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1 Corinthians 3:14

1 Corinthians 3:14 in Multiple Translations

If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.

If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

If any man’s work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward.

If any man's work comes through the test, he will have a reward.

Those whose building survives will be rewarded.

If any mans worke, that he hath built vpon, abide, he shall receiue wages.

if of any one the work doth remain that he built on [it], a wage he shall receive;

If any man’s work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.

If any man's work abideth which he hath built upon it, he shall receive a reward.

If any man’s work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

When a fire starts burning a house, it becomes clear whether the builders used materials in their work that will burn, or materials that will not burn. Similarly [MET], when God judges us, it will be clear whether we taught others things that were long-lasting and valuable or not. If the materials that are used to build a house are materials that do not burn, the builder will receive a reward [MET]. Similarly, if we have taught others things that are valuable and long-lasting, God will give us a reward.

If they did a good job, it will stay good a long time, like the good parts in the picture story. And if they did a good job, God will pay those good workers.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 3:14

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1 Corinthians 3:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK ει τινος το εργον μενει ο εποικοδομησεν μισθον ληψεται
ει ei G1487 if COND
τινος tis G5100 one Indef-GSM
το ho G3588 the/this/who Art-NSN
εργον ergon G2041 work Noun-NSN
μενει menō G3306 to stay Verb-PAI-3S
ο hos, hē G3739 which Rel-ASN
εποικοδομησεν epoikodomeō G2026 to build up/upon Verb-AAI-3S
μισθον misthos G3408 wage Noun-ASM
ληψεται lambanō G2983 to take Verb-FDI-3S
Greek Word Study

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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 3:14

