According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abides which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
The salvation of the teacher does not depend on the faithfulness of those he has introduced to Jesus. But, there is great joy and blessedness from knowing that those whom we have taught are still living holy lives. While salvation is not dependent on their faithfulness, his joy does depend on it.
Paul is the “master builder” that laid the foundation. The foundation was strong and sure but other teachers came along after him, some of whom were false and built on that foundation laid by Paul. Well, Paul is not responsible for the outcome of that builder. Nor is he held responsible to police their faith and coerce them to accept his teaching and example. He can only warn or encourage them to not abandon the truth.
Every man’s work will be tried, just as every man will be tried by the testing of one’s faith to see whether he or she will endure the trials and temptations throughout life. If those whom he taught are characterized by “gold, silver, and precious stones,” then, the fires of persecution and trials will only purify them, removing any dross or impurities. This is the proof of one’s faith. This is a great joy to their teachers. As Paul expresses it, “We live, if you stand fast in the Lord” (v. 8). He is saying that “we live in you.” This is experienced in every teacher, parent, and mentor. It’s a great reward for teachers to see the successes through the application of their teaching. This is even more rewarding for an apostle revealing matters of eternal consequences.
However, others are like “wood, hay, and stubble.” The man’s work that is burned is the man who taught those in like-character that will not endure the fires. The wood, hay, and stubble will be burned and be lost. The teacher will suffer loss because of the pain of their departure from the Lord. That is “his work.” But, while his work may be burned up, and he experiences a great loss, he himself shall be saved as long as he proves to be either gold, silver, or precious stones.
We may illustrate this by comparing a physician who cannot guarantee the success of his surgery. What if the doctor guaranteed that a patient would get well and never get sick again? We understand how impossible such a promise could be kept. Similarly, teachers can only teach and hope that those who accept it will remain true to it. But, he cannot guarantee it like some who claim that once saved, you can never live to warrant death and separation from God. We can neither guarantee their faithfulness nor control it. Therefore, our work shall be burned, but because we are not responsible, we shall be saved if tested and proved by fire.