1 Corinthians 3:11
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Original Language Analysis
θεμέλιον
foundation
G2310
θεμέλιον
foundation
Strong's:
G2310
Word #:
1 of 14
something put down, i.e., a substruction (of a building, etc.), (literally or figuratively)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
οὐδεὶς
no man
G3762
οὐδεὶς
no man
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
4 of 14
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
θεῖναι
lay
G5087
θεῖναι
lay
Strong's:
G5087
Word #:
6 of 14
to place (in the widest application, literally and figuratively; properly, in a passive or horizontal posture, and thus different from g2476, which pr
παρὰ
than
G3844
παρὰ
than
Strong's:
G3844
Word #:
7 of 14
properly, near; i.e., (with genitive case) from beside (literally or figuratively), (with dative case) at (or in) the vicinity of (objectively or subj
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κείμενον
that is laid
G2749
κείμενον
that is laid
Strong's:
G2749
Word #:
9 of 14
to lie outstretched (literally or figuratively)
ὅς
which
G3739
ὅς
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
10 of 14
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
G2424
Ἰησοῦς
Jesus
Strong's:
G2424
Word #:
12 of 14
jesus (i.e., jehoshua), the name of our lord and two (three) other israelites
Cross References
Ephesians 2:20And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;Isaiah 28:16Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.Matthew 16:18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Historical Context
In the pluralistic Greco-Roman world, philosophical schools and mystery religions competed for adherents, each claiming unique access to divine truth. Against this backdrop, Paul's exclusivism is radical: Jesus Christ is THE foundation—singular, irreplaceable, sufficient. This contradicted Corinthian attempts to syncretize Christianity with Greek wisdom (1:22-23) or to elevate human teachers into foundational roles.
Questions for Reflection
- What aspects of your faith or your church's teaching risk replacing or supplementing Christ as the foundation—traditions, programs, personalities, political ideologies?
- How does the impossibility of any other foundation (not just prohibition, but ontological impossibility) comfort you in times of doubt or confusion?
- What practical difference does it make to build on Christ rather than on Christian principles, experiences, or community?
Analysis & Commentary
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ (θεμέλιον γὰρ ἄλλον οὐδεὶς δύναται θεῖναι παρὰ τὸν κείμενον, ὅς ἐστιν Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, themelion gar allon oudeis dynatai theinai para ton keimenon, hos estin Iēsous Christos)—this is the theological apex of the passage. Oudeis dynatai ('no one is able') asserts impossibility, not merely prohibition. No alternative foundation exists or can exist.
The perfect participle keimenon (κείμενον, 'having been laid') indicates permanent completion—Christ is the established, immovable foundation. Isaiah 28:16 prophesied: 'Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation.' Peter applies this to Christ (1 Peter 2:6); Paul echoes it here. Every other foundation—human philosophy, tradition, experience, or even religious law—is sinking sand (Matthew 7:24-27). Christ's person and work constitute the sole basis for the church's existence, the non-negotiable core upon which all else builds. To shift the foundation is to abandon Christianity itself.