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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Corinthians 3:12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_corinthians/3-12.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/46_1Co_03_12.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Corinthians 3:12 - Christ Our Foundation" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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<a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/3.htm">New King James Version</a> Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> Now if any man builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> If anyone builds on that foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> People may build on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw. <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> Some will use gold or silver or precious stones in building on the foundation; others will use wood or grass or straw. <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> Whether a person builds on this foundation with gold, silver, expensive stones, wood, hay, or straw, <a href="/msb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, <a href="/net/1_corinthians/3.htm">NET Bible</a> If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw; <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Now if any man buildeth upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And whether the building which any one is erecting on that foundation be of gold or silver or costly stones, of timber or hay or straw-- <a href="/web/1_corinthians/3.htm">World English Bible</a> But if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, or straw, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and if anyone builds on this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Now if anyone builds upon the foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and if any one doth build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw -- <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And if any one build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, stalks;<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Now if any man build upon this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble: <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But if anyone builds upon this foundation, whether gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble, <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/3.htm">New American Bible</a> If anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Now if any man build on this foundation gold, silver, or precious stones, or wood, or hay, or stubble; <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> And if a man builds on this foundation, gold or silver or precious stones, or wood, hay or stubble,<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> If any man builds on this foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble, <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But if any one builds upon the foundation, gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, timbers, hay, stubble; <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> now if upon this foundation somebody builds gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble: he that builds such work, <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> And whether the building which any one is erecting on that foundation be of gold or silver or costly stones, of timber or hay or straw-- <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> And, if any one builds on the foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> silver, precious stones, or wood, hay, stubble; <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=520" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/3.htm">Christ Our Foundation</a> …11For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/1487.htm" title="1487: Ei (Conj) -- If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.">If</a> <a href="/greek/5100.htm" title="5100: tis (IPro-NMS) -- Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.">anyone</a> <a href="/greek/2026.htm" title="2026: epoikodomei (V-PIA-3S) -- To build upon (above) a foundation. From epi and oikodomeo; to build upon, i.e. to rear up.">builds</a> <a href="/greek/1909.htm" title="1909: epi (Prep) -- On, to, against, on the basis of, at. ">on</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ton (Art-AMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">this</a> <a href="/greek/2310.htm" title="2310: themelion (N-AMS) -- From a derivative of tithemi; something put down, i.e. A substruction.">foundation</a> <a href="/greek/5557.htm" title="5557: chryson (N-AMS) -- Perhaps from the base of chraomai; gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin.">using gold,</a> <a href="/greek/696.htm" title="696: argyron (N-AMS) -- Silver as a metal. From argos; silver.">silver,</a> <a href="/greek/5093.htm" title="5093: timious (Adj-AMP) -- Of great price, precious, honored. ">precious</a> <a href="/greek/3037.htm" title="3037: lithous (N-AMP) -- A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone.">stones,</a> <a href="/greek/3586.htm" title="3586: xyla (N-ANP) -- From another form of the base of xestes; timber; by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance.">wood,</a> <a href="/greek/5528.htm" title="5528: chorton (N-AMS) -- Grass, herbage, growing grain, hay. Apparently a primary word; a court or garden, i.e. herbage or vegetation.">hay,</a> <a href="/greek/2562.htm" title="2562: kalamēn (N-AFS) -- Stubble, straw, the stalk. Feminine of kalamos; a stalk of grain, i.e. stubble.">or straw,</a> 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.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/matthew/7-24.htm">Matthew 7:24-27</a> Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock. / But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ... <a href="/ephesians/2-20.htm">Ephesians 2:20-22</a> built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone. / In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. / And in Him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in His Spirit. <a href="/1_peter/2-4.htm">1 Peter 2:4-5</a> As you come to Him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight, / you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. <a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm">2 Timothy 2:20-21</a> 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. / So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work. <a href="/revelation/21-18.htm">Revelation 21:18-21</a> The wall was made of jasper, and the city itself of pure gold, as pure as glass. / The foundations of the city walls were adorned with every kind of precious stone: The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third chalcedony, the fourth emerald, / the fifth sardonyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst. ... <a href="/isaiah/28-16.htm">Isaiah 