Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 3:11

"For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." — 1 Corinthians 3:11 (ASV)

Paul views his skill as an expert builder (cf. Proverbs 8:30) as being possible only through God’s grace. He knew God’s plan for the building of his church (Ephesians 3:7–10) and had laid the doctrinal “foundation” (GK 2529) of “Jesus Christ and him crucified” (2:2; cf. Isaiah 28:16; Acts 4:11; Ephesians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:6). He acknowledges that others, such as Apollos, also build on this same foundation. Then, shifting from the worker to the work, Paul gives a warning: All builders— Paul, Apollos, and whoever works for God—must be careful how they build. Any defects in their work will be their own fault. Christ cannot be blamed for it.