The Meaning of 1 Corinthians 3:10 Explained

1 Corinthians 3:10

KJV: 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.

YLT: 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,

Darby: According to the grace of God which has been given to me, as a wise architect, I have laid the foundation, but another builds upon it. But let each see how he builds upon it.

ASV: 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.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

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. 

What does 1 Corinthians 3:10 Mean?

Study Notes

grace
Grace (imparted). 1 Corinthians 15:10 ; Romans 6:1 ; 2 Peter 3:18

Verse Meaning

In the new illustration Paul laid the foundation of the church in Corinth by founding the church, and others added the walls and continued building on that foundation. Paul"s special mission from God was to found churches ( Romans 15:20). He readily acknowledged that it was only by God"s grace that he could do so as a skillful master-builder. He added a word of warning that the quality of the materials and workmanship that went into building the church are very important.
"By laying the foundation he did-Jesus Christ and him crucified-he was the truly "wise" master-builder in contrast to the "wise" in Corinth, who are building the church of totally incongenial materials and are therefore in danger of attempting to lay another foundation as well." [1]

Context Summary

1 Corinthians 3:10-23 - Build On The Sure Foundation
We are called upon to contribute our share to the building of saved souls which is rising through the ages, to be an habitation of God through the Spirit, Ephesians 2:21-22. But in addition, we must not neglect the building of our own character on the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ. God has placed Him to be the foundation of every structure which shall stand firm in all the tests of fire through which we are destined to pass. We must needs go on building day by day. Whatever we do or say is another stone or brick. It is for us to choose which heap of material we take it from; whether from that of the wood, hay, or stubble, or from that of the gold, silver, or precious stones.
All things serve the man or woman who serves Christ. The lowliest life may be a link in a chain of golden ministry which binds earth and heaven. Our Lord was constantly described in the Old Testament as the Servant of God. He said that He had come down to earth to do His Father's will. "I am among you as he that serveth." When we serve Him as He serves the great purposes of God, then everything begins to minister to us. The extremes of existence, of creation, and of duration, all serve us. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Corinthians 3

1  Milk is fit for children
3  Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind
7  He who plants and He who waters are nothing
9  The ministers are God's fellow workmen
11  Christ the only foundation
16  You are the temples of God, which must be kept holy
19  The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God

