(1Co 3:14) “If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.” Normally, when believers think of a reward some day from God, they think of crowns (2 Tim 4:8). Yet, we know from Revelation Chapters 2 and 3 that they rewards can be varied and unique.

(1Co 3:13) “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.” The text is specifically speaking of the works of the saved.  How can one be reasonably sure their actions are “gold, silver, and precious stones”? Answer: when self is lost to others, to the Lord’s glorification, and one’s actions do not go against God’s revealed truth – the Bible.

(1Co 3:13) “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.” The difference between the judgment of the saved and the unsaved is its purpose. The unsaved will not humbly submit to apply the judgment of their sins placed upon the Lord Jesus. To do so would mean to give their life henceforth to Jesus. They choose not to give up their will to His. They choose hell over heaven, so their life will be judged for punishment.

(1Co 3:13) “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.”  At that day we will see the reality of the saying, “Not all that glitters is gold”. “Revealed by fire”: John Baptist said, (Matt 3:11b) “… he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” 

(1Co 3:12) “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;”    As you can see, not all that is done in the Name of the Lord has eternal value. A good work can be done for the wrong reason; and it is possible to lose sight of the main purpose for doing. The glorification of the Lord Jesus and the spiritual good of those around us  must be paramount.

(1Co 3:12) “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;”    Men are built spiritually only when their thoughts are aligned with God’s as revealed in the Bible. The Bible: not parts of the Bible; but the whole of Scripture. Jesus said, (Mat_4:4) “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD        that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

(1Co 3:12) “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;”   Context: I, Apollos, ministers of God, are to build upon the foundation of Jesus spiritual things, God alone honoring things. In other words, “The Word of God”. Today it seems we seek to built up men rather than hold up Jesus Christ. The two cannot be reconciled.

(1Co 3:11) “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Do you know why I feel so many who profess to be genuinely born again are not? Simply because their life says they do not care if they please God or not. They are not seen in any House of God. They share the same attitude towards sex as the world. They indulge in unclean jest just like the rest of this world. Self comes before God’s decrees. There’s nothing that says their foundation is Jesus Christ. This does not speak of the Holy Spirit (God Himself) living inside them, prompting them to love and to please Him.

(1Co 3:11) “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Consider this foundation: God in human flesh paying for your sins by suffering and dying upon a cross. Coming back to life signifying His life is eternal; offering that same life to the repentant soul; giving that life when He sees sincerity of heart.

(1Co 3:10) “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.”   Laying the foundation seems to indicate it was Paul who had led the majority of them to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. “Saving Knowledge”: one must have a time and place of birth. Too many seem to think this unimportant. It is the most important thing there is. No birth – no eternal life – period.