TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
KJV (with Strong's)
According G2596 to the grace G5485 of God G2316 which G3588 is given G1325 unto me G3427, as G5613 a wise G4680 masterbuilder G753, I have laid G5087 the foundation G2310, and G1161 another G243 buildeth G2026 thereon. But G1161 let G991 every man G1538 take heed G991 how G4459 he buildeth G2026 thereupon.
Complete Jewish Bible
Using the grace God gave me, I laid a foundation, like a skilled master-builder; and another man is building on it. But let each one be careful how he builds.
Berean Standard Bible
By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one must be careful how he builds.
American Standard Version
According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon.
World English Bible Messianic
According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds on it. But let each man be careful how he builds on it.
Geneva Bible (1599)
According to the grace of God giuen to mee, as a skilfull master builder, I haue laide the foundation, and another buildeth thereon: but let euery man take heede how he buildeth vpon it.
Young's Literal Translation
According to the grace of God that was given to me, as a wise master-builder, a foundation I have laid, and another doth build on it ,
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In the KJVVerse 28,421 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3 verses 5–10
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.
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.
Here the apostle instructs them how to cure this humour, and rectify what was amiss among them upon this head,
I. By reminding them that the ministers about whom they contended were but ministers: Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed? Even as the Lord gave to every man, Co1 3:5. They are but ministers, mere instruments used by the God of all grace. Some of the factious people in Corinth seem to have made more of them, as if they were lords of their faith, authors of their religion. Note, We should take care not to deify ministers, nor put them into the place of God. Apostles were not the authors of our faith and religion, though they were authorized and qualified to reveal and propagate it. They acted in this office as God gave to every man. Observe, All the gifts and powers that even apostles discovered and exerted in the work of the ministry were from God. They were intended to manifest their mission and doctrine to be divine. It was perfectly wrong, upon their account, to transfer that regard to the apostles which was solely to be paid to the divine authority by which they acted, and to God, from whom they had their authority. Paul had planted and Apollos had watered, Co1 3:6. Both were useful, one for one purpose, the other for another. Note, God makes use of variety of instruments, and fits them to their several uses and intentions. Paul was fitted for planting work, and Apollos for watering work, but God gave the increase. Note, The success of the ministry must be derived from the divine blessing: Neither he that planteth is any thing, nor he that watereth, but God who giveth the increase, Co1 3:7. Even apostolical ministers are nothing of themselves, can do nothing with efficacy and success unless God give the increase. Note, The best qualified and most faithful ministers have a just sense of their own insufficiency, and are very desirous that God should have all the glory of their success. Paul and Apollos are nothing at all in their own account, but God is all in all.
II. By representing to them the unanimity of Christ's ministers: He that planteth and he that watereth are one (Co1 3:8), employed by one Master, entrusted with the same revelation, busied in one work, and engaged in one design - in harmony with one another, however they may be set in opposition to each other by factious party-makers. They have their different gifts from one and the same Spirit, for the very same purposes; and they heartily carry on the same design. Planters and waterers are but fellow-labourers in the same work. Note, All the faithful ministers of Christ are one in the great business and intention of their ministry. They may have differences of sentiment in minor things; they may have their debates and contests; but they heartily concur in the great design of honouring God and saving souls, by promoting true Christianity in the world. All such may expect a glorious recompence of their fidelity, and in proportion to it: Every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labour. Their business is one, but some may mind it more than others: their end or design is one, but some may pursue it more closely than others: their Master also is one, and yet this good and gracious Master may make a difference in the rewards he gives, according to the different service they do: Every one's own work shall have its own reward. Those that work hardest shall fare best. Those that are most faithful shall have the greatest reward; and glorious work it is in which all faithful ministers are employed. They are labourers with God, sunergoi - co-workers, fellow-labourers (Co1 3:9), not indeed in the same order and degree, but in subordination to him, as instruments in his hand. They are engaged in his business. They are working together with God, in promoting the purposes of his glory, and the salvation of precious souls; and he who knows their work will take care they do not labour in vain. Men may neglect and vilify one minister while they cry up another, and have no reason for either: they may condemn when they should commend, and applaud what they should neglect and avoid; but the judgment of God is according to truth. He never rewards but upon just reason, and he ever rewards in proportion to the diligence and faithfulness of his servants. Note, Faithful ministers, when they are ill used by men, should encourage themselves in God. And it is to God, the chief agent and director of the great work of the gospel, to whom those that labour with him should endeavour to approve themselves. They are always under his eye, employed in his husbandry and building; and therefore, to be sure, he will carefully look over them: "You are God's husbandry, you are God's building; and therefore are neither of Paul nor of