JESUS CHRIST THE ONLY FOUNDATION
Key verse: 11
NIV
10 By the grace God has given me,(A) I laid a foundation(B) as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.(C) 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is,(D) because the Day(E) will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.(F) 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.(G) 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.(H)
Cross references
- 1 Corinthians 3:10 : S Ro 12:3
- 1 Corinthians 3:10 : Ro 15:20; S Eph 2:20
- 1 Corinthians 3:11 : Isa 28:16; Eph 2:20
- 1 Corinthians 3:13 : 1Co 4:5
- 1 Corinthians 3:13 : S 1Co 1:8; 2Th 1:7-10; 2Ti 1:12, 18; 4:8
- 1 Corinthians 3:13 : Nu 31:22, 23; Jer 23:28, 29; Mal 3:3; S 2Th 1:7
- 1 Corinthians 3:14 : S ver 8
- 1 Corinthians 3:15 : Jude 23
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway
ESV
10 (A)According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled[a] master builder I laid a (B)foundation, and (C)someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay a (D)foundation other (E)than that which is laid, (F)which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— 13 (G)each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed (H)by fire, and (I)the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, (J)he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, (K)but only as through fire.
Read full chapterFootnotes
- 1 Corinthians 3:10 Or wise
Cross references
- 1 Corinthians 3:10 : [2 Pet. 3:15]; See Rom. 12:3
- 1 Corinthians 3:10 : ver. 11, 12; Rom. 15:20; [Rev. 21:14]
- 1 Corinthians 3:10 : [ch. 4:15]
- 1 Corinthians 3:11 : Isa. 28:16
- 1 Corinthians 3:11 : [2 Cor. 11:4; Gal. 1:6, 7]
- 1 Corinthians 3:11 : [Eph. 2:20]
- 1 Corinthians 3:13 : ch. 4:5
- 1 Corinthians 3:13 : ver. 15; 2 Thess. 1:8
- 1 Corinthians 3:13 : 1 Pet. 1:7
- 1 Corinthians 3:14 : See ver. 8
- 1 Corinthians 3:15 : [Ps. 66:12; Isa. 43:2; Jude 23]
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway
1. The only sure foundation (1
-11)
Paul, an apostle to the Gentile world, specialized in laying foundations. The only foundation that will stand up under the stress of living is the solid-rock foundation of Jesus Christ, crucified, buried and raised from death. When one accepts Jesus' death for his sins, believes in his heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and takes up his own cross to follow and obey Jesus, the one solid foundation is laid in his life. We must help those with whom we study to repent and believe in Jesus; then we too can lay solid foundations.
2. Build a fire-proof building (12-15)
A life that will stand the test of fire is the one that is built on the study of and obedience to the word of God. Then, when the day of final reckoning comes, the fruit of our lives, i.e., the building we have built, will stand.
Prayer: Lord, help me lay solid foundations and build a house that will stand, by believing, living and teaching the gospel.
One Word: No foundation but Jesus
