1 Corinthians 3 KJV
King James Version, Holy Bible
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1 Corinthians Chapter 3 (New Testament)
7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
1 Corinthians Chapter 3 (New Testament)
13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy;for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your's;
22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are your's;
23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.
| Greek Word + Transliteration | Verse + Snippet | Meaning | Scholarly Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| σάρκινος — sarkinos | Verse 1 — “…as unto carnal…” | “Fleshly,” immature. | Sarkinos (“fleshly”) denotes spiritual immaturity (“carnal”). Paul rebukes their lack of growth. The term highlights contrast with Spirit-led maturity. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| ζηλόω — zēloō | Verse 3 — “…envying and strife…” | “Be jealous,” envy. | Zēloō (“to be jealous”) reflects competitive rivalry (“envy”). Such behavior contradicts unity. The term exposes flesh-driven conflict. — Richard C. Trench, Synonyms of the NT (1896) |
| γεώργιον — geōrgion | Verse 9 — “…ye are God’s husbandry…” | “Farmland,” cultivated field. | Geōrgion (“cultivated field”) symbolizes divine cultivation (“husbandry”). God shapes His people through ministry. The term emphasizes growth under God’s care. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| θεμέλιος — themelios | Verse 11 — “…other foundation can no man lay…” | “Foundation,” base. | Themelios (“foundation”) signifies structural beginning (“foundation/base”). Christ alone is doctrinal bedrock. The term underscores exclusivity of the gospel. — Philip Schaff, Commentary on Corinthians (1882) |
| δοκιμάζω — dokimazō | Verse 13 — “…every man’s work shall be made manifest…” | “Test,” examine. | Dokimazō (“to test”) conveys careful evaluation (“examine”). God will reveal true ministry quality. The term anticipates eschatological judgment. — James Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (1898) |
| κατακαίω — katakaiō | Verse 15 — “…his work shall be burned…” | “Burn up,” consume. | Katakaiō (“to burn up”) signals destructive fire (“consume”). Ineffective ministry will not endure. The term conveys seriousness of stewardship. — Thayer, Greek-English Lexicon (1889) |
| ναός — naos | Verse 16 — “…ye are the temple of God…” | “Temple,” sanctuary. | Naos (“temple”) indicates sacred dwelling (“sanctuary”). The Church embodies God’s presence. The term emphasizes holiness. — Franz Delitzsch, Biblical Commentary (1884) |
| φθείρω — phtheirō | Verse 17 — “…if any man defile the temple…” | “Destroy,” corrupt. | Phtheirō (“to corrupt”) warns of destructive influence (“defile/destroy”). False teachers damage God’s people. The term carries severe warning. — Richard Trench, Synonyms (1896) |
| μωρός — mōros | Verse 18 — “…let him become a fool…” | “Foolish,” dull-witted. | Mōros (“foolish”) confronts human pride (“fool”). True wisdom begins by rejecting worldly arrogance. The term exposes intellectual vanity. — Joseph Henry Thayer, Lexicon (1889) |
| καυχάομαι — kauchaomai | Verse 21 — “…let no man glory in men…” | “Boast,” glory. | Kauchaomai (“to boast”) critiques misplaced pride (“glory”). Paul redirects honor to God alone. The term challenges factionalism. — Philip Schaff, Commentary (1882) |
1 Corinthians 3 Devotional
Quote: "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." - 1 Corinthians 3:11
Verse: "For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building." - 1 Corinthians 3:9
Lesson: In Chapter 3, Paul emphasizes the importance of building our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ. We are God's fellow workers, and our lives should be built on the solid foundation of faith in Christ. We must be careful not to build on any other foundation, as it will ultimately crumble.
What's Next? Read Our Bible Verses About Life With Purpose and Encouragement
Conclusion: We should strive to build our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ, trusting in Him as the cornerstone of our faith. We must be careful not to place our trust in anything else, as it will ultimately lead to disappointment and destruction.
Prayer Points: Dear Lord, help us to build our lives on the solid foundation of faith in Jesus Christ. Grant us the wisdom and strength to resist the temptation to trust in anything else, and help us to be faithful workers in your kingdom.
What's Next? See our Inspirational Motivational Bible Quotes Today
