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Timothy: I Corinthians 3:9-15
Building on the Foundation of Christ

9 For of God we are fellow-workers, a field of God, and you are a building of God.

10 According to God’s grace given to me, as a wise master builder, I laid a foundation, but another builds on it. But let each one be careful how he builds.

11 For no one is able to lay any other foundation beside the One having been laid, who is Jesus Christ.

12 And if anyone builds on this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, grass, straw,

13 the work of each will be revealed; for the Day will make it known, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire will prove the work of each, what sort it is.

14 If the work of anyone which he built remains, he will receive a reward.

15 If the work of anyone shall be consumed, he shall suffer loss; but he will be saved, but so as through fire.

[Literal Translation of the Holy Bible]

Dear God, my Beloved Father, I offer You my praise and gratitude. You are the Almighty, Loving, and Faithful God who keeps us safe and provides for all our needs in life. You have given us wisdom and joy through the Eternal Living Word of God. I ask Christ to strengthen my body, and the Holy Spirit to give me understanding in my spirit. Thank You, Heavenly Father.

Father, I would like to present my understanding of 1 Corinthians 3:9-15 as follows:

Verses 9 and 10: The Apostle Paul taught the people of God in Corinth that he and his fellow preachers of the Gospel were all working together with God to build His Church. Paul likened the Church to a field that he and his companions worked on, tilling, sowing, weeding, watering, and fertilizing the good seeds, so they could grow healthy and be fruitful. He also likened the Church to a building that he and his companions laid the foundation for by preaching the salvation message of Christ. Then each believer built upon that foundation to complete the fullness of the Church. In the case of the Church in Corinth, Paul was the one who laid the foundation, as he was the one who preached the Gospel and established the Church there.

Verse 11: The foundation of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ, formed on the basis of His teachings and His redeeming death. Anyone who repents of sin and believes in His atoning sacrifice is grafted into the Church, and lives according to His teachings. The foundation of the Church cannot be anyone else or anything else; the faith of the people of God must be completely based on Christ’s atoning death and all His teachings.

Verse 12: Every child of God builds their life of faith on Christ, which means living every day according to the teachings of the Bible. From keeping oneself pure and free from sin to doing good works as instructed by the Bible. It is using all the gifts that God has given to each person to do the good works that God has prepared for them. The materials for building are everything that God has given to a person: time, health, material resources, reputation, status, and power. Gold, silver, and precious stones symbolize the good qualities of serving the Lord wholeheartedly, and bringing benefits to the Church, glorifying God. Wood, hay, and straw symbolize the bad qualities of serving the Lord halfheartedly or seeking personal glory.

Verse 13: Every action of every child of God in this life will be evaluated by Christ. Fire is used to test gold and silver, two precious metals, burning away all impurities in them and leaving only their pure essence. The holiness of God will test the quality of every action of every child of God. Actions done without sincerity, effort, or for personal glory, not for the glory of God, not from the love for God and people, will not remain before the holiness of God.

Verse 14: Actions done by faith, by love, with sincerity, and with all one’s strength will remain, for they are holy offerings pleasing to God. Christ will reward each person appropriately for their good works.

Verse 15: Actions done without faith, without love, and for the sake of seeking personal glory will be burned by the holiness of God. The person who does such actions will not receive a reward, but they will still be saved if they sincerely repent of their sins and believe in the atonement of Christ, like someone escaping a fire, but all their possessions are burned.

Dear Father, please awaken those who are building their lives of faith with wood, hay, and straw. Please remind each of Your children that the day of Christ’s return is near, and the remaining time to build God’s House may end at any time. I thank You. I pray in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

In the grace of Jesus Christ, my Lord.

Timothy Christian Huynh
04/25/2023