For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Parallel translations
- WEB For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.
- KJV For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
- NKJV For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
- NASB For no one can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
- NLT For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
No foundation can be laid other than Jesus Christ, who is already laid. Christ alone is the unchangeable foundation of the church.
Overview
Paul names the one and only foundation: Jesus Christ himself. No teacher, tradition, or system may replace Him as the basis of the church's life and faith. All faithful ministry must build on Christ, and any work not grounded in Him has no foundation at all.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Eph 2:20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone.
- Isa 28:16So this is what the Lord GOD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.
- 2 Tim 2:19Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.”
- Acts 4:11–12This Jesus is ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the cornerstone.’
- 1 Pet 2:6–8For it stands in Scripture: “See, I lay in Zion a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and the one who believes in Him will never be put to shame.”
- Matt 16:18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
- Gal 1:7–9which is not even a gospel. Evidently some people are troubling you and trying to distort the gospel of Christ.
- 2 Cor 11:2–4I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 3:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.