1 Corinthians 3:15
New International Version
If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

New Living Translation
But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

English Standard Version
If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

Berean Standard Bible
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames.

Berean Literal Bible
If the work of anyone will be burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, but so as through fire.

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

New King James Version
If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

New American Standard Bible
If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet only so as through fire.

NASB 1995
If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

NASB 1977
If any man’s work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.

Legacy Standard Bible
If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

Amplified Bible
But if any person’s work is burned up [by the test], he will suffer the loss [of his reward]; yet he himself will be saved, but only as [one who has barely escaped] through fire.

Christian Standard Bible
If anyone’s work is burned up, he will experience loss, but he himself will be saved —but only as through fire.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
If anyone’s work is burned up, it will be lost, but he will be saved; yet it will be like an escape through fire.

American Standard Version
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.

Contemporary English Version
But if it is destroyed by the fire, we will lose everything. Yet we ourselves will be saved, like someone escaping from flames.

English Revised Version
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
If his work is burned up, he will suffer [the loss]. However, he will be saved, though it will be like going through a fire.

Good News Translation
But if your work is burnt up, then you will lose it; but you yourself will be saved, as if you had escaped through the fire.

International Standard Version
If his work is burned up, he will suffer loss. However, he himself will be saved, but it will be like going through fire.

Majority Standard Bible
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames.

NET Bible
If someone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

New Heart English Bible
If any man's work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.

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

Weymouth New Testament
If any one's work is burnt up, he will suffer the loss of it; yet he will himself be rescued, but only, as it were, by passing through the fire.

World English Bible
If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
if the work of any is burned up, he will suffer loss, but himself will be saved, but so as through fire.

Berean Literal Bible
If the work of anyone will be burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, but so as through fire.

Young's Literal Translation
if of any the work is burned up, he shall suffer loss; and himself shall be saved, but so as through fire.

Smith's Literal Translation
If the work of any one shall be burned, he shall be caused damage: and he shall be saved; and so as by fire.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
If any man's work burn, he shall suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.

Catholic Public Domain Version
If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer its loss, but he himself will still be saved, but only as through fire.

New American Bible
But if someone’s work is burned up, that one will suffer loss; the person will be saved, but only as through fire.

New Revised Standard Version
If the work is burned up, the builder will suffer loss; the builder will be saved, but only as through fire.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the one whose work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be rescued, even as one who has been saved from the fire.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And whosever work will burn up will suffer loss, but he shall escape, but as if by fire.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
if any man's work be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved, yet so, as through fire.

Godbey New Testament
But if the work of any one shall be burnt up, he shall suffer loss; but himself shall be saved, but as through the fire.

Haweis New Testament
If any man’s work be burnt up, he shall suffer loss: but himself shall be saved; yet so as through the fire.

Mace New Testament
if that man's work should be burnt, he will suffer loss: but should he himself escape, it will be as out of the fire.

Weymouth New Testament
If any one's work is burnt up, he will suffer the loss of it; yet he will himself be rescued, but only, as it were, by passing through the fire.

Worrell New Testament
If any one's work shall be burned up, he will suffer loss, but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.

Worsley New Testament
but if any man's work be burnt, he will be damaged; though he himself shall be saved, but, as it were out of fire.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Christ Our Foundation
14If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. 15If it is burned up, he will suffer loss. He himself will be saved, but only as if through the flames. 16Do you not know that you yourselves are God’s temple, and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?…

Cross References
1 Corinthians 3:13-14
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. / If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward.

1 Corinthians 9:27
No, I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.

Romans 14:10-12
Why, then, do you judge your brother? Or why do you belittle your brother? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. / It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.” / So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.

1 Peter 1:7
so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.

Revelation 20:12-13
And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne. And books were opened, and one of them was the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their deeds, as recorded in the books. / The sea gave up its dead, and Death and Hades gave up their dead, and each one was judged according to his deeds.

Hebrews 10:39
But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Jude 1:23
save others by snatching them from the fire; and to still others show mercy tempered with fear, hating even the clothing stained by the flesh.

1 Corinthians 5:5
hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the Day of the Lord.

2 Timothy 2:20-21
A large house contains not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. Some indeed are for honorable use, but others are for common use. / So if anyone cleanses himself of what is unfit, he will be a vessel for honor: sanctified, useful to the Master, and prepared for every good work.

1 John 2:28
And now, little children, remain in Christ, so that when He appears, we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming.

Philippians 3:8-9
More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ / and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith.

Matthew 3:11-12
I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. / His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Malachi 3:2-3
But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He will be like a refiner’s fire, like a launderer’s soap. / And He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver. Then they will present offerings to the LORD in righteousness.


Treasury of Scripture

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

work.

1 Corinthians 3:12,13
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; …

Revelation 3:18
I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

he shall.

Acts 27:21,44
But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss…

2 John 1:8
Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.

yet.

Amos 4:11
I have overthrown some of you, as God overthrew Sodom and Gomorrah, and ye were as a firebrand plucked out of the burning: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

Zechariah 3:2
And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?