Greek Commentary for 1 Corinthians 3:10

As a wise masterbuilder [ως σοπος αρχιτεκτων]
Paul does not shirk his share in the work at Corinth with all the sad outcome there. He absolves Apollos from responsibility for the divisions. He denies that he himself is to blame. In doing so he has to praise himself because the Judaizers who fomented the trouble at Corinth had directly blamed Paul. It is not always wise for a preacher to defend himself against attack, but it is sometimes necessary. Factions in the church were now a fact and Paul went to the bottom of the matter. God gave Paul the grace to do what he did. This is the only New Testament example of the old and common word αρχιτεκτων — architektōn our architect. Τεκτων — Tektōn is from τικτω — tiktō to beget, and means a begetter, then a worker in wood or stone, a carpenter or mason (Matthew 13:55; Mark 6:3). Αρχι — Archi̇ is an old inseparable prefix like αρχαγγελος — archaggelos (archangel), αρχεπισχοπος — archepiscopos (archbishop), αρχιερευς — archiereus (chiefpriest). Αρχιτεκτων — Architektōn occurs in the papyri and inscriptions in an even wider sense than our use of architect, sometimes of the chief engineers. But Paul means to claim primacy as pastor of the church in Corinth as is true of every pastor who is the architect of the whole church life and work. All the workmen “As a wise architect I laid a foundation” Much depends on the wisdom of the architect in laying the foundation. This is the technical phrase (Luke 6:48; Luke 14:29), a cognate accusative for τεμελιον — themelion The substantive τεμελιον — themelion is from the same root τε — the as ετηκα — ethēka We cannot neatly reproduce the idiom in English. “I placed a placing” does only moderately well. Paul refers directly to the events described by Luke in Acts 18:1-18. The aorist ετηκα — ethēka is the correct text, not the perfect τετεικα — tetheika [source]
Another buildeth thereon [αλλος εποικοδομει]
Note the preposition επι — epi with the verb each time (1 Corinthians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 3:12, 1 Corinthians 3:14). The successor to Paul did not have to lay a new foundation, but only to go on building on that already laid. It is a pity when the new pastor has to dig up the foundation and start all over again as if an earthquake had come. Take heed how he buildeth thereon (βλεπετω πως εποικοδομει — blepetō pōs epoikodomei). The carpenters have need of caution how they carry out the plans of the original architect. Successive architects of great cathedrals carry on through centuries the original design. The result becomes the wonder of succeeding generations. There is no room for individual caprice in the superstructure. [source]
Take heed how he buildeth thereon [βλεπετω πως εποικοδομει]
The carpenters have need of caution how they carry out the plans of the original architect. Successive architects of great cathedrals carry on through centuries the original design. The result becomes the wonder of succeeding generations. There is no room for individual caprice in the superstructure. [source]
Grace []
The special endowment for his apostolic work. Compare Romans 1:5, grace and apostleship: Romans 12:3, Romans 12:6; Ephesians 3:7, Ephesians 3:8. [source]
Wise [σοφὸς]
Skillful. See on James 3:13. [source]
Master-builder [ἀρχιτέκτων]
Only here in the New Testament. “The architect does not work himself, but is the ruler of workmen” (Plato, “Statesman,” 259). [source]
Foundation []
The importance which Paul attached to the foundation was figured by the care employed in laying the foundation of the great Ephesian temple. “To avoid the danger of earthquakes, its foundations were built at vast cost on artificial foundations of skin and charcoal laid over the marsh” (Farrar). [source]

