1 Corinthians 3:12

But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble;

'any man' -The work of "anyone" coming after Paul was that of building on the foundation which he had already laid. 'After the interjected caution to let the foundation alone. Paul turns to the superstructure.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 791)

'gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble' -various views exist concerning what these materials represent.

Points to Note:

1. Paul is discussing "what" is built upon the foundation of "Jesus Christ". The materials that compose the church, are individual members. (1 Peter 2:5; Ephesians 2:20 'having been built upon..') 1 Corinthians 9:1 '..are you not my work in the Lord?' (2 Timothy 2:19)

2. In this section. man's work may be lost, but his own soul saved. (1 Corinthians 3:15)

3. The materials listed are. studied scale of descending value. And the value under consideration seems to be the ability to endure. Some materials endure fire while others are consumed. In like manner, some converts endure to the end, while others give up. (Matthew 13:20)