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1 Corinthians 3:14

If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1 Corinthians 3:14 · King James Version
Parallel translations
  • WEB If any man’s work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.
  • BSB If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.
  • NKJV If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
  • NASB If anyone’s work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward.
  • NLT If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward.

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

If one's work survives the testing fire, that builder will receive a reward. Faithful, enduring ministry is rewarded by God.

Overview

Paul promises that work which 'remains' through the fire of judgment earns a reward from God. This motivates believers, especially leaders, to build faithfully on Christ with enduring materials. God graciously honors genuine, Christ-centered labor done in His service.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 10

  • 1 Cor 3:8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
  • Matt 25:21–23His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
  • 1 Cor 4:5Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
  • Matt 24:45–47Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?
  • Rev 2:8–11And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
  • 1 Pet 5:1The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
  • Dan 12:3And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
  • 1 Pet 5:4And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
  • 1 Th 2:19For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
  • 2 Tim 4:7I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (3)

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Commentaries & study tools

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 3:14 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.