1 Corinthians 3:12

“Now if any man build upon this foundation, etc.] The different materials laid by one and the same man, on this foundation, or the different doctrines advanced upon it, are some of them comparable to gold, silver, precious stones; for their intrinsic worth and value; for the purity and sincerity of them; for their weight, importance, solidity, and substantiality; for their durableness; for the great esteem they are had in by those, who know the worth of them; and for the great usefulness they are of unto them, being rich in themselves, and enriching to them; and these are the great, momentous, and valuable truths of the Gospel, which agree with and are suitable to the foundation they are…”

“Now--rather, "But." The image is that of a building on a solid foundation, and partly composed of durable and precious, partly of perishable, materials. The "gold, silver, precious stones," which all can withstand fire (Rev 21:18-19), are teachings that will stand the fiery test of judgment; "wood, hay, stubble," are those which cannot stand it; not positive heresy, for that would destroy the foundation, but teaching mixed up with human philosophy and Judaism, curious rather than useful. Besides the teachings, the superstructure represents also the persons cemented to the Church by them, the reality of whose conversion, through the teachers' instrumentality, will be tested at the last day.…”

“Now if any man - If any teacher in the doctrines which he inculcates; or any private Christian in the hopes which he cherishes. The main discussion doubtless, has respect to the teachers of religion. Paul carries forward the metaphor in this and the following verses with respect to the building. He supposes that the foundation is laid; that it is a true foundation; that the essential doctrines in regard to the Messiah are the real basis on which the edifice is reared. But, he says, that even admitting that, it is a subject of vast importance to attend to the kind of structure which shall be reared on that; whether it shall be truly beautiful, and valuable in itself, and such as shall abide…”

“If any one build gold, silver, costly stones - Three sorts of materials which will bear the fire; true and solid doctrines. Wood, hay, stubble - Three which will not bear the fire. Such are all doctrines, ceremonies, and forms of human invention; all but the substantial, vital truths of Christianity. 1 Corinthians 3:13”

“3:12-15 Some of the things that people build on the foundation of Christ will endure; other things will burn up in the fire of judgment (cp. Mal 4:1). On judgment day, the work of each builder who instructs the church will be assessed (cp. Jas 3:1; see also Rom 14:10-12; 2 Cor 5:10). Those whose teachings are faithful and true will receive a reward; the others will suffer great loss, not of their salvation but of their reward. They themselves will be saved, but just barely, like someone pulled to safety through a wall of flames (cp. Amos 4:11; Zech 3:2; Jude 1:23).”

“gold: Psa 19:10, Psa 119:72; Pro 8:10, Pro 16:16; Isa 60:17; Ti1 4:6; Ti2 2:20; Pe1 1:7; Rev 3:18 precious: Isa 54:11-13; Rev 21:18 wood: Pro 30:6; Jer 23:28; Mat 15:6-9; Act 20:30; Rom 16:17; Co2 2:17, Co2 4:2; Col 2:8, Col 2:18-23; Ti1 4:1-3, Ti1 4:7, Ti1 6:3; Ti2 2:16-18, Ti2 3:7, Ti2 3:13, Ti2 4:3; Tit 1:9-11, Tit 3:9-11; Heb 13:9; Rev 2:14 1 Corinthians 3:13”