NSM
εποικοδομει epoikodomeō G2026 to build up/upon Verb-PAI-3S
επι epi G1909 upon/to/against Prep
τον ho G3588 the/this/who Art-ASM
θεμελιον themelios G2310 foundation Noun-ASM
τουτον ohutos G3778 this/he/she/it Dem-ASM
χρυσον chrusos G5557 gold Noun-ASM
αργυρον arguros G696 silver Noun-ASM
λιθους lithos G3037 stone Noun-APM
τιμιους timios G5093 precious Adj-APM
ξυλα xulon G3586 wood Noun-APN
χορτον chortos G5528 grass Noun-ASM
καλαμην kalamē G2562 straw/stubble Noun-ASF
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 3:12

ει ei G1487 "if" COND
This word means 'if' and is used to express conditions or questions. It appears in many Bible verses, such as Matthew 11:14 and Romans 8:25, introducing a condition or hypothesis.
Definition: εἰ, conjunctive particle, used in conditions and in indirect questions. __I. Conditional, if; __1. with indic, expressing a general assumption; __(a) pres.: before indic, pres., Mat.11:14, Rom.8:25, al.; before imperat., Mrk.4:23 9:22, Jhn.15:18, 1Co.7:9, al.; before fut. indic., Luk.16:31, Rom.8:11, al.; before pf. or aor., with negation in apodosis, Mat.12:26, Rom.4:14, al.; similarly, before impf., Luk.17:6, Jhn.8:39; before quæst., Mat.6:23, Jhn.5:47 7:23 8:46, 1Pe.2:20; __(b) fut.: Mat.26:33, 1Pe.2:20; __(with) pf.: Jhn.11:12, Rom.6:5, al.; __(d) aor.: Luk.16:11 19:8, Jhn.13:32, 18:23, Rev.20:15, al. __2. Where the assumption is certain = ἐπεί: Mat.12:28, Jhn.7:4, Rom.5:17, al. __3. Of an unfulfilled condition, with indic, impf., aor. or plpf., before ἄν, with imp. or aor. (see: ἄν, I, i). __4. C. indic., after verbs denoting wonder, etc., sometimes, but not always, coupled with an element of doubt: Mrk.15:44, 1Jn.3:13, al. __5. C. indic., as in LXX (Num.14:3o, 1Ki.14:45, al. = Heb. אִם), in oaths, with the formula of imprecation understood in a suppressed apodosis (WM, 627; Burton, §272): Mrk.8:12, Heb.3:11" (LXX) 4:3 (LXX). __6. Rarely (cl.) with optative, to express a merely possible condition: Act.24:19 27:39, 1Co.14:10 15:37, I Pe3:14, 17. __II. Interrogative, if, whether. __1. As in cl., in indir. questions after verbs of seeing, asking, knowing, saying, etc.: with indic. pres., Mat.26:63, Mrk.15:36, Act.19:2, 2Co.13:5, al.; fut., Mrk.3:2, Act.8:22, al.; aor., Mrk.15:44, 1Co.1:16, al.; with subjc. aor. (M, Pr., 194), Php.3:12. __2. As in LXX (= Heb. אִם and interrog. הֲ, Gen.17:17, al.; see WM, 639f.; Viteau, i, 22), in direct questions: Mrk.8:23 (Tr., WH, txt.), Luk.13:23, 22:49, Act.19:2, al. __III. With other particles. __1. εἰ ἄρα, εἴγε, εἰ δὲ μήγε, see: ἄρα, γε. __2. εἰ δὲ καί, but if also: Luk.11:18; but even if, 1Co.4:7, 2Co.4:3 11:16. __3. εἰ δὲ μή, but if not, but if otherwise: Mrk.2:21, 22 Jhn.14:2, Rev.2:5, al. __4. εἰ καί, if even, if also, although: Mrk.14:29, Luk.11:8, 1Co.7:21, 2Co.4:16, Php.2:17, al. __5. καὶ εἰ, even if, see: καί __6. εἰ μή, if not, unless, except, but only: Mat.24:22, Mrk.2:26 6:5, Jhn.9:33, 1Co.7:17 (only), Gal.1:19 (cf. ἐὰν μή, 2:16; see Hort., Ja., xvi); ἐκτὸς εἰ μή, pleonastic (Bl., §65, 6), 1Co.14:5 15:2, 1Ti.5:19. __7. εἰ μήν = cl. ἦ μήν (M, Pr., 46), in oaths, surely (Eze.33:27, al.): Heb.6:14. __8. εἴ πως, if haply: Act.27:12, Rom.1:10. __9. εἴτε . . . εἴτε, whether . . . or; Rom.12:6-8, 1Co.3:22 13:8, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 459 NT verses. KJV: forasmuch as, if, that, (al-)though, whether See also: 1 Corinthians 1:14; 2 Corinthians 10:7; 1 Peter 1:6.
