1 Corinthians 3:13
What does 1 Corinthians 3:13 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 3:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 3:13 means
A day of divine evaluation is coming—“the day”—when every person’s work will be revealed by fire. The fire does not destroy the foundation (Christ), but tests the quality of what has been built upon Him. This image assures that God’s judgment is thorough, impartial, and purifying in its exposure. Hidden motives and methods will come to light. The goal is not to terrify faithful builders, but to sober all builders. The verse promises that appearances will not have the last word; God will. Therefore, present ministry should be undertaken with eternity in view, aiming for materials that can face fire: truth, love, holiness, and labor done in reliance on God.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000each man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man’s work of what sort it is.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Every 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901each man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man’s work of what sort it is.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Every man's work will be made clear in that day, because it will be tested by fire; and the fire itself will make clear the quality of every man's work.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862of each the work shall become manifest, for the day shall declare <FI>it<Fi> , because in fire it is revealed, and the work of each, what kind it is, the fire shall prove;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Every man's work shall be manifest. For the day of the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in fire. And the fire shall try every man's work, of what sort it is.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890the work of each shall be made manifest; for the day shall declare [it], because it is revealed in fire; and the fire shall try the work of each what it is.
Context
Verse 12 contrasted materials; verse 13 announces the test that will display their true nature. The chapter thus shifts from present ministry to future reckoning. The next two verses will describe the two possible outcomes: reward for what endures (verse 14) and loss for what burns up, though the builder himself is saved (verse 15). This framework aims to correct Corinthian values by replacing human applause now with God’s appraisal then.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 8:20
To the law and to the testimony! if they speak not according to this word, surely there is no morning for them.
- Romans 2:16
in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, according to my gospel, by Jesus Christ.
- 1 Corinthians 4:5
Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:7
and to you that are afflicted rest with us, at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with the angels of his power in flaming fire,
- Isaiah 28:17
And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place.
- 2 Timothy 3:9
But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be evident unto all men, as theirs also came to be.
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