1 Peter 4:18
And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

Jump to Previous
Burned Burnt Consumed End Escaping Fire Flames Loss One's Passing Puts Rescued Salvation Saved Suffer Work
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Burned Burnt Consumed End Escaping Fire Flames Loss One's Passing Puts Rescued Salvation Saved Suffer Work
1 Corinthians 3
1. Milk is fit for children.
3. Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind.
7. He who plants and He who waters are nothing.
9. The ministers are God's fellow workmen.
11. Christ the only foundation.
16. You are the temples of God, which must be kept holy.
19. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.














If it is burned up
This phrase refers to the works of a believer being tested by fire, as described in the preceding verses. The Greek word for "burned up" is "κατακαίω" (katakaio), which means to consume wholly or to burn down. In the context of 1 Corinthians 3, Paul uses the metaphor of fire to represent God's judgment and testing of the quality of each person's work. Historically, fire has been a symbol of purification and judgment throughout Scripture, as seen in passages like Malachi 3:2-3 and 1 Peter 1:7. The imagery suggests that only what is built on the foundation of Christ with enduring materials will survive this divine scrutiny.

he will suffer loss
The Greek word for "suffer loss" is "ζημιόω" (zēmioō), which implies damage or forfeiture. This phrase indicates that while the believer's works may not withstand the test, resulting in a loss of reward, the individual himself is not lost. The concept of suffering loss here is not about eternal damnation but rather the loss of potential rewards in the kingdom of God. This aligns with the conservative Christian understanding that salvation is secure in Christ, but rewards are contingent upon faithful service and obedience.

He himself will be saved
The assurance of salvation is a central tenet of conservative Christian theology. The Greek word for "saved" is "σῴζω" (sōzō), meaning to rescue or deliver. This emphasizes the security of the believer's salvation, which is not dependent on works but on faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2:8-9 reinforces this by stating that salvation is a gift of God, not a result of works. The phrase underscores the grace and mercy of God, ensuring that even if one's works are inadequate, the believer's eternal destiny remains secure.

but only as if through the flames
This phrase uses the imagery of escaping through fire to illustrate the narrowness of the escape. The Greek word "διά" (dia) means "through," and "πῦρ" (pur) means "fire." The imagery suggests a scenario where a person escapes a burning building, emerging with their life but nothing else. Historically, fire has been a refining agent, and in this context, it serves as a metaphor for the testing of one's life work. The conservative Christian perspective sees this as a call to live a life of genuine faith and good works, not for salvation, but as a response to it, aiming to build with materials that will endure the test of divine judgment. This serves as an encouragement to pursue holiness and faithful service, knowing that while salvation is assured, the quality of one's life work will be evaluated.

(15) So as.--These words remind us that the whole passage, and especially the reference to fire, is to be regarded as metaphorical, and not to be understood in a literal and physical sense. Forgetting this, Roman divines have evolved from these words the doctrine of purgatory.

Verse 15. - He shall suffer loss. He shall not receive the full reward to which he might otherwise look (2 John 1:8). He himself shall be saved. It is an inexpressible source of comfort to us, amid the weakness and ignorance of our lives, to know that if we have only erred through human frailty and feebleness, while yet we desired to be sincere and faithful, the work will be burnt, yet the workman will be saved. Some of the Fathers gave to this beautiful verse the shockingly perverted meaning that "the workman would be preserved alive for endless torments," "salted with fire" in order to endure interminable agonies. The meaning is impossible, for it reverses the sense of the word "saved;" and makes it equivalent to "damned;" but the interpretation is an awful proof of the distortions to which a merciless human rigorism and a hard, self styled orthodoxy have sometimes subjected the Word of God. Yet so as by fire; rather, through or by means of fire (διὰ πυρός). We may be, as it were, "snatched as a brand from the burning" (Zechariah 3:2; Amos 4:11; Jude 1:23), and "scarcely" saved (1 Peter 4:18). Similarly it is said in 1 Peter 3:20 that Noah was saved "through water" (δι ὕδατος). The ship is lost, the sailor saved; the workman is saved, the work is burned.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
If
εἴ (ei)
Conjunction
Strong's 1487: If. A primary particle of conditionality; if, whether, that, etc.

[it]
τινος (tinos)
Interrogative / Indefinite Pronoun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 5100: Any one, some one, a certain one or thing. An enclitic indefinite pronoun; some or any person or object.

is burned up,
κατακαήσεται (katakaēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2618: To burn up, consume entirely. From kata and kaio; to burn down, i.e. Consume wholly.

he will suffer loss.
ζημιωθήσεται (zēmiōthēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 2210: From zemia; to injure, i.e. to experience detriment.

He himself
αὐτὸς (autos)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

will be saved,
σωθήσεται (sōthēsetai)
Verb - Future Indicative Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4982: To save, heal, preserve, rescue. From a primary sos; to save, i.e. Deliver or protect.

but only
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

as if
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

through
διὰ (dia)
Preposition
Strong's 1223: A primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through.

[the] flames.
πυρός (pyros)
Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular
Strong's 4442: Fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire. A primary word; 'fire'.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man's work is burned he (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
1 Corinthians 3:14
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