δε de G1161 "then" Conj
This is a conjunction that means and, but, or then, used to connect ideas like in Matthew 1:2 and 2 Corinthians 6:15.
Definition: δέ (before vowels δ᾽; on the general neglect of the elision in NT, see WH, App., 146; Tdf., Pr., 96), post-positive conjunctive particle; __1. copulative, but, in the next place, and, now (Abbott, JG, 104): Mat.1:2ff., 2Co.6:15, 16, 2Pe.1:5-7; in repetition for emphasis, Rom.3:21, 22, 9:30, 1Co.2:6, Gal.2:2, Php.2:8; in transition to something new, Mat.1:18, 2:19, Luk.13:1, Jhn.7:14, Act.6:1, Rom.8:28, 1Co.7:1 8:1, al.; in explanatory parenthesis or addition, Jhn.3:19, Rom.5:8, 1Co.1:12, Eph.2:4, 5:32, al.; ὡς δέ, Jhn.2:9; καὶ . . . δέ, but also, Mat.10:18, Luk.1:76, Jhn.6:51, Rom.11:23, al.; καὶ ἐὰν δέ, yea even if, Jhn.8:16. __2. Adversative, but, on the other hand, prop., answering to a foregoing μέν (which see), and distinguishing a word or clause from one preceding (in NT most frequently without μέν; Bl., §77, 12): ἐὰν δέ, Mat.6:14, 23, al.; ἐγὼ (σὺ, etc.) δέ, Mat.5:22, 6:6, Mrk.8:29, al.; ὁ δέ, αὐτὸς δέ, Mrk.1:45, Luk.4:40, al.; after a negation, Mat.6:19, 20, Rom.3:4, 1Th.5:21, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2552 NT verses. KJV: also, and, but, moreover, now (often unexpressed in English) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:10; 1 Corinthians 12:9; 1 Peter 1:7.
τις tis G5100 "one" Indef-NSM
This pronoun refers to a person or thing in a general sense, as seen in Luke 9:49 and John 11:1. It can mean someone, anyone, or anything. This term is often used to describe an unspecified individual or object.
Definition: τις, neut., τι, genitive, τινός, enclitic indefinite pron., related to interrog. τίς as πού, πως, ποτέ to ποῦ, πῶς, πότε. __I. As subst., __1. one, a certain one: Luk.9:49, Jhn.11:1, Act.5:25, al.; pl., τίνες, certain, some: Luk.13:1, Act.15:1, Rom.3:8, al. __2. someone, anyone, something, anything: Mat.12:29, Mrk.9:30, Luk.8:46, Jhn.2:25, Act.17:25, Rom.5:7, al.; = indef., one (French on), Mrk.8:4, Jhn.2:25, Rom.8:24, al.; pl., τινες, some, Mrk.14:4, al. __II. II. As adj., __1. a certain: Mat.18:12, Luk.1:5 8:27, Act.3:2, al.; with proper names, Mrk.15:21, Luk.23:26, al.; with genitive partit., Luk.7:19, al. __2. some: Mrk.16:[8], Jhn.5:14, Act.17:21 24:24, Heb.11:40, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 490 NT verses. KJV: a (kind of), any (man, thing, thing at all), certain (thing), divers, he (every) man, one (X thing), ought, + partly, some (man, -body, - thing, -what), (+ that no-)thing, what(-soever), X wherewith, whom(-soever), whose(-soever) See also: 1 Corinthians 1:15; 2 Corinthians 12:17; 1 Peter 2:19.
εποικοδομει epoikodomeō G2026 "to build up/upon" Verb-PAI-3S
This word means to build up or upon something, like a spiritual foundation. Paul used it in 1 Corinthians 3:10 and Ephesians 2:20 to describe growing in faith.
