My mind began to search out the meaning of Paul’s use of the building materials in I Corinthians 3:12 some twenty-five years ago. I was in Australia and heard a sermon on this passage by a Calvinist. He said that after conversion if a person fell back into wicked sins, he was building "wood, hay" or "straw" rather than "gold, silver, costly stones." Since the believer was on the foundation, verse 11, the fire could not hurt him for he shall be saved, verse 15; only his works will burn and he will suffer the loss of reward.

My Wesleyan understanding of Scripture would not let me believe this preacher’s exegesis, but his interpretation inspired me to seek the true meaning of this passage. Surely Paul had a clear view as to what he meant by "hay, wood, straw" and "fire" and loss of reward. I wanted to know to what he was referring.

In the first place Paul made very clear that these Corinthians to whom he was writing were believers. The church was "sanctified" and "called to be holy" (1:2) and was classified with the other Christians in all places. God’s grace had been given to them (1:4) and they were "enriched in every way" (1:5). Paul was assured that God would keep them "strong to the end" and they would be blameless in the day of His coming (1:8).

Even though Paul knew of serious defects among these people at Corinth, he was very confident about their being chosen by God (1:27) and that they were "in Christ Jesus" (1:30) and that their faith rested in the power of God (2:5). Though these Corinthians were still needing to be fed with milk – "infants in Christ" (3:1-2), still they were planted had been watered, and were growing (3:6). They were clearly "God’s field, God’s building" (3:9).

Paul was concerned that the right foundation should be laid. After using the figure of a field, he changed to that of a building (3:6-9). Before a building could be erected, there must be a foundation. Paul as "expert builder" had laid the foundation (3:10). He knew that the one he laid was the only one that could save and that it was Jesus Christ (3:11).

Jesus revealed the same truth in His statement "and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it" (Mathew 16:18). He also emphasized the same truth when He pointed out that the house will stand in the storms only if it is founded on the rock (Mathew 7:24-25). Peter believed this when he declared that "there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12), or when he quoted from the Scripture, "See I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame" (I Peter 2:6).

That these Corinthians to whom Paul wrote were believers and truly born-again Christians is quite clear. It is true that some of them could have backslidden and lost their faith, but Paul is addressing himself to those on the foundation (3:12). They were in Christ; they had been planted; they were on the foundation, and in the end they would be saved. Only children of God can be spoken of in this manner.

It is clear in the context that Paul was addressing primarily the Christian believers at Corinth who had become partisans with their leaders. Following verse nine, he talked about the builders of materials on this foundation he had laid. Many exegetes conclude that Paul is warning only the leaders who succeeded him about their faulty building. In this case only the leaders would be saved; all faulty material would be burned.

However, it is clear in chapter three that Paul addressed himself especially to the believers in general in verses 1-3. In verse 5 and 6 he refers to Apollos as a servant through whom they believed, and who "watered" the planting. The real cause of growing was "God, who makes things grow." Paul saw himself at one with Apollos, and together they were not anything, because the church was "God’s field, God’s building" (v. 9).

From verse 16 to the end of chapter three, it is again very clear that Paul addresses the believers of Corinth in general. To make verses 10-15 to apply only to the leaders creates an inconsistency in Paul’s whole purpose. He wants the believer to know that leaders are not important enough to divide over. In fact, they are one with the leader and all work together. In chapter 12 Paul said that God’s gifts are given for the common good at to each one as God determines. In fact, all parts of the body participate in the building process. So I will consider here that all believers are builders.

There is quite a variety indicated in the quality of these building materials. Some are "gold" and some are "straw." There are some Christians who build "gold, silver, costly stones" with their work and there are those who build with "wood, hay, or straw" (3:12). With such a variance in Christian work, one finds it difficult to judge one another’s grace by the kind of building he is doing! No wonder Jesus said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged" (Mathew 7:1).

Since it is fire that tests this work, it is plain that there are only two kinds of material – that which stands the fire and that which burns. When a Christian builds on the foundation, he is either doing that which will last or that which will perish. It is possible that any one Christian could have a little of both, or there may be believers who are building all gold, or all straw.

What is this straw? Contrary to my Calvinist preacher, I must say it cannot be acts of deliberate and willful sin. If a person falls back into willful sinning, there is no biblical basis for believing he is still a child of God. In Hebrews 10:26 we read, "If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgement out of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God." Or in I John 3:9 it is written, "No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot sin, because he has been born of God."

One matter that Scripture speaks clearly to is that a Christian believer does not practice sin – that is willfully and knowingly transgress God’s law. If he falls back into such acts after believing, he falls from grace and is no longer on the foundation. This kind of sinning cannot be the "straw" builded onto the foundation.

