1 Corinthians 3 14

1 Corinthians 3:14 kjv

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

1 Corinthians 3:14 nkjv

If anyone's work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.

1 Corinthians 3:14 niv

If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.

1 Corinthians 3:14 esv

If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.

1 Corinthians 3:14 nlt

If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.

1 Corinthians 3 verses

1 Corinthians 3 14 Meaning

The work of each believer in building the church of God will be tested by fire. If that work is built with materials that withstand this divine scrutiny—gold, silver, precious stones—then that builder will receive a reward. If their work is composed of less durable materials like wood, hay, or straw, their work will be burned up, and though they themselves may be saved, they will suffer loss. This implies a judgment of our faithfulness and the quality of our service to God, impacting our eternal recompense.

1 Corinthians 3 14 Context

This verse is situated within Paul's letter to the Corinthian church, a congregation facing division and immaturity. In chapter 3, Paul is addressing factionalism (following Paul, Apollos, or Cephas) and likening their spiritual development to building upon the foundation Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that his own and Apollos' roles are merely servants. The context is the responsible building of the church, where individual contributions will be evaluated. The overarching theme is unity, purity, and enduring service to God, warning against spiritual pride and reliance on human wisdom or leadership. The cultural backdrop involves Hellenistic emphasis on rhetorical skill and worldly success, which Paul counters with divine wisdom and the ultimate judgment of God.

1 Corinthians 3 14 Word Analysis

• εἰ (ei): "if" - A conditional particle introducing the supposition that a person's work has endured the test.
• τινός (tinos): "someone's" or "anyone's" - A genitive singular form of the indefinite pronoun tis, emphasizing individual responsibility for one's work.
• ἔργον (ergon): "work" or "deed" - This refers to the tangible results and efforts of a believer's service in building up the church. It's not just physical labor but the substance and character of their ministry.
• parâgen (paragen): "comes" or "has come" - A present tense verb indicating the immediate outcome upon being tested.
• εἰ (ei): "if" - Again, a conditional, this time marking the outcome for the enduring work.
• ἐστιν (estin): "is" - The third-person singular present indicative of eimi, "to be."
• μόνιμον (monimon): "abiding," "lasting," or "permanent" - An adjective describing the nature of the work that survives the test. It speaks to its enduring quality. This concept is linked to the metaphor of precious metals in building.
• δέχεται (dechētai): "receives" or "accepts" - A present middle indicative verb, indicating that the builder will receive a reward for their enduring work.
• μισθὸν (misthon): "reward" or "wages" - The prize or compensation given for the faithful, enduring work performed.
• ἔαν (ean): "if" (used with subjunctive) - Introducing a condition for the subsequent outcome, reinforcing the consequence of impermanent work.
• δὲ (de): "but" or "and" - A connective particle.
• εἴ (ei): "if" - Another conditional.
• τινός (tinos): "someone's" or "anyone's" - Repeating the focus on individual accountability.
• τινος (tinos): "work" or "deed" - Referring to the labor and results.
• κατακαήσεται (katakaēsetai): "will be burned up" or "will be consumed by fire" - A future passive indicative of katakaō. This vivid imagery depicts destruction and complete loss of the impermanent work.
• δὲ (de): "but" or "and" - Connective.
• σωθήσεται (sōthēsetai): "will be saved" - A future passive indicative of sōzō. This assures that the builder themselves is saved, despite the loss of their work.
• πλην (plēn): "but" or "only" - An adverb functioning like a conjunction, indicating the remaining consequence for the builder.
• οὕτως (houtōs): "thus" or "so" - Indicating the manner of their salvation.

Words/Group Analysis:

• "if anyone's work endures": Highlights the conditional nature of the reward and the necessity for the quality of service to be built on a solid foundation that can withstand divine examination. The contrast between ergon (work) and monimon (abiding) is key.
• "he will receive a reward": The act of "receiving" (dechētai) is not passive but an active acceptance by the builder of what is rightfully due. The reward (misthon) is a direct consequence of faithful building.
• "if anyone's work is burned up": The severe consequence of "burned up" (katakaēsetai) suggests not just minor damage but total annihilation of the effort.
• "he will suffer loss": This implies a detriment to the individual believer's eternal standing or inheritance, even though salvation itself remains intact. The distinction between the loss of work and the preservation of the person is critical. The "but thus" (plēn houtōs) structure emphasizes this conditional salvation and personal loss.

1 Corinthians 3 14 Bonus Section

The "fire" in this analogy represents God's searching, holy presence and the ultimate judgment of His word. It purifies and exposes the true character and value of our deeds. The precious materials (gold, silver, precious stones) symbolize works done out of genuine love for God and others, integrity, purity, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. The lesser materials (wood, hay, straw) represent works done from mixed motives, fleshly effort, pride, or based on mere human wisdom or tradition that lacks eternal substance. The assurance of being saved "though as through fire" highlights that even a life where many works are unfruitful or consumed still secures salvation, provided the foundation in Christ was sound. However, it warns against complacency in ministry and service, emphasizing the accountability before the divine tribunal. This teaching encourages enduring faith and consistent, holy obedience.

1 Corinthians 3 14 Commentary

This verse underscores the doctrine of eternal rewards based on our works in the service of Christ. While salvation is a gift received by grace through faith, our stewardship and faithfulness will be appraised and rewarded by God. The analogy of building and fire testing emphasizes the need for works built upon Christ, using spiritual, imperishable materials, rather than those founded on human methods, pride, or fleeting success. It calls believers to examine the motive, method, and substance of their service. Practical application involves consistently building the church with foundational truths of the Gospel, love, humility, and patient endurance, ensuring our efforts are glorifying to God and have eternal significance. It’s a call to invest in eternal realities rather than temporal achievements.