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.
τινος tis G5100 "one" Indef-GSM
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.
το ho G3588 "the/this/who" Art-NSN
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.
εργον ergon G2041 "work" Noun-NSN
This term refers to work, toil, or occupation, and can also imply an act or deed. In the Bible, it is used to describe various tasks and activities, such as Jesus' work on earth and the deeds of Christians.
Definition: ἔργον, -ου, τό (originally Ϝέργον, work), [very frequently in LXX, chiefly for מַשֶׂה, מְלָאכָה, also for עֲבֹדָה, פֹּעַל, etc. ;] __1. work, task, employment: Mrk.13:34, Jhn.4:34 17:4, Act.13:2, Php.1:22 2:30, 1Th.5:13, al.; of an enterprise or undertaking (Deu.15:10, Wis.2:12), Act.5:38. __2. a deed, action: Tit.1:16, Jas.1:25 . listing, from λόγος, Luk.24:19, Rom.15:18, 2Th.2:17, 1Jn.3:18; ἐν λόγοις κ. ἔ., Act.7:22; of acts of God, Jhn.9:3, Act.13:41" (LXX), Heb.4:10, Rev.15:3; of Christ, Mat.11:2; esp. in Jo, e.g. 5:20, 36 7:3 10:38 14:11, 12 15:24; in ethical sense, of human actions (AR, Eph., 190), bad or good, Mat.23:3, Luk.11:48, Jhn.3:20, 21 Jas.2:14ff. 3:13, Rev.2:5 3:8; τὸ ἔ., collectively, Gal.6:4, Jas.1:4, 1Pe.1:17, Rev.22:12; τὸ ἔ. τ. νόμου, Rom.2:15; ἔ. ἀγαθόν, Rom.2:7, Col.1:10, 2Th.2:17, Tit.1:16, al.; καλόν, Mat.26:10, Mrk.14:6; pl. (as frequently in cl.), Mat.5:16, 1Ti.5:10, 25 Heb.10:24; ἔ. πίστεως, 1Th.1:3, 2Th.1:11; ἔ. πονηρά, Col.1:21, 2Jo.11; νέκρα, Heb.6:1 9:14; ἄκαρπα, Eph.5:11; ἔ. ἀσεβείας, Ju 15; τ. σκότους, Rom.13:12, Eph.5:11; ἔ. νόμου, Rom.3:20, 28 Gal.2:16 3:2, 5 10. __3. that which is wrought or made, a work: 1Co.3:13-15; τ. χειρῶν, Act.7:41; of the works of God, Heb.1:10; γῆ κ. τὰ ἐν αὐτῇ ἔ., 2Pe.3:10; τὸ ἔ. τ. θεοῦ, Rom.14:20. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 160 NT verses. KJV: deed, doing, labour, work See also: 1 Corinthians 3:13; John 3:20; 1 Peter 1:17.
μενει menō G3306 "to stay" Verb-PAI-3S
This word means 'to stay' and is used to describe remaining in a place or state. It appears in Matthew and John to describe Jesus and the Holy Spirit staying with someone. It's often translated as 'abide' or 'remain'.
Definition: μένω, [in LXX for קוּם ,עמד, etc. ;] to stay, abide, remain. __1. Intrans.; __(i) of place: before ἐν, Luk.8:27, al.; παρά, with dative of person(s), Jhn.1:40, al; σύν, Luk.1:56; καθ᾽ ἑαυτόν, Act.28:16; with adv., ἐκεῖ, Mat.10:11; ὧδε, Mat.26:38; metaphorically, 1Jn.2:18; of the Holy Spirit, Jhn.1:32, 33 14:17; of Christ, Jhn.6:56 15:4, al.; ὁ θεός, 1Jn.4:15, conversely, of Christians, Jhn.6:56 15:4, 1Jn.4:15, al.; ὁ λόγος τ. θεοῦ, 1Jn.2:14; ἡ ἀλήθεια, II Jo 2, al. __(ii) Of time; __(a) of persons: Php.1:25; before εἰς τ. αἰῶνα, Jhn.12:34, Heb.7:24, 1Jn.2:17; ὀλίγον, Rev.17:10; ἕως ἔρχομαι, Jhn.21:22, 23; __(b) of things, lasting or enduring: cities, Mat.11:23, Heb.13:14; λόγος θεοῦ, 1Pe.1:23; ἁμαρτία, Jhn.9:41. __(iii) Of condition: with pred., μόνος, Jhn.12:24; ἄγαμος, 1Co.7:11; πιστός, 2Ti.2:13; ἱερεύς, Heb.7:3; with adv., οὕτως, 1Co.7:40; ὡς κἀγώ, ib. 8; before ἐν, ib. 20, 24. __2. Trans. (Bl., §34, 1; Field, Notes, 132): with accusative of person(s), Act.20:5, 23 (cf. ἀνα-, δια-, ἐν-, ἐπι-, κατα-, παρα-, συν-παρα-, περι-, προσ-, ὑπο-μένω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 105 NT verses. KJV: abide, continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own See also: 1 Corinthians 3:14; Hebrews 7:24; 1 Peter 1:23.
ο hos, hē G3739 "which" Rel-ASN
The word which is a pronoun used to ask for or identify something, as seen in John 5:11. It can also be used to describe a person or thing, such as in Mark 15:23. This word helps to clarify or specify what is being talked about.
