1 CorinthiansНамуна

Paul describes the church as God's building. Jesus Christ is the foundation—immovable, unshakable. But how each individual Christian builds upon it makes a great difference.

Paul distinguishes between two types of building materials:

• Gold, silver, precious stones: These represent spiritually valuable and enduring works—things done out of love for God and in faithfulness to His word. For example: faithful prayer, serving love, clear proclamation of the gospel, lived-out grace, genuine devotion.
• Wood, hay, straw: These materials represent superficial, perishable, or self-serving efforts. They may look impressive on the outside, but in God’s eyes, they have no lasting value. For example: ministry done out of pride, self-promotion, or to please people. Dishonest motives or the attempt to create spiritual things by human means also belong in this category.

In ancient times (and still today), fire was an important tool in metallurgy. It is used to refine impure material: when gold or silver is heated, dross and impurities separate from the pure metal. This was a way to test the genuineness of the material: only real precious metal can withstand the heat. If something was merely gold-plated or a cheap substitute, the fire would reveal it.

Paul draws on this image from craftsmanship here: on the Day of Jesus, that is, when Jesus returns, "fire" will come—a picture of God’s testing gaze.

This fire will not destroy God's workers but will reveal their work. What is genuine will remain. What is empty will perish. Whoever has built on the foundation of Christ with false materials will be saved—but only as one escaping through the flames, without a reward for their works (verse 15).

What is this reward? It is clear that by "reward," Paul does not mean a person's salvation. That is secure, as it is a gift of grace alone. But what kind of "reward" is Paul talking about? He does not explain it.

Yet even if we do not know exactly what is meant, it becomes clear that there is a difference between the one who built with false materials and the one who built with the right ones.

Verse 17 makes clear how seriously God takes His church, for the church is His temple and He Himself dwells in it. Whoever destroys this temple through division, pride, or abuse of power will have to face God’s judgment (verse 17).

For Prayer

In Psalm 139:23–24, David asks God to search his heart, uncover his anxious thoughts, and lead him on the path that leads to everlasting life.