28:16</a> So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken. <a href="/isaiah/60-17.htm">Isaiah 60:17</a> Instead of bronze I will bring you gold; I will bring silver in place of iron, bronze instead of wood, and iron instead of stones. I will appoint peace as your governor and righteousness as your ruler. <a href="/jeremiah/23-29.htm">Jeremiah 23:29</a> “Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?” <a href="/malachi/3-2.htm">Malachi 3:2-3</a> But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. / And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness. <a href="/proverbs/17-3.htm">Proverbs 17:3</a> A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts. <a href="/1_peter/1-7.htm">1 Peter 1:7</a> 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. <a href="/romans/15-20.htm">Romans 15:20</a> In this way I have aspired to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation. <a href="/1_timothy/6-19.htm">1 Timothy 6:19</a> treasuring up for themselves a firm foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. <a href="/2_corinthians/5-10.htm">2 Corinthians 5:10</a> For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad. <a href="/colossians/2-7.htm">Colossians 2:7</a> rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Now if any man build on this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;gold.<a href="/psalms/19-10.htm">Psalm 19:10</a> More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.<a href="/psalms/119-72.htm">Psalm 119:72</a> The law of thy mouth is better unto me than thousands of gold and silver.<a href="/proverbs/8-10.htm">Proverbs 8:10</a> Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.precious.<a href="/isaiah/54-11.htm">Isaiah 54:11-13</a> O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest, and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy foundations with sapphires… <a href="/revelation/21-18.htm">Revelation 21:18</a> And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass.wood.<a href="/proverbs/30-6.htm">Proverbs 30:6</a> Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.<a href="/jeremiah/23-28.htm">Jeremiah 23:28</a> The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.<a href="/matthew/15-6.htm">Matthew 15:6-9</a> And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/3-11.htm">Base</a> <a href="/romans/15-20.htm">Build</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-10.htm">Buildeth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-11.htm">Building</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-10.htm">Builds</a> <a href="/john/12-3.htm">Costly</a> <a href="/john/15-6.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-11.htm">Foundation</a> <a href="/acts/20-33.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/john/6-10.htm">Grass</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-26.htm">Great</a> <a href="/isaiah/15-6.htm">Hay</a> <a href="/acts/20-24.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/acts/22-28.htm">Price</a> <a href="/acts/20-33.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/john/10-31.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/jeremiah/23-28.htm">Straw</a> <a href="/malachi/4-1.htm">Stubble</a> <a href="/zechariah/5-4.htm">Timber</a> <a href="/romans/7-1.htm">Using</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-24.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/luke/23-31.htm">Wood</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_corinthians/10-1.htm">Base</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-23.htm">Build</a> <a href="/genesis/2-22.htm">Buildeth</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-14.htm">Building</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-1.htm">Builds</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-9.htm">Costly</a> <a href="/hebrews/11-29.htm">Dry</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-14.htm">Foundation</a> <a href="/1_timothy/2-9.htm">Gold</a> <a href="/james/1-10.htm">Grass</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-11.htm">Great</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-25.htm">Hay</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/9-15.htm">Precious</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/6-20.htm">Price</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/3-7.htm">Stones</a> <a href="/genesis/24-25.htm">Straw</a> <a href="/exodus/5-12.htm">Stubble</a> <a href="/exodus/31-5.htm">Timber</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/7-31.htm">Using</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-22.htm">Whether</a> <a href="/2_timothy/2-20.htm">Wood</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 3</div>1. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">Milk is fit for children.</a> 3. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-3.htm">Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind.</a> 7. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-7.htm">He who plants and He who waters are nothing.</a> 9. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-9.htm">The ministers are God's fellow workmen.</a> 11. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-11.htm">Christ the only foundation.</a> 16. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-16.htm">You are the temples of God, which must be kept holy.</a> 19. <a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>If anyone builds on this foundation The foundation referred to here is Jesus Christ, as established in the preceding verses. Paul emphasizes the importance of building upon the solid foundation of Christ, which is the cornerstone of the Christian faith (<a href="/ephesians/2-20.htm">Ephesians 2:20</a>). The imagery of building suggests the ongoing work of spiritual growth and the development of the church. This concept is rooted in the Old Testament, where God is often depicted as a builder (<a href="/psalms/127.htm">Psalm 127:1</a>).using gold, silver, precious stones These materials symbolize works of enduring value and quality. In the ancient world, gold, silver, and precious stones were used in the construction of temples and palaces, signifying beauty, durability, and worth. Spiritually, they represent the fruits of the Spirit and righteous deeds that withstand the test of time and divine judgment (<a href="/revelation/21-18.htm">Revelation 21:18-21</a>). The use of these materials can also be seen as a type of Christ, who is described as precious and chosen (<a href="/1_peter/2-4.htm">1 Peter 2:4-6</a>).wood, hay, or straw In contrast, these materials are perishable and lack the durability of gold, silver, and precious stones. They represent works that are superficial or of lesser spiritual value, which will not endure the refining fire of God's judgment (<a href="/1_corinthians/3-13.htm">1 Corinthians 3:13</a>). Historically, wood, hay, and straw were common building materials for temporary structures, highlighting their impermanence. This serves as a warning to believers to invest in what is spiritually significant and eternal, rather than what is fleeting and earthly.