1 Corinthians 3:15
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Original Language Analysis
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἔργον
work
G2041
ἔργον
work
Strong's:
G2041
Word #:
4 of 14
toil (as an effort or occupation); by implication, an act
κατακαήσεται
shall be burned
G2618
κατακαήσεται
shall be burned
Strong's:
G2618
Word #:
5 of 14
to burn down (to the ground), i.e., consume wholly
ζημιωθήσεται
he shall suffer loss
G2210
ζημιωθήσεται
he shall suffer loss
Strong's:
G2210
Word #:
6 of 14
to injure, i.e., (reflexively or passively) to experience detriment
αὐτὸς
he himself
G846
αὐτὸς
he himself
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
7 of 14
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
σωθήσεται
shall be saved
G4982
σωθήσεται
shall be saved
Strong's:
G4982
Word #:
9 of 14
to save, i.e., deliver or protect (literally or figuratively)
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
12 of 14
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
Cross References
2 John 1:8Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.Jude 1:23And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.Revelation 3:18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.1 Peter 4:18And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?
Historical Context
House fires in ancient cities were devastating and common. Residents might escape with nothing but their lives—no possessions, no rewards of labor, just survival. Paul's audience would viscerally understand this image: being saved 'through fire' meant losing everything but life itself. This earthly tragedy pictures eschatological loss of reward while maintaining salvation.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse comfort you about salvation's security while still warning against wasted service?
- What ministry or life investment might prove to be 'burned'—leaving you saved but suffering loss of reward?
- How can you avoid being saved 'as through fire'—with nothing to show for your Christian life except bare salvation?
Analysis & Commentary
If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire (οὕτως δὲ ὡς διὰ πυρός, houtōs de hōs dia pyros)—Paul envisions a believer whose work is entirely consumed yet who personally survives. Zēmiōthēsetai (ζημιωθήσεται, 'shall suffer loss') describes forfeited reward, not lost salvation. The emphatic autos de (αὐτὸς δὲ, 'but he himself') contrasts person and work: the work burns; the person is saved.
The phrase hōs dia pyros ('as through fire') is notoriously difficult. It doesn't mean purgatorial suffering but escaping catastrophe—like fleeing a burning building with only one's life. Amos 4:11 uses similar imagery: 'as a firebrand plucked out of the burning.' This verse refutes both universalism (not all are saved, only those built on Christ-foundation) and works-salvation (even failed service doesn't forfeit salvation resting on Christ). It pastorally warns that lazy or worldly ministry brings eschatological regret—loss of reward, not loss of soul—while maintaining the security of those truly founded on Christ.