1 Corinthians 3 · Verse 14

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

1 Corinthians 3:14 in other translations

BSBIf what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.
WEBIf any man’s work remains which he built on it, he will receive a reward.
ASVIf any man’s work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward.
YLTif of any one the work doth remain that he built on it, a wage he shall receive;
DARBYIf the work of any one which he has built upon the foundation shall abide, he shall receive a reward.
BBEIf any man's work comes through the test, he will have a reward.
WebsterIf any man's work abideth which he hath built upon it, he shall receive a reward.

What does 1 Corinthians 3:14 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
14. abide--abide the testing fire (Mt 3:11, 12). which he hath built thereupon--which he built on the foundation. reward--wages, as a builder, that is, teacher. His converts built on Christ the foundation, through his faithful teaching, shall be his "crown of rejoicing" (2Co 1:14; Php 2:16; 1Th 2:19).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Barnes' Notes
Verse 14. If any man's work abide, etc. If it shall appear that he has taught the true doctrines of Christianity, and inculcated right practices and views of piety, and himself cherished right feelings; if the trial of the great day, when the real qualities of all objects shall be known, shall show this;

He shall receive a reward. According to the nature of his work. 1Cor 3:8. This refers, I suppose, to the proper rewards on the day of judgment, and not to the honours and the recompense which he may receive in this world. If all that he has taught and done shall be proved to have been genuine and pure, then his reward shall be in proportion.

Albert Barnes, 1834 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 14 If any man's work abide - Perhaps there is here an allusion to the purifying of different sorts of vessels under the law. All that could stand the fire were to be purified by the fire; and those which could not resist the action of the fire were to be purified by water, Num 31:23. The gold, silver, and precious stones, could stand the fire; but the wood, hay, and stubble, must be necessarily consumed. So, in that great and terrible day of the Lord, all false doctrine, as well as the system that was to pass away, should be made sufficiently manifest; and God would then show that the Gospel, and that alone, was that system of doctrine which he should bless and protect, and none other. He shall receive a reward - He has not only preached the truth, but he has labored in the word and doctrine. And the reward is to be according to the labor. See on 1Cor 3:8 (note).

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

The apostle was a wise master-builder; but the grace of God made him such. Spiritual pride is abominable; it is using the greatest favours of God, to feed our own vanity, and make idols of ourselves. But let every man take heed; there may be bad building on a good foundation. Nothing must be laid upon it, but what the foundation will bear, and what is of a piece with it. Let us not dare to join a merely human or a…

Read the full comment on 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 →

1 Corinthians 3:14 in the original Greek

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

εἴeiIfG1487
τινοςtinosof anyoneG5100
τὸtotheG3588
ἔργονergonworkG2041
μενεῖmeneiwill remainG3306
ὃhowhichG3739
ἐποικοδόμησεν,epoikodomēsenhe built up,G2026
μισθὸνmisthona rewardG3408
λήμψεται·lēmpsetaihe will receive;G2983

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for 1 Corinthians 3:14

  • Matthew 25:21-23

    His 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. He also that had received two talents came and said, Lord, thou deliveredst unto me two talents: behold, I have gained two other talents beside them. His lord said unto him, Well done, 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 Corinthians 3:8

    Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:5

    Therefore 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.

  • Matthew 24:45-47

    Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

  • Daniel 12:3

    And 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.

  • Revelation 2:8-11

    And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan. Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

  • 1 Peter 5:1

    The 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:

  • 1 Peter 5:4

    And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.

  • 1 Thessalonians 2:19

    For 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 Timothy 4:7

    I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
8; 4:5; Da 12:3; Mt 24:45-47; 25:21-23; 1Th 2:19; 2Ti 4:7; 1Pe 5:1,4
Re 2:8-11

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • 1 Corinthians 3:13

    Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:14

    If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

  • 1 Corinthians 3:15

    If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Read all of 1 Corinthians 3

1 Corinthians 3:14 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Si permaneciere la obra de alguno que sobreedificó, recibirá recompensa.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Si l’ouvrage de quelqu’un qu’il aura édifié dessus demeure, il recevra une récompense;
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wenn das Werk jemandes bleiben wird, das er darauf gebaut hat, so wird er Lohn empfangen;
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Si cujus opus manserit quod superædificavit, mercedem accipiet.