Definition: ἐπ-οικοδομέω, -ῶ in NT, always metaphorically, of the spiritual life regarded as a building (Cremer, 449); __1. to build upon: 1Co.3:10 3:12 3:14; pass., Eph.2:20. __2. to build up: Col.2:7, 1Pe.2:5 (T, οἰκοδ- WH, Rec.), Ju 20.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: build thereon (thereupon, on, upon) See also: 1 Corinthians 3:10; Acts 20:32; Jude 1:20.
επι epi G1909 "upon/to/against" Prep
A preposition meaning upon, to, or against, often used to show location or direction, like in Matthew 6:10 where Jesus teaches us to pray for God's will to be done on earth. It can also indicate a sense of time or order.
Definition: ἐπί (before a smooth breathing ἐπ᾽, before a rough breathing ἐφ᾽), prep. with genitive, dative, accusative (accusative most frequently in NT), with primary sense of superposition, on, upon. __I. C. genitive, __1. of place, answering the question, where? __(a) of the place on which, on, upon: ἐπὶ (τ.) γῆς, Mat.6:10, 19, al.; τ. κεφαλῆς, 1Co.11:10; τ. νεφελῶν, Mat.24:3o, al.; like ἐν, in constr. praegn. after verbs of motion: βάλλειν, Mrk.4:26; σπείρειν, ib. 31; ἔρχεσθαι, Heb.6:7, al.; figuratively, ἐπ᾽ ἀληθείας (MM, see word ἀ.); of the subject of thought or speech, Gal.3:16; of power or authority, over, πάντων, Rom.9:5: τ. γάζης, Act.8:27; ἐξουσία, Rev.2:26 20:6; __(b) of vicinity, at, by: τ. θαλάσσης, Jhn.6:9; τ. ὁδοῦ, Mat.21:19; τοῦ βάτου, Mrk.12:26 (see Swete, in l.); with genitive of person(s), in the presence of, before, Mat.28:14, Act.23:30, 1Co.6:1, al. __2. Of time, __(a) with genitive of person(s), in the time of: ἐπὶ Ἐλισαίου, Luk.4:27; ἐπὶ Κλαυδίου, Act.11:28; ἐπὶ Ἀβιάθαρ ἀρχιερέως, when A. was high priest, Mrk.2:26; __(b) with genitive of thing(s), at, at the time of: Mat.1:11, Heb.1:2, 2Pe.3:3; ἐπὶ τ. προσευχῶν, Rom.1:10, Eph.1:16, 1Th.1:2, Phm 4. __II. C. dative, of place, answering the question, where? __(a) lit., on, upon: Mat.9:16, 14:8, al.; after verbs of motion (see supr., I, 1, (a)), Mat.9:16 Act.8:16; above, Luk.23:38; at, by, Mrk.13:29, Jhn.5:2, Act.5:9, al.; __(b) metaphorically, upon, on the ground of, Luk.4:4 (LXX); in the matter of, Mrk.6:52 (see Swete, in l.); upon, of, concerning, Act.5:35, 40; of the ground, reason or motive (Bl., §38, 2; 43, 3), Mat.18:3 19:9, Rom.12:12, al.; ἐφ᾽ ᾧ, for the reason that, because, Rom.5:12 2Co.5:4; after verbs of motion, over, Mat.18:13, Rom.16:19, al.; of a condition (cl.), Rom.8:20, 1Co.9:10; ἐπὶ δυσὶ μάρτυσιν (see Westc. on Heb.9:10), Heb.10:28; of purpose or aim, Eph.2:10, Php.4:10; of authority, over, Mat.24:47 Luk.12:44; of hostility, with dative of person(s) (cl.), against, Luk.12:52; in addition to (cl.), 2Co.7:13; of an adjunct, in, at, on, Php.1:3 2:17. __III. C. accusative, __1. of place of motion upon or over, answering the question, whither? __(a) lit., upon, over: Mat.14:28, 29, Luk.5:19, al. mult.; in NT also, answering the question, where? (as with genitive, dative), Mrk.4:38 11:2, Luk.2:25, Jhn.1:32; ἐπὶ τ. αὐτό, Act.1:15 2:1, al.; of motion to a vicinity, to, Mrk.16:2, Act.8:36, al.; __(b) metaphorically (in wh. "the accusative is more widely prevalent than it strictly should be," Bl., §43, 1); of blessings, evils, etc., coming upon one, with accusative of person(s), Mat.10:13 12:28, Act.2:17, Jhn.18:4, Eph.5:6, al.; of