1 Corinthians 3:15

“If any man’s work shall be burnt, etc.] If any minister’s doctrine he has preached shall be destroyed and disappear, shall be disapproved of, and rejected by the churches, not being able, to bear the light and heat of the fire of God’s word: he shall suffer loss; of all his labour and pains he has been at, in collecting together such trifling, useless, and inconsistent things; and of all that glory and popular applause he might expect from men, on account of them, and which was the snare that drew him into such a way of preaching: but he himself shall be saved; with an everlasting salvation; not by his ministerial labours, much less by his wood, hay, and stubble, which will be all burnt up;…”

“If . . . be burnt--if any teacher's work consist of such materials as the fire will destroy [ALFORD]. suffer loss--that is, forfeit the special "reward"; not that he shall lose salvation (which is altogether a free gift, not a "reward" or wages), for he remains still on the foundation (Co1 3:12; Jo2 1:6). saved; yet so as by fire--rather, "so as through fire" (Zac 3:2; Amo 4:11; Jde 1:23). "Saved, yet not without fire" (Rom 2:27) [BENGEL]. As a builder whose building, not the foundation, is consumed by fire, escapes, but with the loss of his work [ALFORD]; as the shipwrecked merchant, though he has lost his merchandise, is saved, though having to pass through the waves [BENGEL]; Mal 3:1-2;…”

“If any man’s work shall be burned - If it shall not be found to hear the test of the investigation of that Day - as a cottage of wood, hay, and stubble would not bear the application of fire. If his doctrines have not been true; if he has had mistaken views of piety; if he has nourished feelings which he thought were those of religion; and inculcated practices which, however well meant, are not such as the gospel produces; if he has fallen into error of opinion, feeling, practice, however conscientious, yet he shall suffer loss. He shall suffer loss - : (1) He shall not be elevated to as high a rank and to as high happiness as he otherwise would. That which he supposed would be regarded as…”

“He shall suffer loss - The loss of that peculiar degree of glory. 1 Corinthians 3:16”

“work: Co1 3:12, Co1 3:13; Rev 3:18 he shall: Act 27:21, Act 27:44; Jo2 1:8 yet: Amo 4:11; Zac 3:2; Pe1 4:18; Jde 1:23 1 Corinthians 3:16”