Reverse Greek Commentary Search for 1 Corinthians 3:10

Acts 18:27 Helped them much [συνεβαλετο πολυ]
Second aorist middle indicative of συνβαλλω — sunballō used in Acts 17:18 for “dispute,” old verb to throw together, in the N.T. always in the active save here in the middle (common in Greek writers) to put together, to help. Through grace (δια της χαριτος — dia tēs charitos). This makes sense if taken with “believed,” as Hackett does (cf. Acts 13:48; Acts 16:14) or with “helped” (1 Corinthians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 1:12). Both are true as the references show. [source]
Acts 18:27 Through grace [δια της χαριτος]
This makes sense if taken with “believed,” as Hackett does (cf. Acts 13:48; Acts 16:14) or with “helped” (1 Corinthians 3:10; 1 Corinthians 15:10; 2 Corinthians 1:12). Both are true as the references show. [source]
Acts 20:32 I commend [παρατιτεμαι]
Present middle indicative of παρατιτημι — paratithēmi old verb to place beside, middle, to deposit with one, to interest as in 1 Timothy 1:18; 2 Timothy 2:2. Paul can now only do this, but he does it hopefully. Cf. 1 Peter 4:19. The word of his grace (τωι λογωι της χαριτος αυτου — tōi logōi tēs charitos autou). The instrumentality through preaching and the Holy Spirit employed by God. Cf. Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29. Which is able to build up God works through the word of his grace and so it is able to build up (edify); a favourite Pauline word (1 Corinthians 3:10-14; 1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Ephesians 2:20-22; 2 Timothy 3:15; etc.), and James 1:21. The very words “build” and “inheritance among the sanctified” will occur in Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 3:18 and which some may recall on reading. Cf. Colossians 1:12. Stephen in Acts 7:5 used the word “inheritance” (κληρονομιαν — klēronomian), nowhere else in Acts, but in Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 5:5. In Ephesians 1:18 the very expression occurs “his inheritance among the saints “ (την κληρονομιαν αυτου εν τοις αγιοις — tēn klēronomian autou en tois hagiois). [source]
Acts 20:32 Which is able to build up [τωι δυναμενωι οικοδομησαι]
God works through the word of his grace and so it is able to build up (edify); a favourite Pauline word (1 Corinthians 3:10-14; 1 Corinthians 3:9; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Ephesians 2:20-22; 2 Timothy 3:15; etc.), and James 1:21. The very words “build” and “inheritance among the sanctified” will occur in Ephesians 1:11; Ephesians 3:18 and which some may recall on reading. Cf. Colossians 1:12. Stephen in Acts 7:5 used the word “inheritance” (κληρονομιαν — klēronomian), nowhere else in Acts, but in Ephesians 1:14, Ephesians 1:18; Ephesians 5:5. In Ephesians 1:18 the very expression occurs “his inheritance among the saints “ (την κληρονομιαν αυτου εν τοις αγιοις — tēn klēronomian autou en tois hagiois). [source]
1 Corinthians 3:9 Building [οἰκοδομή]
Paul's metaphors are drawn from the works and customs of men rather than from the works of nature. “In his epistles,” says Archdeacon Farrar, “we only breathe the air of cities and synagogues.” The abundance of architectural metaphors is not strange in view of the magnificent temples and public buildings which he was continually seeing at Antioch, Athens, Corinth, and Ephesus. His frequent use of to build and building in a moral and spiritual sense is noteworthy. In this sense the two words οἰκοδομέω and οἰκοδομή occur twenty-six times in the New Testament, and in all but two cases in Paul's writings. Peter uses build in a similar sense; 1 Peter 2:5. See edify, edification, build, Acts 9:31; Romans 15:20; 1 Corinthians 8:1; 1 Corinthians 8:10, where emboldened is literally built up, and is used ironically. Also Romans 14:19; Romans 15:2; 1 Corinthians 14:3; Ephesians 2:21, etc. It is worth noting that in the Epistle to the Hebrews, while the same metaphor occurs, different words are used. Thus in Hebrews 3:3, Hebrews 3:4, built, builded, represent κατασκευάζω toprepare. In Hebrews 11:10, τεχνίτης artificerand δημιουργὸς , lit., a workman for the public: A.V., builder and maker. This fact has a bearing on the authorship of the epistle. In earlier English, edify was used for build in the literal sense. Thus Piers Ploughman: “I shal overturne this temple and a-down throwe it, and in thre daies after edifie it newe.” See on Acts 20:32. In the double metaphor of the field and the building, the former furnishes the mould of Paul's thought in 1 Corinthians 3:6-9, and the latter in 1 Corinthians 3:10-17. Edwards remarks that the field describes the raw material on which God works, the house the result of the work. [source]
1 Corinthians 3:10 Another buildeth thereon [αλλος εποικοδομει]
Note the preposition επι — epi with the verb each time (1 Corinthians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 3:12, 1 Corinthians 3:14). The successor to Paul did not have to lay a new foundation, but only to go on building on that already laid. It is a pity when the new pastor has to dig up the foundation and start all over again as if an earthquake had come. Take heed how he buildeth thereon (βλεπετω πως εποικοδομει — blepetō pōs epoikodomei). The carpenters have need of caution how they carry out the plans of the original architect. Successive architects of great cathedrals carry on through centuries the original design. The result becomes the wonder of succeeding generations. There is no room for individual caprice in the superstructure. [source]
