1 Corinthians 3:15 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹⁵ But if anyone’s work is burned up [i.e., does not survive the judgment], he will experience loss [i.e., of his converts], but he himself will [still] be saved, like a person escaping from the fire [i.e., of a burning building, which consumes his efforts].

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹⁵ If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹⁵ But if any person's work is burned up [under the test], he will suffer the loss [of it all, losing his reward], though he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has passed] through fire. [Job 23:10.]

American Standard Version (1901)

¹⁵ If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.

Common English Bible

¹⁵ But if anyone’s work goes up in flames, they’ll lose it. However, they themselves will be saved as if they had gone through a fire.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹⁵ If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer its loss, but he himself will still be saved, but only as through fire.

1 Corinthians 3:15 Cross References

Acts 27:21

When they had gone without food for a long time, Paul stood in the middle of the crew and spoke, “Men, you should have listened to me and not sailed from Crete and thereby have to experience such suffering and loss.

Acts 27:44

The rest [he reasoned] could reach shore by floating on planks or other debris from the ship. And so it happened that all of them escaped safely to land.

1 Peter 4:18

And if people who are trying to do right [i.e., Christians] are saved through [suffering] such difficulties, where will the ungodly and sinful person end up, [if not in hell]?

2 John 1:8

Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you do not lose what we [Note: Some Greek manuscripts say “you”] worked for [i.e., the spiritual blessings you have acquired], but [continue faithful] so that you will receive a full reward. [See Luke 12:47-48; James 3:1; Matt. 20:1-15].

Jude 1:23

you should save others [from hell, as though you were] snatching them out of the fire. And you should show pity toward some people, [coupled] with a fear [of the consequences of sin], hating the clothing contaminated by a physical sore [i.e., hating sin so much as to avoid it at all costs].

Revelation 3:18

[Because of that], I advise you to buy from me gold, refined by fire, so that you will become rich; and white clothing to wear, so that you can cover yourself and not be seen as shamefully naked; and eye drops for your eyes, so that you can see. [Note: The foregoing all refer to taking measures for becoming more spiritual].