In the context of this passage Paul pressed home the same thought. In chapter six, verses 9-11 he wrote, "Don’t you know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexual immoral or idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God."

Here Paul in just three chapters after claiming that the Corinthians were building straw on the foundation declared that they were no longer doing wickedly. From the old life they had been washed and were now heirs of the kingdom. Building straw did not put them back into the old category of wicked sinning.

What, then, is the "straw"? Surely it is not a difference in talents. God endows persons with differing talents and bestows His gifts as He will. Because a child of God is gifted for service which brings superior results is no proof he is building with gold while another saint with little or no gift is building with straw. In fact, it is quite possible that the gifted person with many visible results may be building "straw," while the unnoticed child of God may be building "gold."

Careful analysis of this passage reveals that it may not be known now as to what the materials are in a person’s life, at least to the casual observer. The Word declares that "the Day will bring it to light" (3:13). There will be surprises when that "Day" comes. However, there is indication in the passage that one can know how "gold" is builded on the foundation, and what the "straw" is. The difference goes deeper than what may show on the surface.

In verse 10 Paul warned that each one "should be careful how he builds." The word "how" emphasizes the method or manner of building more than what is done. When the fire comes, it "will test the quality of each man’s work" (3:13). Obviously Paul thought more about the motivation for windicatfact, it is quite possible that the gifted person with many visible results may be building "straw," while the unnoticed child of God may be building "gold."

Careful analysis of this passage reveals that it may not be known now as to what the materials are in a person’s life, at least to the casual observer. The Word declares that "the Day will bring it to light" (3:13). There will be surprises when that "Day" comes. However, there is indicatwon in the passage that one can know how "gold" is builded on the foundation, and what the "straw" is. The difference goes deeper than what may show on the surface.

In verse 10 Paul warned that each one "should be careful how he builds." The word "how" emphasizes the method or manner of building more than what is done. When the fire comes, it "will test the quality of each man’s work" (3:13). Obviously Paul thought more about the motivation for work than the actual work. It is quite possible that the gifted person with many visible results may be building "straw," while the unnoticed child of God may be building "gold."

It should also be noted that Paul used the singular of the word "work". The reward is "according to his own labor" (3:8). It is "his work that will be shown for what it is" and it is the fire that "will test the quality of each man's work" (3:13). Such language implies it is not so much the works one does that determines quality, but the nature of the work itself. It is the overall quality of one's working that determines the reward.

To get at Paul’s meaning even more, the total context of his letter is important. He was writing to a church which, though gifted by the spirit (1:7), had quarreling and divisions (1:10-11). Their problem was not that they were poor, or foolish, or weak, or lowly (1:26-28). God can take such persons as these to demonstrate His power and wisdom (2:4-5). Their problem was the boasting in men rather than in the Lord (1:30).

Actually Paul saw two kinds of Christian builders. In 3:1-3 he could not write to these Corinthians as "spiritual but as worldly – mere infants in Christ." They could not endure the solid food because there were "jealousy and quarreling" among them. They act like men rather than saints.

The epistle to the Hebrews pictures Christians in a similar fashion. The author wrote, ""n fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need some one to teach you the elementary truths of God’s Word all over again. You need milk not solid food! … But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews 5:11-14). Here the two classes are babes and mature people. Maturity may not be so much a result of age as willing ness to learn and become teachers. It is a perfection of heart motive.

Paul explained to Corinthians (I Corinthians 2:10-16) that the things of the Spirit are spiritually discerned. Man in his natural state cannot perceive these spiritual things – "They are foolishness to him" (2:14). But when salvation comes, and the "mind of Christ" is bestowed, the ideal is to possess immediately the spiritual mind – the full mind of Christ.

But Paul saw these Christians, as he did in other churches, falling short of that ideal. In fact they fell so far short as to be called "infants" and to be acting as "mere men." He claimed them as "infants in Christ" (3:1), as (God’s field, God’s building" (3:9). They were on the foundation, but were building in a wrong manner. Rather than building in the Spirit, they were acting in the flesh. Some of the old life still clung to their actions. They were being led by fleshly desires, rather than by the Spirit.

Here a careful distinction must be made. A person acting as a mere man, or allowing a place for carnal desires, is not necessarily guilty deliberate and known disobedience to God. Though this line may be hazy to observers, God who knows the heart can witness to saving faith which removes guilt while He condemns the yielding to fleshly desire. Apparently "straw" is that remaining fleshliness in the heart that reveals itself in jealousy, pride, envy, anger, and other marks of the flesh. There is nothing attractive about these traits, and they need the covering of the blood. They so contaminate our work that it can be called "wood, hay or straw."