1 Corinthians 3:18 Thinketh that he is wise [δοκει σοπος ειναι]
Condition of first class and assumed to be true. Predicate nominative σοπος — sophos with the infinitive to agree with subject of δοκει — dokei (Robertson, Grammar, p. 1038). Paul claimed to be “wise” himself in 1 Corinthians 3:10 and he desires that the claimant to wisdom may become wise (ινα γενηται σοπος — hina genētai sophos purpose clause with ινα — hina and subjunctive) by becoming a fool (μωρος γενεστω — mōros genesthō second aorist middle imperative of γινομαι — ginomai) as this age looks at him. This false wisdom of the world (1 Corinthians 1:18-20, 1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 2:14), this self-conceit, has led to strife and wrangling. Cut it out. [source]
Ephesians 2:20 Being built upon [εποικοδομητεντες]
First aorist passive participle of εποικοδομεω — epoikodomeō for which double compound verb see note on 1 Corinthians 3:10; 2 Corinthians 2:17. [source]
Colossians 2:7 Rooted - built up [ἐῤῥιζωμένοι - ἐποικοδομούμενοι]
Note the change of metaphor from the solidity of military array to walking, rooting of a tree, and then to building. The metaphors of rooting and being founded occur together, Ephesians 3:17. Compare 1 Corinthians 3:9. In Jeremiah 1:10, ἐκριζοῦν toroot out is applied to a kingdom, and the words to build and to plant follow. It must be said that ῥιζόω tocause to take root is often used in the sense of firmness or fixedness without regard to its primary meaning. Built up. The preposition ἐπί uponindicates the placing of one layer upon another. See on Acts 20:32, and see on 1 Corinthians 3:9. Compare 1 Corinthians 3:10-14; Ephesians 2:20. note also the change of tenses: having been rooted (perfect participle), being (in process of) built up and strengthened (present participle). [source]
Colossians 2:7 Builded up in him [εποικοδομουμενοι εν αυτωι]
Present passive participle (rooted to stay so) of εποικοδομεω — epoikodomeō old verb, to build upon as in 1 Corinthians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 3:12. The metaphor is changed again to a building as continually going up (present tense). Stablished (βεβαιουμενοι — bebaioumenoi). Present passive participle of βεβαιοω — bebaioō old verb from βεβαιος — bebaios (from βαινω βαιω — bainōτηι πιστει — baiō), to make firm or stable. In your faith Locative case, though the instrumental case, by your faith, makes good sense also. Even as ye were taught (διδασκω — kathōs edidachthēte). First aorist passive indicative of παρελαβετε — didaskō an allusion to εματετε — parelabete in Colossians 2:6 and to εν ευχαριστιαι — emathete in Colossians 1:7. In thanksgiving Hence they had no occasion to yield to the blandishments of the Gnostic teachers. [source]
2 Timothy 1:9 Grace which was given [χάριν τὴν δοθεῖσαν]
Comp. Romans 12:3, Romans 12:6; Romans 15:15; 1 Corinthians 3:10; Ephesians 3:8; Ephesians 4:7. The phrase only here in Pastorals. [source]
2 Timothy 1:9 Purpose [προτεσιν]
See note on Romans 9:11; Ephesians 1:11 for προτεσιν — prothesin Which was given (την δοτεισαν — tēn dotheisan). First aorist passive articular participle agreeing with χαρις — charis (grace), a thoroughly Pauline expression (1 Corinthians 3:10; Romans 12:3, Romans 12:6, etc.), only here in Pastoral Epistles. Before times eternal See note on Titus 1:2. [source]
2 Timothy 1:9 Which was given [την δοτεισαν]
First aorist passive articular participle agreeing with χαρις — charis (grace), a thoroughly Pauline expression (1 Corinthians 3:10; Romans 12:3, Romans 12:6, etc.), only here in Pastoral Epistles. [source]
Revelation 21:14 Names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb [ονοματα των δωδεκα αποστολων του αρνιου]
Jesus had spoken of twelve thrones for the apostles (Matthew 19:28); names of all twelve are here written, not just that of Peter, as some would argue from Matthew 16:18. As a matter of fact, Christ is the corner stone or ακρογωνιαιον — akrogōniaion (1 Peter 2:6; 1 Corinthians 3:10; Ephesians 2:20), though rejected by the Sanhedrin (Matthew 21:42.). One may wonder if the name of Judas is on that stone or that of Matthias. [source]
Revelation 21:14 Twelve foundations [τεμελιους δωδεκα]
Foundation stones, old adjective (from τεμα — thema from τιτημι — tithēmi), here as in 1 Corinthians 3:11.; 2 Timothy 2:19, with λιτους — lithous (stones understood), though often neuter substantive to τεμελιον — themelion (Luke 6:48.; Acts 16:26). See Isaiah 28:16; Hebrews 11:10. Twelve because of the twelve apostles as foundation stones (Ephesians 2:20).On them (επ αυτων — ep' autōn). On the twelve foundation stones.Names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb Jesus had spoken of twelve thrones for the apostles (Matthew 19:28); names of all twelve are here written, not just that of Peter, as some would argue from Matthew 16:18. As a matter of fact, Christ is the corner stone or ακρογωνιαιον — akrogōniaion (1 Peter 2:6; 1 Corinthians 3:10; Ephesians 2:20), though rejected by the Sanhedrin (Matthew 21:42.). One may wonder if the name of Judas is on that stone or that of Matthias. [source]