addition (dative in cl.), λύπη ἐπὶ λύπην, Php.2:27; ἐπικαλεῖν ὄνομα ἐπί (see: ἐπικαλέω), Act.15:17, Jas.2:7; καλεῖν ἐπί, to call after, Luk.1:59; of number or degree: ἐπὶ τρίς (cl. εἰς τ.), thrice, Act.10:16 11:10; ἐπὶ πλεῖον, the more, further, Act.4:17 2Ti.2:16 3:9 (see also infr., 2, (a)); ἐφ᾽ ὅσον (see infr., ib.), forasmuch as, Mat.25:40, 45, Rom.11:13; of power, authority, control, Luk.1:33, Act.7:10 Rom.5:14, Heb.3:6, al.; of the direction of thoughts and feelings, unto, towards, Luk.1:17 23:28, Act.9:35, 42, Rom.11:22, Gal.4:9, Eph.2:7, 1Ti.5:5, al.; of purpose, for, Mat.3:7, Luk.23:48; ἐφ᾽ ὅ πάρει (Rec. ἐφ᾽ ᾧ, Mat.26:50; of hostility, against, Mat.24:7, Mrk.3:24-26 10:11 13:8, Luk.9:5, Jhn.13:18, Act.7:54, 1Co.7:36, 2Co.1:23; Of reference, concerning, for (cl. usually dative), Mrk.9:12 15:24, Jhn.19:24, Rom.4:9. __2. Of time, __(a) during, for: Luk.4:25 (WH, txt., omits ἐπί), Act.13:31 16:18, Heb.11:30, al.; ἐφ᾽ ὅσον (χρόνον), as long as, for so long time as, Mrk.9:15 Rom.7:1, al. (for ἐφ᾽ ὅ in another sense, see supr., 1, (b)); ἐφ᾽ ἱκανόν (see: ἱ), Act.20:11; ἐπὶ πλεῖον (see supr., 1, (b)), yet longer, further, Act.20:9 24:4; __(b) on, about, towards (cl. εἰς): Luk.10:35 Act.3:1 4:5. __IV. In composition, ἐπί signifies: up, ἐπαίρω; upon, ἐπίγειος, ἐπιδημέω, ὠπικαθίζω; towards, επιβλέπω, ὠπεκτείνω; over (of superintendence), ἐπιστάτης; again, in addition, ἐπαιτέω; against, ἐπιορκέω, ἐπιβουλή. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 788 NT verses. KJV: about (the times), above, after, against, among, as long as (touching), at, beside, X have charge of, (be-, (where-))fore, in (a place, as much as, the time of, -to), (because) of, (up-)on (behalf of), over, (by, for) the space of, through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), with See also: 1 Corinthians 1:4; Acts 4:33; 1 Peter 1:13.
τον ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-ASM
The Greek word for 'the' or 'this', used to point out a specific person or thing, like in Acts 17:28. It can also mean 'he', 'she', or 'it'.
Definition: ὁ, ἡ, τό, the prepositive article (ἄρθρον προτακτικόν), originally a demonstr. pron. (so usually in Hom.), in general corresponding to the Eng. definite article. __I. As demonstr. pron. __1. As frequently in Hom., absol., he (she, it), his (etc.): Act.17:28 (quoted from the poet Aratus). __2. Distributive, ὁ μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, the one . . . the other: 1Co.7:7, Gal.4:22; pl., Act.14:4, 17:32, Php.1:16, al.; οἱ μὲν . . . ἄλλοι δέ, Mat.16:14, Jhn.7:12; οἱ μεν̀ . . . ὁδέ, Heb.7:21, 23. __3. In narration (without ὁ μὲν preceding), ὁ δέ, but he: Mat.2:14, Mrk.1:45, Luk.8:21, Jhn.9:38, al. mult. __II. As prepositive article, the, prefixed, __1. to nouns unmodified: ὁ θεός, τὸ φῶς, etc.; to abstract nouns, ἡ σοφία, etc., to pl. nouns which indicate a class, οἱ ἀλώπεκες, foxes, Mat.8:20, al.; to an individual as representing a class, ὁ ἐργάτης, Luk.10:7; with nom. = voc. in addresses, Mat.11:26, Jhn.19:3, Jas.5:1, al.; to things which pertain to one, ἡ χεῖρ, his hand, Mrk.3:1; to names of persons well known or already mentioned; usually to names of countries (originally adjectives), ἡ Ἰουδαία, etc. __2. To modified nouns: with of person(s) pron. genitive, μοῦ, σοῦ, etc.; with poss. pron., ἐμός, σός, etc.; with adj. between the art. and the noun, ὁ ἀγαθὸς ἄνθρωπος, Mat.12:35; the noun foll, by adj., both with art., ὁ ποιμὴν ὁ καλός, Jhn.10:11 (on ὁ ὄχλος πολύς, Jhn.12:9, see M, Pr., 84); before adjectival phrases, ἡ κατ᾽ ἐκλογὴν πρόθεσις, Rom.9:11. __3. To Other parts of speech used as substantives; __(a) neuter adjectives: τ. ἀγαθόν, etc.; __(b) cardinal numerals: ὁ εἶς, οἷ δύο, etc.; __(with) participles: ὁ βαπτίζων (= ὁ Βαπτιστής, Mat.14:2), Mrk.6:14; πᾶς ὁ, with ptcp., every one who, etc.; __(d) adverbs: τὸ πέραν, τὰ νῦν, ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος; __(e) infinitives: nom., τὸ θέλειν, Rom.7:18, al.; genitive, τοῦ, after adjectives, ἄξιον τοῦ πορεύεσθαι, 1Co.16:4; verbs, ἐλαχεν τοῦ θυμιᾶσαι, Luk.1:9; and frequently in a final sense, ἐξῆλθεν ὁ σπείρειν, Mat.13:3 (on the artic. inf., see Bl., §71). __4. In the neut. to sentences, phrases or single words treated as a quotation: τὸ Ἐι δύνῃ, Mrk.9:23; τὸ ἔτι ἅπαξ, Heb.12:27; τὸ ἀνέβη, Eph.4:9, al. __5. To prepositional phrases: οἱ ἀπὸ Ἰταλίας, Heb.13:24; οἱ ἐκ νόμου, Rom.4:14; neut. accusative absol., in adverbial phrases, τὸ καθ᾽ ἡμέραν, daily, Luk.11:3; τὸ κατὰ σάρκα, as regards the flesh, Rom.9:5. __6. To nouns in the genitive, denoting kinship, association, etc.: ὁ τοῦ, the son of (unless context indicates a different relationship), Mat.10:2, al.; τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ, the things that pertain to God, Mat.16:23; τὰ τῆς εἰρήνης, Rom.14:19 (cf. M, Pr., 81ff.; Bl, §§46, 47). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7033 NT verses. KJV: the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:1; 1 Corinthians 7:16; 1 Corinthians 11:24.
θεμελιον themelios G2310 "foundation" Noun-ASM
A foundation, like the one Jesus talks about in Luke 6:48-49, where a strong foundation is crucial for withstanding life's challenges. This concept is also used metaphorically in Romans 15:20 and Ephesians 2:20.
Definition: θεμέλιος, -ον (τίθημι), [in LXX for אַרְמוֹן, מוֹסָד, etc. ;] of or for a foundation; as subst., ὁ θ. (sc. λίθος), a foundation stone, foundation: Luk.6:48-49 14:29 (but see Deiss., BS, 123); pl., οἰ θ. (cl.), Heb.11:10 Rev.21:14, 19; neut., τὸ θ. (Arist., Phys., vi, 6, 10, LXX and later writers), Act.16:26; metaphorically, Rom.15:20, 1Co.3:10-12 Eph.2:20, 1Ti.6:19, 2Ti.2:19, Heb.6:1.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 15 NT verses. KJV: foundation See also: 1 Corinthians 3:10; Hebrews 6:1; Hebrews 11:10.
τουτον ohutos G3778 "this/he/she/it" Dem-ASM
This refers to a specific person or thing, like when Jesus says 'this is my body' in Matthew 26:26 and Mark 14:22.
