Christ, the Church's Foundation

November 9th, 2026
by Lance Waldie

1 Corinthians 3:9b-11 …you are God’s field, God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

In the previous context, Paul spoke of ministry like that of a farmer. One person sows the seed (the evangelist), another person waters the seed (the pastor-teacher). Yet it is God who causes the growth (vv. 5-7). In vv. 9b-10, Paul uses another metaphor—that of God’s building.” This building has a “foundation…which is Christ” (v. 11) and a structure—the people who come to believe in Jesus as the Christ (cf. 1 Pet. 2:4-5). These comprise Christ’s Church, a structure being built day-by-day from Paul’s day to the present day. As the evangelist who initially brought the gospel to Corinth, Paul refers to himself as a “wise master builder” (v. 10), a task he says “was given” to him “according to the grace of God.” He thus knew that the only thing for which he could boast was what God had given him. He further recognized that his ability to share Christ with others was all about God. Paul was “wise” in the sense of preaching God’s wisdom.

Now in sharing this gospel, Paul says that, as a master builder, he “laid a foundation.” Just like a builder lays the initial foundation on level soil so as to support the structure, Paul speaks spiritually when he says that he laid the foundation of the gospel. This foundation refers to God’s wisdom, not worldly philosophy; the word of God, not the word of man. Any church therefore that is not built upon the gospel of Jesus Christ is not a Christian church. Of course many fall into this error, for some churches are built on helping the poor, counseling the weak, and encouraging the faint-hearted. All of these are well-intentioned works, but unless such works are the fruit of Christians built on the foundation of Christ, they are ultimately wasted works.

The middle phrase in v. 10 says in reference to the foundation that Paul laid, that “another is building upon it.” Note the ongoing tense of the verb—is building upon it. This refers to the fact that building upon the foundation of Christ (evangelism and teaching) is an ongoing process. The building therefore represents Christ’s Church comprised of believers. Paul was the founder (in Corinth), God owns the building, and laborers are rewarded for their service (cf. 3:6; 4:5).

Notably, the latter phrase of v. 10 presents a stern warning: “but each man must be careful how he builds on it.” The emphasis is thus on the “how” one builds, referring to the quality of materials used. Being a “wise” master builder, we are reminded that he is still on the topic of ministry constructed according to God’s wisdom, not human wisdom. Paul is thus using “materials” in this context as the simple, God-ordained preaching of the gospel—the “how.”

In v. 11, the mention of “another who builds” on the foundation laid by the builder, in this case Paul, would certainly refer to Apollos (cf. 3:6) in the immediate context. Also in view are any and all who are involved in the building up of Christ’s Church as evangelists and teachers through the centuries until Christ returns. All are servants; God causes the growth (3:5-7).

Food For Thought
Perhaps you’re a craftsman, a scholar, or one with great athletic ability. Maybe you are a gifted evangelist who has led many to Christ. Whatever you’re good at, remember that your talent is a gift from God. In Paul’s case, he was a gifted evangelist “according to the grace of God” given to him. He thus recognized his gift and put it to work for God’s glory. God’s words through the apostle laid the foundation of Jesus Christ. Today, we build on that foundation through evangelism and teaching, proclaiming what Christ and His apostles proclaimed, and instructing believers to obey Christ. No other “materials” are welcome. Only the biblical truth.