Gold, Silver, Precious Stones VS Grass, Wood, Straw - Two Types of Christian Life and Service
1 Corinthians 3:11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,
1 Corinthians 3:13 their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person's work.
1 Corinthians 3:14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.
1 Corinthians 3:15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.
|
Material |
Gold |
Silver |
Precious Stones |
Grass |
Wood |
Straw |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Representation |
God's nature, glory |
Christ's redemption |
Holy Spirit's transformation |
Man's glory |
Man's nature |
Results of man's work |
|
Work |
God's work |
Work of the cross |
Holy Spirit's work |
Carnal man |
Man's natural talents |
Lifeless state |
|
Source & Origin |
Must be dug deep to obtain, comes from within, built up from within, contains God's work inside |
Grass, wood, and straw grow on the surface, easily obtained; whatever can be done by the flesh, that which comes from man himself, has no value |
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|
Analogy |
Like preaching or evangelizing, some need to wait before God, look up to Him, act only after receiving a burden from God, as if touching what comes from within; this is the work of gold, silver, and precious stones |
Some can speak readily due to quick minds, eloquence, good memory, so they can stand up and speak, work busily, but before God this is grass, wood, and straw, without spiritual value |
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|
Authenticity & Lifespan |
Real, eternal, can withstand testing |
False, superficial, temporary, cannot withstand testing |
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|
Weight, Volume, Test Value |
Heavy weight but small volume, can withstand fire and water, precious value |
Light weight but large volume, cannot withstand fire or water, low value |
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|
Nature & Quality |
Slow, meticulous, hidden work, requires faith, prayer, quietness, and reliance on the Holy Spirit, cannot act freely at will |
Relies on intuition, organization, social skills, methods, energy; those who seek great achievements become useless in small things, quick results are quickly destroyed, though seeking fame, reputation is soon ruined |
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|
Characteristics & Application |
Very hard materials, extracted from ores, ancient people often used these materials to build palaces |
Soft, fragile, easily damaged materials, in ancient times, common people used these materials to build houses |
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This table provides a comparison of different materials (gold, silver, precious stones, grass, wood, and straw) in terms of their symbolic meanings, characteristics, and applications, often with spiritual or metaphorical interpretations. It suggests that these materials symbolize different qualities or approaches to Christian living and ministry.
*Please refer to The Life-Study of First Corinthians
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