For, others can only carry on the work already begun, for the foundation cannot be changed. The foundation of the church is Christ. <232816>
Isaiah 28:16.
<440411>
Acts 4:11. <490220>
Ephesians 2:20; <600206>
1 Peter 2:6. This may be understood either of the person or of the doctrine of Christ. In either way the sense is good. Christ, as the incarnate Son of God, according to one scriptural figure, is the head of the church which is his body, that is, he is the source of its life; according to another figure, he is its foundation or corner stone, because on him all the members of the church, considered as a temple, rest for salvation. On the other hand, however, it is also true that the doctrine concerning Christ, is the fundamental doctrine of the gospel. We may, therefore, understand the apostle to say, that the work of the ministry is to build up the church on the foundation which God has laid in the person and work of Christ. There can be no other ground of confidence for the justification, sanctification and salvation of men. Or we may understand him to say, that the work of those who followed him in Corinth was simply to build on the foundation which he had laid, in preaching the
doctrine of Christ and him crucified, for there can be no other foundation of the church than that doctrine. The former interpretation, which is adopted by many distinguished commentators, is more in accordance with the common representations of Scripture which speak of God having constituted Christ the corner-stone of the church. It is also perhaps more in accordance with the form of expression here used. Jesus Christ himself is the foundation, which was already laid. The second interpretation, however, is certainly more consistent with the context. In v. 10 Paul says, he had laid the foundation. This can only mean that he had in Corinth taught the doctrine concerning the person and work of Christ. This is the only sense in which he can be said to have laid that foundation which is Jesus Christ. Besides, the whole passage has reference to doctrine. Paul had preached the truth; those who came after him must take heed what they preached.
12, 13. Now, if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 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.
In consistency with the context, gold, silver and precious stones, can only mean truth; and wood, hay and stubble, error. If by the foundation which Paul had laid were intended the first converts in Corinth, then the above terms would naturally be understood of good and bad members of the church. The sense would then be, ‘I laid the foundation of the church in Corinth by receiving true believers to its communion; let others take heed with what kind of members they build up the church.’ But as the
foundation which Paul laid is expressly declared to be Jesus Christ, or the truth concerning his person and work, the words above mentioned must refer to true and false doctrines. ‘I have laid the foundation of Christ crucified; do you take heed with what kind of doctrine you carry on the work.’ Besides, the whole discussion has reference to preachers and their duties. Precious stones here mean stones valuable for building, such as granite and marble. Gold and silver were extensively employed in adorning ancient temples, and are therefore appropriately used as the symbols of pure doctrine. Wood, hay, and stubble are the perishable materials out of which ordinary houses were built, but not temples. Wood for the doors and posts; hay, (co>rtov,) dried grass mixed with mud for the walls; and
straw, (kala>mh,) for the roof. These materials, unsuitable for the temple of God, are appropriate symbols of false doctrines.
Every man’s work shall be made (or, become) manifest. In this life it may be disputed whether a man’s doctrines are true or false. He may have great confidence in their truth, and set himself above his brethren and even above the Bible. But his work hereafter will appear in its true character. For the day shall declare it. The day does not mean indefinitely time, ‘Time shall declare it;’ nor the day of tribulation; nor the day of light and knowledge as distinguished from the present ignorance; but the great day, the day of judgment, or, as it is so often called, the day of the Lord. That day shall make manifest the truth or falsehood of the doctrines taught, because it is (i.e. is certainly to be) revealed by fire; literally, in or with fire (ejn puri>).
In <530108>
2 Thessalonians 1:8, it is said, “The Lord Jesus shall be revealed in flaming fire,” i.e. in the midst of flaming fire. Fire is the constant symbol of trial and judgment. The meaning therefore is, that the day of the Lord will be a day of severe trial. Every work will then be subjected to a test which nothing impure can stand. The context shows that the word day, and not work, is the nominative to revealed. ‘The day of judgment shall declare every man’s work, because that day shall be revealed with fire.’
And the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. The figure is that of a building on which many workmen are engaged. Some use proper materials, others wood, hay and stubble. The building is to be subjected to the test of fire. The wood, hay and stubble will be burnt up; only the solid materials will stand. False doctrine can no more stand the test of the day of judgment, than hay or stubble can stand a raging conflagration.
14, 15. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss:
but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
This is an amplification of what precedes. If the materials employed by a spiritual builder stand the test of the day of judgment, he shall receive the reward of a faithful servant. Which he hath built thereupon, i.e. upon the foundation. Comp. v. 12. If any man’s work shall be burned
(katakah>setai for katakauqh>setai); that is, if the materials used by any builder shall not stand the test of that day, he shall suffer loss
(zhmiwqh>setai see <470709>
2 Corinthians 7:9; <500308>
Philippians 3:8). That is, he will lose his reward.
But he himself shall be saved. Just as a man who has built his house of combustible materials, though he may escape when the fire comes, his property is lost, and all his labor comes to nothing. The apostle is here speaking of those teachers who, although they retain the fundamental doctrines of the gospel, yet combine them with error. This is plain from v.
12, “If any man shall build on this foundation.” It is not enough, therefore, that a minister hold fast to fundamental truth; he must take heed what he teaches in connection with that truth. If he mingles with it the wood, hay and stubble of his own philosophy, he will find himself a loser on the day of judgment. Many of the Fathers understand swqh>setai here in the sense of shall be preserved. His work shall be consumed, but he himself shall be kept alive in the midst of the fire. It is not then the salvation, but the final perdition of the false teacher that the passage teaches. This, however, is contrary to the uniform meaning of the word in the New Testament. The common interpretation is therefore to be preferred.
Yet so as by fire, i.e. with difficulty. Comp. <600320>
1 Peter 3:20. <650123>
Jude 23.
<380302>
Zechariah 3:2. He will just escape with his life, as a man is rescued from a burning building. His salvation will not only be effected with difficulty, but it will be attended with great loss. He will occupy a lower place in the kingdom of heaven than he would have done. Romanists found their doctrine of purgatory on tradition rather than on Scripture. They are glad, however, to avail themselves of any semblance of scriptural support, and therefore appeal to this passage to prove that men are saved through fire.
But,
1. Paul is here speaking of ministers and of their doctrines, and not of