Matthew Henry Commentary 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

"According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon. For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; each man`s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man`s work of what sort it is. If any man`s work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive a reward. If any man`s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire." — 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 (ASV)

The apostle was a wise master-builder, but the grace of God made him so. Spiritual pride is abominable; it is using the greatest favors of God to feed our own vanity and make idols of ourselves. But let everyone 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 consistent with it.

Let us not dare to join a merely human or a carnal life with a Divine faith, nor the corruption of sin with the profession of Christianity. Christ is a firm, abiding, and immovable Rock of Ages, in every way able to bear all the weight that God Himself or the sinner can lay upon Him; neither is there salvation in any other. If we leave out the doctrine of His atonement, there is no foundation for our hopes.

But of those who rest on this foundation, there are two types. Some hold nothing but the truth as it is in Jesus and preach nothing else. Others build on the good foundation what will not abide the test when the day of trial comes. We may be mistaken in ourselves and others, but there is a day coming that will show our actions in their true light, without cover or disguise.

Those who spread true and pure religion in all its branches, and whose work will abide in the great day, will receive a reward. And how great it will be! How much exceeding their merits! There are others whose corrupt opinions and doctrines, or vain inventions and practices in the worship of God, will be made known, disowned, and rejected in that day.

This plainly refers to a figurative fire, not a real one, for what real fire can consume religious rites or doctrines? And it is to test everyone's works—those of Paul and Apollos, as well as others. Let us consider the tendency of our undertakings, compare them with God's word, and judge ourselves, so that we are not judged by the Lord.