Definition: οὗτος, αὕτη, τοῦτο, genitive, τούτου, ταύτης, τούτου, [in LXX chiefly for זֹאת ,זֶה ;] demonstr. pron. (related to ἐκεῖνος as hic to ille), this; __1. as subst., this one, he; __(a) absol.: Mat.3:17, Mrk.9:7, Luk.7:44, 45, Jhn.1:15, Act.2:15, al.; expressing contempt (cl.), Mat.13:55, 56, Mrk.6:2, 3, Jhn.6:42, al.; εἰς τοῦτο, Mrk.1:38, Rom.14:9; μετὰ τοῦτο (ταῦτα; V. Westc. on Jhn.5:1), Jhn.2:12 11:7, al.; __(b) epanaleptic (referring to what precedes): Mat.5:19, Mrk.3:35, Luk.9:48, Jhn.6:46, Rom.7:10, al.; __(with) proleptic (referring to what follows): before ἵνα (Bl., §69, 6), Luk.1:43, Jhn.3:19 (and freq.) 15:8, Rom.14:9, al.; before ὅτι, Luk.10:11, Jhn.9:3o, Act.24:14, Rom.2:3, al.; ὅπως, Rom.9:17; ἐάν, Jhn.13:35; __(d) special idioms: τοῦτο μὲν . . . τ. δέ (cl), partly . . . partly. Heb.10:33; καὶ τοῦτο (τοῦτον, ταῦτα), and that (him) too, Rom.13:11, 1Co.2:2, Heb.11:12; τοῦτ᾽ ἐστιν, Mat.27:46. __2. As adj., with subst.; __(a) with art. __(α) before the art.: Mat.12:32, Mrk.9:29, Luk.7:44, Jhn.4:15, Rom.11:24, Rev.19:9, al.; __(β) after the noun: Mat.3:9, Mrk.12:16, Luk.11:31, Jhn.4:13, Act.6:13, Rom.15:28, 1Co.1:20, Rev.2:24, al.; __(b) with subst. anarth. (with predicative force; Bl., §49, 4): Luk.1:36 2:2 24:21, Jhn.2:11 4:54 21:14, 2Co.13:1. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1281 NT verses. KJV: he (it was that), hereof, it, she, such as, the same, these, they, this (man, same, woman), which, who See also: 1 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 1:11.
χρυσον chrusos G5557 "gold" Noun-ASM
Gold is a valuable metal, often used for ornaments or coins, as seen in Matthew 2:11 and Revelation 9:7.
Definition: χρυσός, -οῦ, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for זָהָב ;] gold: Mat.2:11, Rev.9:7; of golden ornaments, Mat.23:16-17, 1Ti.2:9 (Rec., WH, mg.), Jas.5:3, Rev.17:4 (Rec., WH, mg.) Rev.18:12, 16 (Rec., WH, mg.); of images, Act.17:29; of gold coin, Mat.10:9.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 9 NT verses. KJV: gold See also: 1 Corinthians 3:12; Matthew 2:11; James 5:3.
αργυρον arguros G696 "silver" Noun-ASM
Silver refers to the valuable metal used to make coins and other items. In the Bible, silver is mentioned in Matthew 10:9 and Acts 17:29 as a form of currency. It was also used to create valuable objects.
Definition: ἄργυρος, -ου, ὁ (ἀργός, shining), [in LXX for כֶּסֶף ;] silver (on its relation to ἀργύριον, see MM, see word): Mat.10:9, Act.17:29, Jas.5:5, Rev.18:12.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 5 NT verses. KJV: silver See also: 1 Corinthians 3:12; James 5:3; Revelation 18:12.
λιθους lithos G3037 "stone" Noun-APM
A stone can be a literal rock or a figurative one, like a stumbling block. In the Bible, Jesus is called the stone that the builders rejected in Matthew 21:42.
Definition: λίθος, -ου, ὁ (and, in Att.., of precious stones, ἡ.) [in LXX for אֶבֶן, Gen.11:3, al.; λ. τίμιος, for פָּז, Psa.19:10 21:3, Pro.8:19, al. ;] a stone: Mat.4:6, al.; pl., Mat.3:9, al.; at the entrance of a tomb, Mat.27:60, 66 28:2, Mrk.15:46 16:3-4, Luk.24:2, Jhn.11:38, 32 11:41 20:1; λ. μυλικός, Luk.17:2, cf. Rev.18:21; of building stones, Mat.21:42, [44], Mat.24:2, Mrk.12:10 13:1-2, Luk.19:44 20:17-18 21:5-6 Act.4:11, 1Pe.2:7; metaphorically, of Christ, λ. ἀκρογωναῖος, ἐκλεκτός, ἔντιμος, 1Pe.2:6 (LXX); λ. ζῶν, 1Pe.2:4; προσκόμματος, 1Pe.2:8, Rom.9:33; of Christians, λ. ζῶντες, 1Pe.2:5; of precious stones, λ. τίμιος, Rev.17:4 18:12, 16 21:11, 19; ἴασπις, Rev.4:3; ἐνδεδυμένοι λ. καθαρόν, Rev.15:6 (λίνον, Rec., R, mg., see Swete, in l); metaphorically, λ. τίμιοι, 1Co.3:12; of the tables of the law, 2Co.3:7; of idols, Act.17:29 (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 55 NT verses. KJV: (mill-, stumbling-)stone See also: 1 Corinthians 3:12; Luke 24:2; 1 Peter 2:4.
