Who was Christ?

“Christ” is the English transliteration of the Greek word Χριστός (Christos), meaning “Anointed One,” which corresponds to the Hebrew מָשִׁיחַ (Mashiach), or “Messiah.” In the New Testament, Christ is the title and name given to Jesus of Nazareth, affirming Him as the long-awaited Savior promised throughout the Old Testament Scriptures. In 1 Corinthians 3, the apostle Paul uses the name “Christ” to clarify the foundation of the Christian faith and to address divisions in the Corinthian church. Paul teaches that Christ is the only true foundation of the church, and that human leaders must not take His place in the hearts of believers.

Christ in 1 Corinthians 3

In 1 Corinthians 3:11, Paul declares, “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” This verse stands at the center of Paul’s rebuke to the Corinthians, who had become divided by loyalty to human leaders like Paul and Apollos (1 Corinthians 3:4-5). Paul reminds them that Christ alone is the foundation of the Church, and that all other Christian labor must build upon Him. The work of church leaders and believers will one day be tested by fire (v.13), and only what is built on Christ will endure.

Biblical References and Cross-References

• 1 Corinthians 3:11 – Jesus Christ is the only true foundation. 
• 1 Corinthians 3:23 – “You are of Christ, and Christ is of God.” 
• Isaiah 28:16 – Prophecy of the precious cornerstone laid by God. 
• Matthew 16:16-18 – Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ; Jesus speaks of building His church. 
• Ephesians 2:20 – Christ is the chief cornerstone of God’s household. 
• Acts 4:11-12 – Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus Christ. 

These verses confirm that Christ is not merely a historical figure but the central Person in God’s redemptive plan, the one through whom all salvation and spiritual growth flow.

What Happened in the Bible?

In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul addresses the problem of division within the church in Corinth. Some believers were aligning themselves with particular teachers—Paul, Apollos, Cephas—rather than recognizing that all true ministers are servants under Christ’s supreme authority. Paul emphasizes that while he and Apollos had roles to play (planting and watering), it is God who gives the growth (v.6-7).

Paul then shifts to an illustration of a building, urging each man to be careful how he builds (v.10). Christ is the only foundation (v.11), and anything built apart from Him—whether ministry, doctrine, or personal life—will not survive God‘s judgment. Ultimately, our identity, growth, and future are bound up in Christ (v.21-23).

What It Means for Today’s Christians

For Christians today, this passage serves as a powerful reminder that:

• Jesus Christ is the center of the church—not pastors, personalities, or programs. 
• All ministry and service must be rooted in Christ to have eternal value. 
• Spiritual maturity is measured by our unity in Christ, not by our allegiance to human leaders. 
• Every believer is accountable for how they build on the foundation of Christ through their teaching, conduct, and contribution to the church. 

This passage calls believers back to Christ-centeredness—in doctrine, discipleship, and devotion.

How Christ Points to the Gospel

The title “Christ” highlights Jesus as the promised Anointed One—the King, Priest, and Prophet foretold in Scripture. In His death and resurrection, Jesus accomplished the salvation of sinners, fulfilling the role of Messiah and laying down the foundation of eternal life. 1 Corinthians 3 portrays Jesus not just as a teacher or prophet but as the indispensable cornerstone of salvation and spiritual life.

The gospel is clear: without Christ, there is no church, no salvation, and no future. But for those who build their lives on Him, there is everlasting reward.

Broader Biblical Themes

Christ as the Cornerstone

• Prophesied in Isaiah 28:16 and fulfilled in 1 Peter 2:6, Christ is the stone chosen and precious to God. 

Unity in Christ

• Paul’s correction in 1 Corinthians aligns with John 17:21, where Jesus prayed for the unity of all believers. 

Judgment of Works

• The testing of each person’s work by fire (1 Corinthians 3:13-15) mirrors themes found in Romans 14:10 and 2 Corinthians 5:10, where believers will give an account before Christ. 

Servanthood and Humility

• Ministry in Christ’s name is not about self-promotion but humble service. As Jesus taught in Mark 10:43-45, greatness in the kingdom is measured by servanthood. 

Reflection Questions

1. Is my life and ministry truly built on the foundation of Jesus Christ, or on something else? 
2. In what ways do I fall into the trap of exalting human leaders over Christ? 
3. How do I contribute to the unity or division within the body of Christ? 
4. What kind of “building materials” am I using in my walk with Christ—temporary or eternal? 
5. Am I living with the awareness that Christ will test the quality of my work? 

Christ is not only the beginning of the Christian life but its center and goal. All that we are and do must be rooted in Him, for He alone is the solid foundation that will stand forever.