Paul is called the master builder because he says he laid the church's one true foundation, Jesus Christ, by the grace of God.
Paul's own words in 1 Corinthians 3:10 describe him as 'a wise masterbuilder' who laid the foundation and others build on it. Les Feldick emphasizes Paul was not continuing an existing building; he came in at the beginning and laid a brand-new foundation, with Jesus Christ and His finished work as the foundation.
1 Corinthians 3:9-11 — This is the passage where Paul directly uses the master builder language and names the foundation as Jesus Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 3:9, Paul tells the Corinthians, 'For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.' Verse 10 continues, 'According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.' Verse 11 then gives the foundation itself: 'For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.' The apostle clearly sees himself as the one who laid that foundation and sees every believer as one who builds on it.
Les reads 1 Corinthians 3:9-11 and makes a simple contractor analogy. Just as a master builder, or general contractor, is involved from day one—laying the foundation and drawing up the plans—Paul says he has laid the foundation of God's building. The foundation is not Paul; it is Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. Anyone who builds on that foundation is a believer building with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble. Paul is also the one who gave the blueprints and instructions for how to build on that foundation in his epistles.
Paul describes himself as the contractor. He is not the foundation; he lays the foundation. The master builder enters at the very beginning, not halfway up the building. Paul says he laid the foundation and another builds on it. Every believer is called to take heed how they build.
According to the passage, 'other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.' Les explains Jesus and His finished work of the cross is the foundation of everything we believe and hope for. Paul did not lay a different foundation; he laid the foundation that is Jesus Christ.
Les makes the point that Paul doesn't come in as a master builder halfway up from the ground. Rather, Paul comes in and starts with a brand new foundation—Jesus Christ and Him crucified, buried, and risen again. This supports the idea that Paul's ministry is foundational and distinct.
Why Paul Called Himself the "Chief of Sinners" — 1 Timothy 1:15 Explained
me up, years and years ago. Mostly because a couple in one of my classes had almost been plaguing me with a particular question. And it was after I'd taught the early chapters of Acts, and he was a brilliant man. He was a highly educated individual, and he had an intellect far above average.
Paul as the Contractor
Les reads 1 Corinthians 3:9-11 and says Paul is the contractor, Jesus is the foundation, and believers are laborers who build on that foundation.
Master Builder and the Foundation
Les emphasizes the master builder is the contractor who must start by laying a good foundation, and the whole building depends on it.
Paul Laid the Foundation
Les applies the passage to Paul being the Master Builder who laid the foundation, with Christ as the foundation of everything we believe and hope for.
Starting a New Foundation
Les contrasts a master builder who starts a brand new foundation with one who continues half-finished work; Paul starts the church's foundation on Christ crucified, buried, and risen.
Paul's Claim Is Truthful
Les insists Paul either told the truth or was a liar when he claimed to be a wise masterbuilder who laid the foundation; the truth of Paul's writings stands on this claim.
Every Believer Builds
Les repeats the building analogy and says every believer must be careful how they build on Paul's foundation because Christ is the foundation of the Christian life.
Blueprints for Building
Les identifies Paul as the one who gave the instructions and blueprints for how believers are to build on the foundation, with some works lasting and some burning.
1 Corinthians 3:9: For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
This verse introduces the building analogy that leads directly into Paul's master builder statement.
1 Corinthians 3:10: According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
This is the exact verse where Paul calls himself a wise masterbuilder and says he laid the foundation.
1 Corinthians 3:11: For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
This names the foundation Paul laid as Jesus Christ and makes clear that no other foundation exists.
No. Paul calls himself a wise masterbuilder who laid a foundation, but he makes clear in 1 Corinthians 3:11 that the foundation itself is Jesus Christ. Les Feldick also emphasizes that Paul is not the foundation; Jesus is.
Yes. In 1 Corinthians 3:9 Paul writes, 'ye are God's building.' He then uses the building analogy to explain how the church is constructed on the foundation of Jesus Christ.
Les Feldick teaches from 1 Corinthians 3 that believers build on the foundation with materials such as gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, and stubble. The first three withstand fire and heat, while the last three go up in a puff of smoke.
Watch the Teaching: Why Paul Called Himself the "Chief of Sinners" — 1 Timothy 1:15 Explained