January 25, 2024
by Rick Combs
I have often wondered what the Gold – Silver – Precious Stones are in 1 Corinthians 3:12. Other earthly elements are also mentioned; wood – hay – stubble. It is obvious that these are consumable while the gold, silver, and precious stones endure fire.
I want to focus on the enduring costly jewels from our passage; “Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble…“ (1 Corinthians 3:12).
What do they represent? How do we find out? As with any Bible study, we compare scripture with scripture and look for other places where Gold – Silver – and Precious Stones are mentioned. This will give us light as to the identity of these non-consumable precious elements.
Proverbs 3:13-15 “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.”
In this passage, we see gold, silver, and precious stones connected with Wisdom and Understanding.
Proverbs 16:16-17 “How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! 17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keepeth his way preserveth his soul.”
Wisdom and understanding are much better than gold and silver. They are the instructions of the righteous that facilitate the departure from evil to the preservation of the soul.
Proverbs 20:15 “There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.”
This proverb adds to Wisdom and Understanding – Knowledge.
Psalms 19:7-11 declares that whatever comes from God’s Word; His law, testimony, statues, and commandments is to be desired more than gold.
Let’s go over to Paul’s epistles. 2 Timothy 2:15-21 is a warning to the body of Christ that profane and vain babblings are to be shunned and avoided. From the context, this is false doctrine which Paul classifies as iniquity. Verses 20-21 conclude with this important instruction.
“But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work”.
In the Church, the body of Christ there are some who adhere to bad doctrine that is not dispensational nor rightly divided. This is likened unto wood which is earthly. You could also add other similes such as hay and stubble. I Corinthians 3:12-15 tells us these will be consumed by the fire of the Lord at the judgment seat of Christ. The pure sound doctrine of the mystery revealed to Paul will survive the fire and reap the rewards of our inheritance.
Proverbs 4:5-7 “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. 6 Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. 7 Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
The wisdom, understanding, and knowledge that is to be obtained is specific to the dispensation in which one lives. For us today, it is the dispensation of the grace of God (Ephesians 3:2). It is all of the scriptures generally and Paul’s 13 epistles specifically.
Back to our original question in regard to 1 Corinthians 3:12. We see from the Word of God that Gold – Silver – Precious Stone are sound doctrine. More specifically, the doctrine of the Mystery and the message of Grace in our day. This is what we are to believe and follow in our present dispensation of Grace.
Grace and peace unto you. Amen.