One can pinpoint this carnal ailment by asking these questions, (Why do I do this work? Do I preach this sermon to gain applause, to show skill, to entertain, to fulfill a duty, or do I preach to bring glory to God and to edify the church? When I perform in music or other ways, am I motivated completely by God’s glory, His name and the good of others, or do remuneration, applause, and human glory predominate?"

If a person boasts in men and man’s abilities and wisdom, then he builds with "straw." If he builds for self and selfish ends, or for human glory or earthly gain, then he builds "wood, hay or straw." However, if God is his chief aim, and God’s glory has his exclusive purpose, then he builds "gold, silver, costly stones." "So then," Paul wrote, "no more boasting about men" (3:21). If one wants his building to be eternal, then he should "be careful how he builds."

In that day the fire will reveal the sort of work one has done. All that has been done with carnal motives will burn. This is not the fire of hell that consumes the wicked; this is God’s fire that destroys faulty work. To await that day to learn that one’s building is faulty could be shocking, although God should wipe away all tears from the eyes.

If the work "is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames" (3:15). To be saved in the end is no small thing, even though "through the flames." Here the blood of the covenant atones even when Christians fail to attain a pure heart. Their failure to become holy could result from ignorance of the promises, a weakened faith to appropriate God’s best, or a confused mind growing out of unfortunate experiences. Many lose the blessing of holiness after it is attained, and others just fail to press on to victory. As a result too many Christians continue to build "straw."

It is easy to condemn where God does not. He alone knows the heart. To classify all who are "infants" and "walk as mere men" as backslidden and lost is more than Paul did. Anyone who loves God, obeys when light is clear, and trusts in Christ will not be lost. He may lose his reward, but he will be saved.

We know that holiness is necessary to get to heaven (Hebrews 12:14). We also know it is God’s fire through the Holy Spirit that purges the heart (Acts 15:9) and burns up "the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Mathew 3:11-12). It is doubtful that the fire here (I Corinthians 3:13) purges the heart at this time. The "Day" is a day of judgement and the time of revelation. God’s fire, though, not only reveals, but punishes sinners and purges away sin in the believer. If the purging flame has not removed all evil from the heart in life, it must before there is entrance into heaven. Wesley believed it would occur for such believers just before death through the blood of the covenant. He taught that one could live on this lower way, which is a good way, and be saved in the end, but would not attain as "higher a place in heaven" (Works, VI, 28-29). In other words there would be less or no reward.

However, God wants to purge the heart completely now. Paul in II Timothy 2:20-21 wrote, "In a large house there are not only articles of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some are ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work." The "straw" can be purged away even in this life so that only the "gold" remains.

Paul implied that believers need not build straw in this chapter three. They were carnal when they ought to be spiritual; they drank milk when they should have eaten meat (3:1-2). He exhorted them to be careful "how" they built. Such language implies that with care they could have done otherwise. Paul told them one "should become a fool so that he may become wise" (3:18). These believers were acting foolishly in their building; they should change that pattern!

A classical example of these two kinds of believers is found in Abraham and Lot. When it became necessary for them to separate, Lot chose the plains of Jordan and pitched his tent toward Sodom. He may have justified his choice as good business, or even as his having good influence on the wicked. In any case he followed human desires and human wisdom, rather than spiritual ones.

That Lot was righteous is clear in II Peter 2:7. Lot is called a "righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men" and was "tormented by the lawless deeds he saw and heard." Yet in the end, he lost most of his family, all his property and influence. He was saved, but his work was burned up. Abraham exemplifies the spiritual, while Lot is a type of the carnal or "worldly" Christian.

In summary, these are Paul’s thoughts in this passage:

1. God through his servants begins a good work in the believer
2. Each person is placed on the solid rock, Christ Jesus, when he begins the Christian life.
3. Every Christian begins to build materials onto the foundation already laid.
4. The material identifies the work as anything from gold to straw.
5. A Christian should take heed how he builds.
6. The fire at the end will reveal the kind of work one does.
7. The work that endures results from living and acting in the Spirit, rather than in the flesh.
8. Believers may have their work destroyed, but they will be saved.
9. "Infants in Christ" can become "spiritual" and build with holy lives.
10. God’s fire will burn the "straw in that Day," and leave only the gold.
11. Building with gold results from a heart made pure from fleshliness.

Edited be KimberLee Bingham for the Wesley Center for Applied Theology of Northwest Nazarene University, 2000.