1 Corinthians 3:13 Meaning and Explanation
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →A coming day will expose and test every person's work by fire, showing what it truly was.
What Does 1 Corinthians 3:13 Mean?
Paul presses the image toward judgment. There is a day coming when every builder's work shall be made manifest, brought into the open. Fire will reveal it, testing of what sort it is.
Nothing built on Christ is hidden from Him. The fire is not arbitrary destruction but a refining test that distinguishes the lasting from the worthless. This sober hope steadies the believer: our labor is seen, weighed, and proven by God, so it is worth building well.
1 Corinthians 3:13 in the Original Language
dokimazo (δοκιμάζω), 'try' -- to test metal by fire so as to prove its genuineness.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 3:13
What does 1 Corinthians 3:13 mean?
A coming day will expose and test every person's work by fire, showing what it truly was.