Apollos; neither belong to one nor the other, but to God: they only plant and water you, but it is the divine blessing on his own husbandry that alone can make it yield fruit. You are not our husbandry, but God's. We work under him, and with him, and for him. It is all for God that we have been doing among you. You are God's husbandry and building." He had employed the former metaphor before, and now he goes on to the other of a building: According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. Paul here calls himself a wise master-builder, a character doubly reflecting honour on him. It was honourable to be a master-builder in the edifice of God; but it added to his character to be a wise one. Persons may be in an office for which they are not qualified, or not so thoroughly qualified as this expression implies Paul was. But, though he gives himself such a character, it is not to gratify his own pride, but to magnify divine grace. He was a wise master-builder, but the grace of God made him such. Note, It is no crime in a Christian, but much to his commendation, to take notice of the good that is in him, to the praise of divine grace. Spiritual pride is abominable: it is making use of the greatest favours of God to feed our own vanity, and make idols of ourselves. But to take notice of the favours of God to promote our gratitude to him, and to speak of them to his honour (be they of what sort they will), is but a proper expression of the duty and regard we own him. Note, Ministers should not be proud of their gifts or graces; but the better qualified they are for their work, and the more success they have in it, the more thankful should they be to God for his distinguishing goodness: I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. As before he had said, I have planted, Apollos watered. It was Paul that laid the foundation of a church among them. He had begotten them through the gospel, Co1 4:15. Whatever instructors they had besides, they had not many fathers. He would derogate from none that had done service among them, nor would he be robbed of his own honour and respect. Note, Faithful ministers may and ought to have a concern for their own reputation. Their usefulness depends much upon it. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereon. This is a proper caution; there may be very indifferent building on a good foundation. It is easy to err here; and great care should be used, not only to lay a sure and right foundation, but to erect a regular building upon it. Nothing must be laid upon it but what the foundation will bear, and what is of a piece with it. Gold and dirt must not be mingled together. Note, Ministers of Christ should take great care that they do not build their own fancies or false reasonings on the foundation of divine revelation. What they preach should be the plain doctrine of their Master, or what is perfectly agreeable with it.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 5–10. Public domain.
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Clement of AlexandriaAD 215
The Stromata Book 5
"According to the grace," it is said, "given to me as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation. And another buildeth on it gold and silver, precious stones." Such is the gnostic superstructure on the foundation of faith in Christ Jesus. But "the stubble, and the wood, and the hay," are the additions of heresies. "But the fire shall try every man's work, of what sort it is."
TertullianAD 220
Against Marcion Book V
What has he also to do with illustrations from our God? For when (the apostle) calls himself "a wise master-builder," we find that the Creator by Isaiah designates the teacher who sketches out the divine discipline by the same title, "I will take away from Judah the cunning artificer," etc.
TertullianAD 220
An Answer to the Jews
For "the Lord of Sabaoth hath taken away, among the Jews from Jerusalem," among the other things named, "the wise architect" too, who builds the church, God's temple, and the holy city, and the house of the Lord.
Origen of AlexandriaAD 253
COMMENTARY ON 1 CORINTHIANS 1.15.18-20
This warning applies to you and me as well. If I do not build properly on the foundation already laid for me, then the fire will consume my work on the day of judgment.
AmbrosiasterAD 384
COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES
The wise master builder is one who preaches the same gospel as that which was preached by the Savior. Afterward other people build on the foundation, sometimes well and sometimes badly. We need to pay attention to make sure that what we build coheres with the foundation, because if it is crooked or lightweight it will collapse, though the foundation itself will remain intact. Even when people have taught badly, the name of Christ endures, because it is the foundation, although the bad teaching collapses.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on 1 Corinthians 9
For after the faith there is need of edification: and therefore he saith elsewhere, "Edify one another with these words." For both the artificer and the learner contribute to the edifying. Wherefore he saith, "But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereon."
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on 1 Corinthians 8
"According to the Grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise master-builder I laid a foundation."
In this place he calls himself wise, not exalting himself, but to give them an ensample, and to point out that this is a wise man's part, to lay a foundation. You may observe as one instance of his modest bearing, that in speaking of himself as wise, he allowed not this to stand as though it were something of his own; but first attributing himself entirely unto God, then and not till then calls himself by that name. For, "according to the Grace of God," saith he, "which was given unto me." Thus, at once he signifies both that the whole is of God; and that this most of all is Grace, viz. the not being divided, but resting on One Foundation.
"Another buildeth thereon; but let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon."
Here, I think, and in what follows, he puts them upon their trial concerning practice, after that he had once for all knit them together and made them one.