Definition: ὅς, ἥ, ὅ, the postpositive article (ἄρθρον ὑποτακτικόν). __I. As demonstr. pron. = οὗτος, ὅδε, this, that, also for αὐτός, chiefly in nom.: ὅς δέ, but he (cf. ἦ δὲ ὅς, frequently in Plat.), Mrk.15:23, Jhn.5:11; ὃς μὲν . . . ὃς δέ, the one . . . the other, Mat.21:35, 22:5, 25:15, Luk.23:33, Act.27:14, Rom.14:5, 1Co.11:21, 2Co.2:18, Ju 22; neut., ὃ μὲν . . . ὃ δέ, the one . . . the other, some . . . some, Mat.13:8, 23, Rom.9:21; ὃς (ὃ) μὲν . . . (ἄλλος (ἄλλο)) . . . ἕτερος, Mrk.4:4, Luk.8:5, 1Co.12:8-10; οὓς μέν, absol., 1Co.12:28; ὃς μὲν . . . ὁ δέ, Rom.14:2. __II. As relat. pron., who, which, what, that; __1. agreeing in gender with its antecedent, but differently governed as to case: Mat.2:9, Luk.9:9, Act.20:18, Rom.2:29, al. mult. __2. In variation from the common construction; __(a) in gender, agreeing with a noun in apposition to the antecedent: Mrk.15:16, Gal.3:16, Eph.6:17, al.; constr. ad sensum: Jhn.6:9, Col.2:19, 1Ti.3:16, Rev.13:14, al.; __(b) in number, constr. ad sensum: Act.15:36, 2Pe.3:1; __(with) in case, by attraction to the case of the antecedent (Bl., §50, 2): Jhn.4:18, Act.3:21, Rom.15:18, 1Co.6:19, Eph.1:8, al. __3. The neut. ὅ with nouns of other gender and with phrases, which thing, which term: Mrk.3:17 12:42, Jhn.1:39, Col.3:14, al.; with a sentence, Act.2:32, Gal.2:10, 1Jn.2:8, al. __4. With ellipse of a demonstrative (οὗτος or ἐκεῖνος), before or after: before, Mat.20:23, Luk.7:43, Rom.10:14, al.; after, Mat.10:38, Mrk.9:40, Jhn.19:22, Rom.2:1 al. __5. Expressing purpose, end or cause: Mat.11:10 (who = that he may), Mrk.1:2, Heb.12:6 al. __6. C. prep, as periphrasis for conjc.: ἀνθ᾽ ὧν ( = ἀντὶ τούτων ὧν), because, Luk.1:20, al.; wherefore, Luk.12:3; ἐξ οὗ, since, for that, Rom.5:12; ἀφ᾽ οὗ, since (temporal), Luk.13:25; ἐξ οὗ, whence, Php.3:20; etc. __7. With particles: ὃς ἄν (ἐάν), see: ἄν, ἐάν; ὃς καί, Mrk.3:19, Jhn.21:20, Rom.5:2, al.; ὃς καὶ αὐτός, Mat.27:57. __8. Gen., οὗ, absol., as adv. (see: οὗ). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1230 NT verses. KJV: one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc See also: 1 Corinthians 1:8; 1 Peter 5:9; 1 Peter 1:6.
εποικοδομησεν epoikodomeō G2026 "to build up/upon" Verb-AAI-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.
μισθον misthos G3408 "wage" Noun-ASM
A wage is payment for work done, and can be good or bad. The Bible talks about wages in Matthew 20:8 and 1 Timothy 5:18.
Definition: μισθός, -οῦ, ὁ [in LXX chiefly for שָׂכָר ;] __1. prop., wages, hire: Mat.20:8, Luk.10:7, Rom.4:4, 1Ti.5:18, Jas.5:4, Ju 11; μ. ἀδικίας, Act.1:18, 2Pe.2:13 (but see Mayor and ICC, in l), 2Pe.2:15. __2. Generally, reward: Jhn.4:36, 1Co.9:18; esp. of divine rewards, Mat.5:12 6:1-2, 5 6:16 10:41-42 Mrk.9:41, Luk.6:23, 35, 1Co.3:8 3:14, 2Jn.8, Rev.11:18 22:12; ἔχειν μ., Mat.5:46, 1Co.9:17.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 28 NT verses. KJV: hire, reward, wages See also: 1 Corinthians 3:8; Luke 10:7; James 5:4.
ληψεται lambanō G2983 "to take" Verb-FDI-3S
To take or receive something, like in Matthew 26:26, where Jesus takes bread and breaks it. It can also mean to accept or obtain something, and is often translated as receive or accept in the KJV.
Definition: λαμβάνω, [in LXX chiefly for לקח, also for אחז ,לכד ,נשׂא, etc. ;] __1. to take, lay hold of: absol., Mat.26:26, Mrk.14:22; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.5:40 26:52, al. mult.; with accusative of person(s), Mat.21:35, Mrk.12:3, al.; pleonastic λαβών (M, Pr., 230; Bl., §74, 2), Mat.13:31 14:19, al.; so also indic., Mrk.7:27, Jhn.19:1, 40 Rev.8:5, al.; metaphorically, with accusative of thing(s), ἀφορμήν, Rom.7:8, 11; ὑδόδειγμα, Jas.5:10; id. with accusative of person(s), φόβος, Luk.7:16; πνεῦμα, Luk.9:39; πειρασμός, 1Co.10:13; aoristic pf. (M, Pr., 145, 238; BL, §59, 4), Rev.5:7 8:5, al. __2. to receive: absol., opposite to αἰτεῖν, Mat.7:8, al.; διδόναι, Mat.10:8, Act.20:35; with accusative of thing(s), Mat.27:6, Mrk.10:3o, al. mult.; with accusative of person(s), Jhn.6:21 13:20 19:27, 2Jo.10; ῥαπίσμασιν (a vulgarism; Bl., §38, 3), Mrk.14:65; metaphorically, τ. λόγον, Mat.13:20, Mrk.4:16; τ. μαρτυρίαν, Jhn.3:11; τ. ῥήματα, Jhn.12:48; πρόσωπον (Heb. נָשָׂא פָּנִים, Dalman, Words, 30), Luk.20:21, Gal.2:6; ζωὴν αἰώνιον (Dalman, op. cit., 124f.), Mrk.10:30 (cf. ἀνα-, ἀντι-, συν-αντι- (-μαι), ἀπο-, ἐπι-, κατα-, μετα-, παρα-, συν-παρα-, προ-, προσ-, συν-, συν-περι-, ὑπο-λαμβάνω). (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 248 NT verses. KJV: accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X when I call, catch, come on (X unto), + forget, have, hold, obtain, receive (X after), take (away, up) See also: 1 Corinthians 2:12; John 10:18; 1 Peter 4:10.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 3:14

