February 15, 2022 – Tuesday
1 Corinthians 3:12-13 NIV
12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,
13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.
1 Corinthians 3:12-13 BSB
12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,
13 his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.
Comment.
I have included these verses in the Berean Study Bible (BSB) as few Bible versions actually read because the Day will bring it to light even though bring it to the lightis clearly implied. For context let’s look at verses 10-11 where Paul writes, By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
What makes this so interesting is that the Day being discussed is The day of the coming of the Lord is always thus represented as bursting suddenly with a rush of light and blaze of fire upon the earth (Ellicott’s Commentary). This was prophesied in Malachi 4:1 where we read, Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire,” says the Lord Almighty. “Not a root or a branch will be left to them.
However, the Benson Commentary makes things much clearer, But the apostle’s primary meaning here is, that it shall be made manifest what kind of materials every spiritual builder uses, that is, what kind of doctrines every minister of Christ preaches, whether they are true or false, important or trivial, calculated to produce genuine repentance, faith, and holiness in the hearers, or not; to promote the real conversion of sinners, and edification of believers, or otherwise: and of consequence, what kind of converts every minister makes, whether they be such as can stand the fiery trial or not.
It all brings to mind a line from an old song, What have you done for me lately? When that Day comes and what we have done is evaluated we will have to answer that question beyond just lately. We should want to be prepared with evidence that backs up a positive answer. What have we done for the Gospel since our salvation? What are we going to do knowing that is a question we will have to answer?
Prayer: Father God, Help me keep focused on sharing the Gospel by action or by word. Let me do it with kindness and love for Galatians 5:6b says, The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Help me to always keep this in mind as the Day comes ever nearer. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton
in Beavercreek