1 Corinthians 3:14
What does 1 Corinthians 3:14 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 3:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 3:14 means
If someone’s work survives the fire, “he shall receive a reward.” God notices and will honor faithful, durable service that reflects Christ’s character and truth. The reward is not salvation—that rests on the foundation, Jesus Christ—but God’s commendation and recompense for service done in faith and love. This verse encourages perseverance when fruit seems slow or unseen. What is built with gold-like faithfulness endures beyond the moment and meets God’s approval. Paul’s emphasis is not on speculating about the form of the reward, but on its certainty. God is just; nothing truly done for His sake on Christ’s foundation will be lost.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000If any man’s work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward.
KJV
King James Version · 1611If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901If any man’s work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If any man's work comes through the test, he will have a reward.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862if of any one the work doth remain that he built on <FI>it<Fi> , a wage he shall receive;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752If any man's work abide, which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890If the work of any one which he has built upon [the foundation] shall abide, he shall receive a reward.
Context
Following the announcement of testing by fire, Paul now describes the positive outcome. Verse 14 reassures faithful builders that lasting work will be recognized by God. This encouragement balances the sober warning to come in verse 15. The flow keeps Christ as foundation, with evaluation of building quality leading to either reward or loss. The Corinthians, prone to value flash over faithfulness, are redirected to seek what will stand before God’s gaze.
v.13each 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.
v.14This passage
v.15If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 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.
- 1 Peter 5:4
And when the chief Shepherd shall be manifested, ye shall receive the crown of glory that fadeth not away.
- 1 Corinthians 3:8
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.
- Daniel 12:3
And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
- Matthew 24:45
Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season?
- Revelation 2:8
And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These things saith the first and the last, who was dead, and lived again:
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