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Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 1 Corinthians 3:8 He who plants and he who waters are one in purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
2 Matthew 25:21–23 His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’ The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, ‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’
3 1 Corinthians 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.
4 Matthew 24:45–47 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of his household, to give the others their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.
5 1 Thessalonians 2:19 After all, who is our hope, our joy, our crown of boasting, if it is not you yourselves in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming?
6 Revelation 2:8–11 To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the First and the Last, who died and returned to life. I know your affliction and your poverty—though you are rich! And I am aware of the slander of those who falsely claim to be Jews, but are in fact a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who overcomes will not be harmed by the second death.
7 1 Peter 5:4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.
8 1 Peter 5:1 As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you:
9 Daniel 12:3 Then the wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever.
10 2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

1 Corinthians 3:14 Summary

[This verse tells us that if the things we build for God, like our service and good works, are strong and good, we will get a reward from Him. This reward is not just about getting something, but about knowing that God is pleased with us, as we see in Matthew 25:21. We can build strong things for God by using valuable materials like faith, hope, and love, as seen in 1 Corinthians 13:13. By doing so, we can be confident that our work will survive the test of fire and we will receive a reward from the Lord.]

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of reward can we expect if our work survives the test of fire?

The reward is not explicitly stated in 1 Corinthians 3:14, but based on other scriptures like 1 Corinthians 4:5 and Matthew 25:21, it is likely a reward of praise and commendation from the Lord, as well as a deeper understanding of His joy and glory.

How can we build on the foundation of Jesus Christ in such a way that our work will survive the fire?

According to 1 Corinthians 3:12, we can build with gold, silver, and precious stones, which represent the valuable and lasting materials of faith, hope, and love, as seen in 1 Corinthians 13:13 and Colossians 1:4-5.

