ACC ~ 1 Corinthians 3 v12

BUILDING ON WOOD, HAY AND STRAW. ORIGEN: If we think what is right and good, then we are building on a foundation of gold. If we repeat every holy word that has been spoken without corrupting it, then we are building on a foundation of silver. If all our works are good, then we are building on precious stones. But if I sin after laying the foundation, then I am building on wood; if I continue, I am building on hay, and finally, if I still go on, I am building on straw. COMMENTARY ON 1 CORINTHIANS 1.15.46-55.

TYPES OF BUILDING MATERIALS. PELAGIUS: The house does not build itself; somebody has to put the walls up. This is the role of teachers in the church. The gold, silver, etc., represent six different types of hearers. Gold stands for good respondents, silver for better ones (because silver is stronger than gold) and precious stones for the best of all. Similarly, wood stands for bad people, hay for those who are worse and straw for the worst of all. COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 3.

THE FOUNDATION IS THE SAME FOR ALL THE FAITHFUL. CHRYSOSTOM: Our faith is the foundation, and it is the same for everyone. But in life, not everyone is the same. Some are diligent, others lazy. Some are high achievers, others more average. Some do well in greater things, others shine in lesser matters. Some people’s mistakes are more serious than others’. This is why we find the variety here. Furthermore, the judgment applies to the effort, not to the results. A teacher cannot be faulted merely because his pupils refuse to listen. HOMILIES ON THE EPISTLES OF PAUL TO THE CORINTHIANS 9.5.

MORAL MATERIALS. THEODORET OF CYR: Some people think that this refers to the development of Christian doctrine, but a glance at the context will show that Paul is talking about morals and behavior here. COMMENTARY ON THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS 182.

1 Cor