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I. ALL CHRISTIAN MEN BUILD FOR ETERNITY UPON ONE AND THE SAME FOUNDATION (ver. 11).

1. Sin had laid the world in a state of ruin; and if another temple could be constructed it must have a foundation firmer and broader than that which fallen nature could furnish. Human sagacity might suggest penitence, reformation, suffering. But none of those, nor all united, could answer the purpose.

2. When the incompetency of the law had been demonstrated, God "laid in Zion a foundation"; and "he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded." As Christ is the foundation of the universal temple of God, so is He also the foundation of each believer. It matters not in what clime they have fixed their dwelling, &c. In Christ they are one, and on Him, as their common support, they repose.

II. CHRISTIAN MEN GREATLY DIFFER IN THE MATERIALS WHICH THEY USE IN THE ERECTION OF THE BUILDING.

1. Some build "gold, silver, and precious stones." The superstructure which they rear is of a costly and glorious character. The materials are emblematical of preciousness, purity, solidity, and permanency. There are some characters formed of elements as pure and indestructible as the principles upon which they are reared.

2. There are others who build on the same foundation "wood, hay, and stubble"; materials which are perishable, corrupt, and comparatively worthless.

III. THERE WILL BE A PERIOD IN WHICH THESE MATERIALS SHALL BE REVEALED IN THEIR TRUE NATURE, AND TRIED BY THE SEVEREST TEST (ver. 13). The day referred to is clearly the day of judgment. Independent of revelation, we have many evidences confirmatory of this truth.

1. Analogy. Everything here tends to a final close. The universe itself is marching on towards dissolution.

2. The aspirations and the forebodings of humanity. The moral character of God. There must be another day in which that which is now wrong and imperfect shall be rectified and completed.

IV. THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTED OF PURE MATERIALS WILL ABIDE THE TEST, AND THE BUILDER BE RECOMPENSED (ver. 14).

1. The work of the wise builder is indestructible. As it regards —

(1) Himself: his sentiments, feelings, spirit are in harmony with the laws of heaven.

(2) Others: the doctrines, &c., are right and Scriptural. As a necessary consequence, the fabric erected of such materials cannot but abide. Having been erected on the same principles which have the throne of the Eternal, their period of duration will be analogous.

2. The builder shall be rewarded. His reward will be a reward of —

(1)  Grateful recollection.

(2)  Inward satisfaction.

(3)  Remunerative labour.

(4)  Public approval.

(5)  Divine recompense.

3. The reward shall be in proportion to the work done. "Every man shall receive according to his own labour." Heaven will be what we make it on earth.

V. THE BUILDING CONSTRUCTED OF PERISHABLE MATERIALS SHALL BE CONSUMED — THE BUILDER SUSTAIN LOSS, BUT WITH DIFFICULTY SAVED (ver. 15). The very idea of erecting "wood, hay, and stubble" upon an everlasting foundation was highly imprudent. What could be more incongruous, or more indicative of misplaced labour? However, such a building cannot stand; the investigations of the last day are more than it can bear.

1. As a consequence "he shall suffer loss" —

(1) Of labour. All that he has done, with one exception, has been done in vain.

(2) Of inward satisfaction. He might have reared a durable building; but he wasted his time and energy in another way.

(3) Of hope. He expected his labour to be accepted by his Judge and rewarded accordingly. He is now stripped of all such anticipations.

(4) Of reward. A reward can never be given but in connection with service rendered. This loss will be everlasting in its effects; it shall be a detriment to him to all eternity.

2. He himself shall be saved. The groundwork abides upon which he has been erecting, and, in virtue of this, he is safe.

(D. Evans.)

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KJV: For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

WEB: For no one can lay any other foundation than that which has been laid, which is Jesus Christ.