1 Corinthians 3:10

Christ the only foundation.

Grace of God. Paul acknowledged that everything he had accomplished in founding the church in Corinth had been by the favor of God. God appointed him to his work as the apostle to the Gentiles (see Acts 9:15, 16; 26:16-18; 2 Cor. 1:1; Gal. 1:1). A special feature of his work was the founding of new churches (see Rom. 15:20).

Wise. Gr. sophos, here meaning “skilled.”

Masterbuilder. Gr. architekton, from which our English word “architect” is derived. Architekton comes from the word archi, meaning “chief’ (compare the term archaggelos, “archangel”), and tekton, “a craftsman,” derived from tiktd, “to beget,” “to produce.”

Architekton occurs nowhere else in the NT, but the phrase sophos architekton occurs in the LXX of Isa 3:3, where the KJV reads “cunning artificer.” Paul had proceeded with the work of establishing the church by laying a firm foundation, as would a skillful architect in the erection of a building. On such a foundation other gospel workers could continue the work of building, knowing that the believers were firmly grounded in the fundamental principles of truth.

How he buildeth. Paul’s successors were to be careful how they built upon the foundation the apostle had laid. There is an implied warning also against false teachers. Paul’s work was frequently interfered with by those whose teaching was not based upon the simple truths of the gospel (see Acts 15:1, 2, 24; 2 Cor. 11:26; Gal. 1:8, 9; 2:4, 5). Not only is it essential that new converts be faithfully instructed in the basic doctrines of the church, but also that they be carefully protected against erroneous teachings of misguided fanatics who might arise.