Theodoret of CyrusAD 458
COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 181
We need to build on the foundation, not overthrow it.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 3:10, articulates his foundational role in establishing the Corinthian church, likening himself to a "wise masterbuilder" who, by God's grace, laid the initial spiritual groundwork. He then issues a critical warning to all subsequent ministers and believers, emphasizing the profound responsibility each person bears in carefully and wisely building upon that singular, divinely appointed foundation. This verse underscores the divine origin of ministry, the singular importance of Christ as the foundation, and the accountability of all who contribute to the spiritual edifice of the church.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in 1 Corinthians 3:10 is an extended Metaphor. Paul transitions from the agricultural metaphor of planting and watering in preceding verses to an architectural one, likening the church to a building under construction. He portrays himself as a masterbuilder (architect) who lays the foundation, and other ministers as those who build thereupon. This metaphor effectively conveys the concepts of sequential ministry, the essential nature of a solid beginning, and the ongoing process of spiritual growth and development within the community of believers. The use of "wise" to describe the masterbuilder also implies Personification of wisdom, suggesting that Paul's actions were guided by divine insight rather than mere human ingenuity. Furthermore, the imperative "let every man take heed" functions as a Warning, drawing the reader's attention to the critical importance of careful and responsible action in ministry, underscoring the serious implications of how one builds upon the established foundation.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 3:10 is a foundational text for understanding the nature of Christian ministry, the structure of the church, and the accountability of believers. It highlights that all genuine ministry originates from God's grace and is not a product of human ingenuity or effort. Paul, as the masterbuilder, establishes the essential truth that the church's stability and spiritual integrity depend entirely on the foundation of Jesus Christ, a truth explicitly stated in the subsequent verse. The verse then shifts focus to the critical responsibility of those who follow, emphasizing that the quality of their contribution to the spiritual edifice is paramount. This underscores the theological principle that while salvation is by grace through faith, Christian service is subject to divine evaluation, where motives and methods matter, and only that which is built with eternal materials will endure. It calls for a humble, discerning, and Christ-centered approach to all aspects of church building and spiritual formation.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Paul's words in 1 Corinthians 3:10 resonate powerfully with believers today, whether they are in formal ministry or simply living out their faith. The initial acknowledgment that ministry flows from "the grace of God" is a profound reminder of humility. Our abilities, gifts, and opportunities to serve are not earned but graciously given, fostering an attitude of gratitude and dependence on God rather than self-reliance. For those involved in leadership, teaching, or discipleship, the metaphor of building is particularly poignant. It compels us to rigorously examine the "materials" we use – are we teaching sound doctrine, fostering genuine spiritual growth, and promoting Christ-like character? Or are we building with "wood, hay, and straw" – worldly wisdom, fleeting trends, or self-serving agendas? The warning to "take heed how he buildeth" is a sober call to intentionality, integrity, and a long-term perspective in all our spiritual endeavors. It challenges us to consider the eternal value of our contributions, knowing that our work will ultimately be tested and revealed. This verse encourages a mindset of careful stewardship, ensuring that our efforts truly edify the body of Christ and glorify God, rather than merely accumulating human praise or transient success.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does Paul mean by "wise masterbuilder"?
Answer: Paul uses the term "wise masterbuilder" (Greek: architekton) to describe his unique role in establishing the Corinthian church. An architekton was the chief architect or designer responsible for the foundational work and overall plan of a building. Paul, by God's grace and wisdom, laid the spiritual foundation of the church in Corinth by first preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. His "wisdom" was not human cleverness but divine guidance, ensuring that the church was built upon the correct, unshakeable truth of Christ, as he later clarifies in 1 Corinthians 3:11. This highlights his apostolic authority and the foundational nature of his initial evangelistic work.
What is the "foundation" Paul refers to in this verse?
Answer: While 1 Corinthians 3:10 speaks of Paul laying "the foundation," the very next verse, 1 Corinthians 3:11, explicitly states: "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." Therefore, the foundation is Jesus Christ Himself – His person, His saving work, and the truth of the gospel. Paul's role as a masterbuilder was to introduce this foundational truth to the Corinthians, establishing the core upon which all subsequent Christian life and ministry must be built. Any "building" (ministry, teaching, spiritual growth) that is not firmly rooted in Christ is ultimately unstable and will not endure.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 3:10 finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While Paul, as a "wise masterbuilder," laid the foundation, the very next verse clarifies that this foundation is none other than Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 3:11). This points to Jesus as the cornerstone upon whom the entire spiritual edifice of the church is built, as prophesied in the Old Testament (Psalm 118:22) and confirmed in the New (Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6-7). Paul's ministry, empowered by God's grace, was to faithfully proclaim Christ, ensuring that the Corinthian church was established on the only secure ground. The subsequent warning to "take heed how he buildeth thereupon" directly relates to building upon Christ. Every act of ministry, every teaching, and every aspect of Christian living must be consistent with and glorifying to the one true foundation. Ultimately, the quality of our "building" is measured by its conformity to Christ's character and truth, for He is the standard by which all works will be tested by fire (1 Corinthians 3:13-15). Thus, 1 Corinthians 3:10 is not merely about human ministry, but about the centrality and supremacy of Christ as the sole, sufficient, and eternal foundation of God's dwelling place among humanity.