What do the individual words in 1 Corinthians 3:10 mean?

According to the grace - of God - having been given to me as a wise master builder [the] foundation I have laid another however is building upon [it] Each one let take heed how he builds upon [it]
Κατὰ τὴν χάριν τοῦ Θεοῦ τὴν δοθεῖσάν μοι ὡς σοφὸς ἀρχιτέκτων θεμέλιον ἔθηκα ἄλλος δὲ ἐποικοδομεῖ ἕκαστος βλεπέτω πῶς ἐποικοδομεῖ

Κατὰ  According  to 
Parse: Preposition
Root: κατά 
Sense: down from, through out.
χάριν  grace 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: χάρις  
Sense: grace.
τοῦ  - 
Parse: Article, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
Θεοῦ  of  God 
Parse: Noun, Genitive Masculine Singular
Root: θεός  
Sense: a god or goddess, a general name of deities or divinities.
τὴν  - 
Parse: Article, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root:  
Sense: this, that, these, etc.
δοθεῖσάν  having  been  given 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Participle Passive, Accusative Feminine Singular
Root: διδῶ 
Sense: to give.
μοι  to  me 
Parse: Personal / Possessive Pronoun, Dative 1st Person Singular
Root: ἐγώ  
Sense: I, me, my.
σοφὸς  a  wise 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: σοφός  
Sense: wise.
ἀρχιτέκτων  master  builder 
Parse: Noun, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἀρχιτέκτων  
Sense: a master builder, an architect, the superintendent in the erection of buildings.
θεμέλιον  [the]  foundation 
Parse: Noun, Accusative Masculine Singular
Root: θεμέλιον 
Sense: laid down as a foundation, the foundation (of a building, wall, city).
ἔθηκα  I  have  laid 
Parse: Verb, Aorist Indicative Active, 1st Person Singular
Root: τίθημι  
Sense: to set, put, place.
ἄλλος  another 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἄλλος  
Sense: another, other.
δὲ  however 
Parse: Conjunction
Root: δέ  
Sense: but, moreover, and, etc.
ἐποικοδομεῖ  is  building  upon  [it] 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐποικοδομέω  
Sense: to build upon, build up.
ἕκαστος  Each  one 
Parse: Adjective, Nominative Masculine Singular
Root: ἕκαστος  
Sense: each, every.
βλεπέτω  let  take  heed 
Parse: Verb, Present Imperative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: βλέπω  
Sense: to see, discern, of the bodily eye.
πῶς  how 
Parse: Adverb
Root: πῶς  
Sense: how, in what way.
ἐποικοδομεῖ  he  builds  upon  [it] 
Parse: Verb, Present Indicative Active, 3rd Person Singular
Root: ἐποικοδομέω  
Sense: to build upon, build up.