1 Corinthians 3:11

is a parenthetical comment on θεμέλιον : As to the foundation, that is settled; the workman has to build upon it, not to shift it, nor add to it. θεμέλιον γὰρ ἄλλον οὐδεὶς δύναται θεῖναι παρὰ κ. τ. λ.: “For another foundation none can lay, beside (other than παρά, possibly suggesting also in competition with; or contrary to) that which is laid down, which is JESUS CHRIST;” other builders there are beside the architect, but no other ground for them to build upon. κεῖμαι serves as pf. pass, to τίθημι (Philippians 1:16, etc.), connoting fixity of situation (positum est), and so of destination, as in Luke 2:34. The work of the Apostolic founders is done, once and for ever; so long as the Church lasts, men will build on what they laid down. θεμέλιον, here masc. (read as adj [542], sc. λίθον), as in 2 Timothy 2:19; Hebrews 11:10; Revelation 21:14; Revelation 21:19, and sometimes in LXX; neut. in Acts 16:26, as in the κοινή, and commonly in LXX. ὅς ἐστιν continuative, rather than definitive (as in 1 Corinthians 3:5): “There is but one foundation, and it is Jesus Christ”; cf. 1 Corinthians 2:2; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, etc. Ἰησοῦς Χριστός, (not Χ. Ἰ., nor ὁ Χ.), the actual historical person, not any doctrine or argument about Him “Jesus” revealed and known as “Christ”: see Acts 2:22; Acts 2:36; Acts 17:3, etc., for the formation of the name; and for this, with Paul the rarer, order, cf. 1 Corinthians 2:2; Romans 5:15; Romans 16:25, etc., also Hebrews 13:8; in each instance Jesus Christ connotes the recognised facts as to His life, death, etc. (cf. note on 1 Corinthians 1:2).

[542] adjective.