1 Corinthians — Chapter 3

God’s Fellow Workers — Foundation and Building

"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ."

— 1 Cor 3:11 ESV

1 Corinthians 3 confronts partisanship with the correct vision of ministry: leaders are God’s fellow workers, not owners of the Church. The only foundation is Christ.

🌱 Planters and Waterers (3:1-9)

1 Cor 3:6-9

"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth."

The agricultural metaphor dismantles partisanship: Paul planted, Apollos watered—but growth comes from God. The ministers are synergoi theou—God’s fellow workers, not competitors. The glory belongs to God, not the instruments.

🏗️ The Only Foundation (3:10-23)

1 Cor 3:11-15

"For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done."

The foundation (themelion) is already laid—it is Christ. Upon it, each minister builds. The fire of judgment will test the quality of the work: gold, silver, and precious stones endure; wood, hay, and straw are consumed. The minister may be saved, but 'as through fire'—without reward.