Not All Christian Leaders Are the Same: A Call to Discernment from 1 Corinthians 3

Apostle Paul gives us a remarkably balanced framework for thinking about ministers and the divisions that often arise around them. In 1 Corinthians 3, he reminds the church that teachers are nothing in themselves. They plant, they water, but only God gives the growth. This destroys leader-worship. Teachers are instruments in God’s field, not the source of life, and the church has no grounds for boasting in men or choosing sides.

At the same time, Paul refuses to let this truth produce leader-blindness. Not all teachers are the same. Some build on a different foundation altogether—false teachers who reject the apostolic gospel. The church must be built only upon the foundation of Jesus Christ, as handed down through the apostles.

But Paul goes further. Even among those who do build on the right foundation, not all are wise builders. He writes:

“Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it…” (1 Cor 3:10–15)

Paul’s point is sobering: Two people can build on Christ, but one may build with gold while the other builds with straw. The difference is not in their sincerity but in the quality of their ministry—how closely their work aligns with the gospel, with Christ’s commands, with the Spirit’s wisdom, with the Father’s will.

Gold, silver, and precious stones represent ministry done according to the apostolic gospel: Christ-centred teaching, truth that builds up the church, genuine love, and faithful pastoral work.

Wood, hay, and straw represent a ministry built on human wisdom, pragmatism, personality, or cultural pressure—still on the right foundation, but fragile and temporary.

This means you can love Jesus and still build something that won’t last. You can serve the church, preach sermons, lead ministries, plant churches—and much of it may burn away on the Last Day if it was shaped more by human desire than by God’s Word.

Paul is not promoting division over leaders, but he is cultivating discernment. Not every leader builds well. God Himself will judge every work. Some ministers will be saved “but only as through fire,” with nothing to show for years of activity. Others will see their work refined and preserved, receiving a reward from Christ Himself.

Some choose the path of convenience—the ministry of wood and straw—which may look successful for a season. Others choose the harder path of faithfulness, building slowly and carefully with truth, patience, and love. They may receive little applause now, but on the Day of Christ, their work will shine with eternal reward.

Let us strive, then, to be wise builders—rejecting both the worship of leaders and the blindness to their work—so that on the Day of our Lord Jesus Christ, our labour will stand.

Nino Marques