τιμιους timios G5093 "precious" Adj-APM
Precious means something or someone is highly valued and loved. In the Bible, it is used to describe things like precious stones and the blood of Christ, as seen in 1 Peter 1:19 and Revelation 17:4.
Definition: τίμιος, -α, -ον (τιμή), [in LXX chiefly for יָקָר ;] valued, hence, __(a) precious, costly, highly valued: primarily, of money value, λίθος, Rev.17:4 18:12, 16 21:19; pl., 1Co.3:12; compar., -ώτεφος, 1Pe.1:7, Rec.; superl., -ώτατος, Rev.18:12 21:11; in extended sense, καρπός, Jas.5:7; αἷμα, 1Pe.1:19; ἐπαγγέλματα, 2Pe.1:4; __(b) held in honour, honoured, esteemed worthy: with dative, Act.5:34; ὁ γάμος, Heb.13:4; ψυχή, Act.20:24 (where τ. is pleonastic, see Page, in l).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 13 NT verses. KJV: dear, honourable, (more, most) precious, had in reputation See also: 1 Corinthians 3:12; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Peter 1:7.
ξυλα xulon G3586 "wood" Noun-APN
This word refers to wood or a wooden object, like a staff or a tree. It appears in Matthew 26:47 and 1 Corinthians 3:12 to describe various wooden items.
Definition: ξύλον, -ου, τό [in LXX chiefly for עֵץ ;] __1. wood: 1Co.3:12, Rev.18:12. __2. a piece of wood, hence, anything made of wood, as, __(a) a cudgel, staff: pl., Mat.26:47, 55, Mrk.14:43, 48, Luk.22:52; __(b) stocks, for confining the feet (Job.33:11, סַד) : Act.16:24; __(with) a beam to which malefactors were bound (late Gk.), in LXX, of a gibbet (Deu.21:22-23), in NT, of the Cross: Act.5:30 10:39 13:29, Gal.3:13, 1Pe.2:24. __3. In late writers (see MM, xvii), a tree (Gen.1:29, Isa.14:8, al.) : Luk.23:31; ξ. τῆς ζωῆς, Rev.2:7 22:2, 14 22:19.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 18 NT verses. KJV: staff, stocks, tree, wood See also: 1 Corinthians 3:12; Mark 14:43; 1 Peter 2:24.
χορτον chortos G5528 "grass" Noun-ASM
This word refers to grass or herbage, often used to describe a place for pasture, as in Matthew 13:26 and Mark 6:39.
Definition: χόρτος, -ου, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for עֶשֶׂב, also for חָצִיר, etc. ;] __1. an enclosure, a feeding place (Hom.). __2. food, esp. for cattle, grass: Mat.13:26 14:19, Mrk.4:28 6:39, Luk.12:28, Jhn.6:10, 1Co.3:12, Jas.1:10-11, 1Pe.1:24" (LXX), Rev.9:4; χ. χλωρός, Mrk.6:39, Rev.8:7.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 13 NT verses. KJV: blade, grass, hay See also: 1 Corinthians 3:12; Mark 4:28; 1 Peter 1:24.
καλαμην kalamē G2562 "straw/stubble" Noun-ASF
This word means a stalk of grain or stubble, like the leftover parts of a plant after harvest. It's used in 1 Corinthians 3:12 to describe something that's not very valuable. This word is about something weak or fragile.
Definition: καλάμη, -ης, ἡ (cf. κάλαμος), [in LXX chiefly for קַשׁ, Exo.5:12, Isa.5:24, al. ;] a stalk of corn, stubble: 1Co.3:12.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: stubble See also: 1 Corinthians 3:12.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 3:12

