1 Corinthians 3:10

An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

Using the unearned favor shown to me by God [Note: Paul here probably refers to his apostleship and its attending spiritual gifts], as an expert building contractor, I laid the foundation [i.e., in starting the Corinthian church], and someone else is building on it [i.e., Apollos. See verse 6].

Cross References

Matthew 24:45

“Who then, is the trustworthy and sensible slave, to whom his master has assigned the management of his household to provide timely meals for its members?

Matthew 7:24

“Every person therefore, who hears these words of mine and obeys them will be like the sensible person who built his house on a [foundation of] rock.

Luke 11:35

Look therefore, [to see] whether or not the light that is in you [i.e., your perspective on things] might [actually] be darkness [i.e., a distorted perspective].

Luke 21:8

And He replied, “Pay attention, so that you are not led astray [from the truth]. For many [false teachers] will come, claiming to be me, and saying, ‘I am [the Christ],’ and ‘The time is near.’ [But] do not go after them.

Acts 18:27

And when he desired to travel over into Achaia, he was encouraged [to do so] by the brothers, who wrote to the disciples [in Achaia and urged them] to welcome him. When he arrived [in Achaia] he was a great help to those who had become believers through the unearned favor of God. [Note: An alternate meaning is, “he was a great help, through God’s unearned favor upon him, to those who had become believers”].

Romans 1:5

It was through Jesus, and for His name’s sake, that we [i.e., I] received God’s favor to become an apostle, in order to bring about obedience based on faith from among people of all nations.

Romans 12:3

And because of God’s unearned favor shown to me [i.e., in appointing me to be an apostle], I am telling every person among you not to think he is more important than he really is. Instead, he should have a sensible estimate [of his gifts] in harmony with the degree of faith God has given to each person.

Romans 15:15

But I have written to you quite boldly in some places to remind you [of certain things], because of the favor shown to me by God,

Romans 15:20

Now it has been my ambition to preach the good news at places where Christ’s name has never been heard, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.

1 Corinthians 3:11

For no one can lay [any] other foundation than the one which [God] has [already] lain, which is Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:2

[Even] if I am not [accepted as] an apostle with other people, at least I am with you. For you people are my seal [i.e., proof] of my apostleship in [the service of] the Lord.

2 Corinthians 10:15

So, we will not go beyond our proper limits by boasting of work [already] done by others, but we hope that, as your faith increases, our field of service among you will [also] greatly expand.

Ephesians 2:20

[You are] built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets [See I Cor. 12:28], with Christ Jesus Himself being the principal stone by which the entire building is aligned.

Colossians 1:29

This is the reason that I work hard and struggle also, using God’s mighty power which is at work in me.

Colossians 4:17

And tell Archippus [Note: He may have been the preacher at Colosse or Laodicia. See Philemon 1:1-2]; “See to it that you fulfill your ministry [there], which you have received in [the service of] the Lord.”

1 Thessalonians 3:2

and so we [i.e., I] sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow-worker in [the ministry of] the Gospel, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith,

1 Timothy 4:16

Pay close attention to yourself and to what you teach [people]. Continue doing these things, for in doing them you will both save yourself and those who listen to you.

2 Timothy 2:15

Do your best to present yourself as a worker who is approved by God [and] does not have to be ashamed, [because you are] accurately handling [i.e., explaining] the message of truth.

James 3:1

Not many of you should be teachers, my brothers, because you [should] know that we [teachers] will be judged more strictly.

1 Peter 4:11

If someone’s gift is speaking, he should [be sure to] say only what God wants him to. If a person’s gift is serving, he should do so by the strength provided by God [who supplies all such gifts]. This is so that, in using all gifts, God may be honored through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs honor and power forever and ever. May it be so.

2 Peter 3:15

And consider [that] the patience of the Lord means [further opportunities for] salvation, [just] as our dearly loved brother Paul also wrote to you, using the wisdom given to him by God.

Revelation 21:14

And the wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb [were inscribed on them].

Revelation 21:19

The foundation of the city’s wall was decorated with all kinds of precious stones [Note: Not all of the following stones listed can be accurately identified today]. The first foundation stone was jasper [i.e., a bluish-colored stone]; the second was sapphire; the third was chalcedony [i.e., a translucent quartz of pale blue or gray]; the fourth was emerald;