For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1 CORINTHIANS 3:11KJV
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1 Corinthians 3:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 3:11 mean?

1 Corinthians 3:11 says that Jesus Christ is the only true foundation for faith and life, and no one can establish any other foundation that will last. The verse emphasizes that everything built in the Christian life must be based on Jesus Christ, not on any other person or teaching.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing divisions and arguments among believers about different leaders. He uses the image of a building to explain that while different people may help build up the church, the essential base—the foundation—must always be Jesus Christ. This verse sets the stage for Paul’s warning that what is built on this foundation will be tested for its quality.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 3:11

  • θεμέλιος (themelios) — "foundation": This word refers to the base or groundwork of a building. Paul uses it to stress that Jesus is not just a part of the structure but the essential starting point for everything in the Christian faith.
  • τίς (tis) — "man": The Greek here means "no one" or "nobody," making it clear that no human has the ability or authority to lay a different foundation than Jesus Christ.
  • κεῖται (keitai) — "is laid": This verb means something that has already been put in place and remains. Paul is saying the foundation of Jesus Christ is already established and unchangeable.

Why 1 Corinthians 3:11 matters

  • This verse corrects the idea that spiritual life or the church can be built on any other person, tradition, or philosophy besides Jesus Christ.
  • It highlights Paul’s main point in the surrounding passage: unity in the church comes from everyone building on the same foundation, not from following different leaders.
  • The verse prepares readers for Paul’s next teaching about the quality of what is built on this foundation, showing that while Jesus is the only true base, the way people build on it still matters.

Where else these words appear

“foundation” Greek G2310 · used in 15 verses

  • Luke 6:48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.
  • Romans 15:20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation:
  • 2 Timothy 2:19 Nevertheless 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.

“laid” Greek G2749 · used in 26 verses

  • Matthew 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
  • Luke 23:53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
  • John 20:12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain.

“lay” Greek G5087 · used in 94 verses

  • Matthew 5:15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
  • John 10:15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
  • Acts 13:29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

“other” Greek G243 · used in 141 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Mark 14:19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I?
  • Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.