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth, providing guidance on spiritual maturity and the quality of one's work in Christ. 2. <a href="/topical/c/corinth.htm">Corinth</a> A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and moral challenges, where the early Christian church faced issues of division and immaturity. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_foundation.htm">The Foundation</a> Refers to Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the preceding verse (<a href="/1_corinthians/3-11.htm">1 Corinthians 3:11</a>), upon which believers are to build their lives and ministries. 4. <a href="/topical/b/builders.htm">Builders</a> Represents believers and church leaders who contribute to the growth and edification of the church through their teachings and actions. 5. <a href="/topical/m/materials.htm">Materials (Gold, Silver, Precious Stones, Wood, Hay, Straw)</a> Symbolic of the quality and durability of the work and teachings that believers contribute to the church.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_the_foundation.htm">The Importance of the Foundation</a> Jesus Christ is the only true foundation for our lives and ministries. All our efforts must be rooted in Him to have eternal value. <a href="/topical/q/quality_over_quantity.htm">Quality Over Quantity</a> The materials used (gold, silver, precious stones) symbolize enduring, valuable work. Our focus should be on the quality of our contributions to God's kingdom, not just the quantity. <a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a> Our works will be tested by fire (<a href="/1_corinthians/3-13.htm">1 Corinthians 3:13</a>). We should strive to build with materials that withstand this test, reflecting an eternal perspective in our actions and decisions. <a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a> Regularly assess the materials you are using in your spiritual life. Are they perishable like wood, hay, and straw, or enduring like gold, silver, and precious stones? <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_the_church.htm">Unity in the Church</a> Paul addresses divisions in the Corinthian church. Building with quality materials also means fostering unity and love within the body of Christ.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 3</a> <a href="/q/why_isn't_solomon's_wealth_found_archaeologically.htm">How can we reconcile the extravagant wealth of Solomon described in 2 Chronicles 9 (especially verses 13-28) with the lack of corresponding archaeological evidence?</a> <a href="/q/biblical_weights_and_measures.htm">What are the Biblical weights and measures?</a> <a href="/q/what_will_jesus_do_upon_his_return.htm">What will Jesus do upon His return?</a> <a href="/q/how_do_we_reconcile_labor_without_blessing.htm">(Psalm 127:2) How can we reconcile the idea that our labor is in vain without divine blessing with the evidence of personal accomplishments through diligence and skill alone? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(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.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 12. - Gold, silver. Perhaps St. Paul thought for a moment of the gorgeous metals . rod rich marbles used in the Corinthian temples, as well as in the temple at Jerusalem. But it is surely fantastic to suggest that his reference is an historical reminiscence of the melting of gold and silver in the burning of Corinth by Mummius, nearly two hundred years before. Costly stones; i.e. costly marble from Paros, Phrygia, etc. Wood, hay, stubble. These words seem to symbolize erroneous or imperfect doctrines, which would not stand the test, and which led to evil practices. Such were the" philosophy and vain deceit," "the weak and beggarly dements," "the rudiments of the world," of which he speaks in <a href="/galatians/4-9.htm">Galatians 4:9</a>; <a href="/colossians/2-8.htm">Colossians 2:8</a>. So in the Midrash Tehillin, the words of false teachers are compared to hay. The doctrines to which he alludes are not and christian, but imperfect and human - such, for instance, as, "Humanas constitutiunculas de cultu, de victo, de frigidis ceremoniis" (Erasmus). <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>If Εἰ (Ei) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1487.htm">Strong's 1487: </a> If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc. anyone τις (tis) Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5100.htm">Strong's 5100: </a> Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object. builds ἐποικοδομεῖ (epoikodomei) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2026.htm">Strong's 2026: </a> To build upon (above) a foundation. From epi and oikodomeo; to build upon, i.e. to rear up. on ἐπὶ (epi) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1909.htm">Strong's 1909: </a> On, to, against, on the basis of, at. [this] τὸν (ton) Article - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. foundation θεμέλιον (themelion) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2310.htm">Strong's 2310: </a> From a derivative of tithemi; something put down, i.e. A substruction. [using] gold, χρυσόν (chryson) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5557.htm">Strong's 5557: </a> Perhaps from the base of chraomai; gold; by extension, a golden article, as an ornament or coin. silver, ἄργυρον (argyron) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_696.htm">Strong's 696: </a> Silver as a metal. From argos; silver. precious τιμίους (timious) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5093.htm">Strong's 5093: </a> Of great price, precious, honored. stones, λίθους (lithous) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3037.htm">Strong's 3037: </a> A stone; met: of Jesus as the chief stone in a building. Apparently a primary word; a stone. wood, ξύλα (xyla) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3586.htm">Strong's 3586: </a> From another form of the base of xestes; timber; by implication, a stick, club or tree or other wooden article or substance. hay, χόρτον (chorton) Noun - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5528.htm">Strong's 5528: </a> Grass, herbage, growing grain, hay. Apparently a primary word; a 'court' or 'garden', i.e. herbage or vegetation. [or] straw, καλάμην (kalamēn) Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2562.htm">Strong's 2562: </a> Stubble, straw, the stalk. Feminine of kalamos; a stalk of grain, i.e. stubble. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 3:12 But if anyone builds on the foundation (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-11.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 3:11"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 3:11" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-13.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 3:13"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 3:13" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>