Is the reward mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3:14 the same as salvation?

No, the reward mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3:14 is distinct from salvation, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:15, which states that even if a person's work is burned up, they will still be saved, but they will suffer loss and not receive a reward.

What is the significance of the fire that tests our work?

The fire mentioned in 1 Corinthians 3:13 represents the refining and purifying power of God's judgment, as seen in Malachi 3:2-3 and 1 Peter 1:7, which tests the quality of our work and reveals what is truly valuable and lasting.

Reflection Questions

  1. What kind of 'building materials' am I using in my daily life to serve the Lord, and will they survive the test of fire?
  2. How can I ensure that my work and service to the Lord are motivated by a desire to please Him, rather than to impress others?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I may be 'building with wood, hay, or straw', and how can I replace those materials with more lasting ones?
  4. How can I cultivate a deeper understanding of God's joy and glory, and what role does that play in my motivation to serve Him?

Gill's Exposition on 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

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 3:14

If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. Abide - the testing fire (Matthew 3:11-12). Which he hath built thereupon - on the foundation. Reward - wages, as a builder.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:14

If any preacher keeps the foundation, and the doctrine which he hath built upon the true foundation prove consonant to the will of Christ, God will reward him for his labour: he shall hear the voice saying: Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:14

14 If any man’ s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. Ver. 14. If any man’ s work abide] Error as glass is bright, but brittle, and cannot endure the hammer or fire, as gold can, which, though rubbed or melted, remains firm and orient.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:14

(14) This is the general application to Christian teachers of what has gone before. Those who have built well shall have their reward in their work having survived the trial of the fire; those who have built otherwise shall lose everything—their work, which should have remained as their reward, will perish in the fire—and they themselves will be as men who only make good their escape by rushing through a conflagration, leaving all that was theirs to be destroyed. (See Mark 9:49.)

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:14

Verse 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 system that was to pass away, should be made sufficiently manifest; and God would then show that the Gospel, and that alone, was that system of doctrine which he should bless and protect, and none other. He shall receive a reward.] He has not only preached the truth, but he has laboured in the word and doctrine. And the reward is to be according to the labour. See note on 1 Corinthians 3:8.

Barnes' Notes on 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

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:14

14. Abide—Unconsumed. Built thereupon—Upon Christ, the true foundation; for those who build not on Christ but reject him, will not only suffer loss but be lost.

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 3:14

SermonDescription
Milton Green (Fury of Fire) 07 - Close to Being Cursed by Milton Green The video discussed the importance of receiving revelation from the Word of God, even if it conflicts with previous teachings or traditions. The speaker emphasized the need to foll
Les Wheeldon The Church - Part 3 by Les Wheeldon In this sermon, the speaker shares a powerful story of a woman who encountered a dangerous criminal in a shopping mall. Despite the man's evil intentions, the woman boldly spoke to
St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite Concerning Mortal Sins, Pardonable Sins, and Sins of Omission by St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite St. Nikodemos the Hagiorite preaches about the importance of understanding the different categories of sins - mortal, pardonable, and sins of omission. Mortal sins corrupt the love
John F. Walvoord Part 25: Pretribulationalism (Continued) by John F. Walvoord John F. Walvoord preaches on the necessity of an interval between the translation of the church and the establishment of the millennial kingdom, supported by a careful study of Scr
A.W. Tozer Our Future Rewards by A.W. Tozer A.W. Tozer emphasizes that our motives in the Christian life should be genuine and rooted in love for God, rather than solely for the rewards He offers. He reassures believers that
Leonard Ravenhill Revival Series 5 by Leonard Ravenhill In this sermon, the preacher discusses the downfall of those who have gained wealth and power through dishonest means. He emphasizes that their kingdom will eventually perish, whil
Zac Poonen (1 Corinthians) ch.3:1-3:17 by Zac Poonen In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the importance of building our lives and work on the foundation of Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that in the final day of judgment, God will t

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