1 Corinthians 3:13

each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is.

'made manifest' -'evident' (NASV) 'The character of each one's work will come to light.' (Wms); 'The quality of each man's work will become known' (TCNT)

'for the day shall declare it' -'show it' (NASV). The 'Day of Judgement' will certainly reveal the true nature of those that. teacher has converted. And yet, so do periods of trial. (Luke 8:13)

'because it is revealed in fire'. 2 Thessalonians 1:7; 2 Peter 3:10

'of what sort it is' -'the fire will test the quality of everyone's work' (Gspd)

'It's unusual, says one writer, for. builder to build. house so that it might survive fire. He usually builds in hope that it will never face fire. But the building the Christian teacher builds will pass through the fire. The teacher's.....converts will one day face trial (not just the final judgement) and that trial will demonstrate if he worked in hay and stubble or something more durable. If the converts or students burn up under pressure the teacher loses.' [Note:. McGuiggan p. 53]

Points to Note:

1. Hence the great need for plain preaching and teaching. Every teacher needs to ask themselves, 'Have. given this student everything they need to resist temptation?' 'Have. equipped them to the best of my ability?'

2. The necessity of no subject being off-limits due to it's uncomfortable nature. People are going to face "the fire" one day, therefore character flaws, wrong attitudes or anything that might trip up the student needs to be pointed out now.

3. This section of Scripture also demands some self-examination on the part of the student. It's hard to read these verses without asking yourself, at this point in my life, am. 'gold or stubble'?