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (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

  1. What materials am I using to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ in my own life, and are they of lasting value?
  2. 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?
  3. 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?
  4. 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

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

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 3:12

Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Now [ de (G1161)] - "But." The "gold, silver, precious stones," which all can bear fire (Revelation 3:18;

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12

The apostle is discoursing metaphorically, he had compared the church of Corinth to a building, , and called them there God’ s building; they were built upon the doctrine of the gospel, the doctrine of the apostles and prophets, who had preached Christ to them, this was the foundation; and had told us, that none, by any pretence of right, could lay any other foundation. But there was to be a superstructure upon this foundation, which might be of various materials: he names six; three very good and excellent, gold, silver, and precious stones; three others vile and invaluable, wood, hay, stubble. By these he either means good or bad works, or rather, good or bad doctrines. Good doctrine is signified by the gold, silver, and precious stones mentioned; bad doctrine by the wood, hay, and stubble mentioned; by which may be understood various degrees of bad doctrine, as some doctrines are more pernicious and damnable than others, though the others also be false, unprofitable, trivial, and of no significancy to the good of souls, but bad, as they are unprofitable.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12

12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Ver. 12. Wood, hay, stubble] Rhetorical strains, philosophical fancies, that tend not to edification. There are those who together with the gold, silver, and ivory of sound and savoury truths, have, as Solomon’ s ships had, store of apes and peacocks, conceits and crotchets. Now if he that debases the king’ s coin, deserve punishment; what do they that, instead of the tried silver of divine truths, stamp the name and character of God upon Nehushtan, their own base brazen stuff?

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12

(12) Now if any man . . .—Better, But if any man.Precious stones.—Not gems, but grand and costly stones, such as marble. “Hay,” dried grass used to fill up chinks in the walls. “Stubble,” stalks with the ears of corn cut off, and used for making a roof of thatch. Many ingenious attempts have been made to apply the imagery of this passage in detail to various doctrines or Christian virtues, but it seems best to regard it as broadly and in outline bringing before the reader the two great ideas of permanent and ephemeral work, and the striking contrast between them. The truth brought forward is primarily, if not exclusively, for teachers. The image is taken from what would have met the eye of a traveller in Ephesus where St. Paul now was, or in Corinth where his letter was to be first read. It is such a contrast as may be seen (though not in precisely the same striking form of difference) in London in our own day. The stately palaces of marble and of granite, with roof and column glittering with gold and silver decorations, and close by these the wretched hovels of the poor and outcast, the walls made of laths of wood, with the interstices stuffed with straw, and a thatched roof above. Then arose before the Apostle’s vision the thought of a city being visited by a mighty conflagration, such as desolated Corinth itself in the time of Mummius. The mean structures of perishable wood and straw would be utterly consumed, while, as was actually the case in Corinth, the mighty palaces and temples would stand after the fire had exhausted itself. Thus, says St. Paul, it will be with the work of Christian teachers when the “day of the Lord is revealed in fire.” The fire of that day will prove and test the quality of each work.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12

Verse 12. If any men build - gold, silver, c.] 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, lawfully marry his step-mother; that it was necessary to incorporate much of the Mosaic law with the Gospel; and, perhaps, other matters, equally exceptionable, relative to marriage, concubinage, fornication, frequenting heathen festivals, and partaking of the flesh which had been offered in sacrifice to an idol; with many other things, which, with the above, are more or less hinted at by the apostle in these two letters.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 3:12

12. Now if any man build upon this foundation] It must be remembered that it is not the conduct of Christians, however applicable the principles here enunciated may be to it, but the doctrine of teachers which is spoken of here. The materials mentioned are of two classes, those that will endure fire, and those that will not. We may dismiss from our consideration such preaching as is dictated by vain-glory or self-interest, for the simple reason that it is not building upon Christ at all. The two kinds of preaching thus become, on the one hand that which leads to permanent results, the glory of God and the real well-being of man; and on the other, that which, though the offspring of a genuine zeal, is not according to knowledge.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 3:12

Now if any man - If any teacher in the doctrines which he inculcates; or any private Christian in the hopes which he cherishes. The main discussion doubtless, has respect to the teachers of religion.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:12

b. Every man’s work subject to the test of fire, 1 Corinthians 3:12-15.12. Any man—Any preacher of religion. Gold—Paul mentions six materials: three incombustible and precious, and three combustible and inferior.

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 3:12

SermonDescription
Zac Poonen 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
Leonard Ravenhill 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
Leonard Ravenhill 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
Compilations "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
Leonard Ravenhill "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,
Leonard Ravenhill 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
Compilations 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

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