1 Corinthians 3:12

3:12 If anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw,

1 Corinthians 14:13

14:13 So then, one who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret.

1 Corinthians 14:39

14:39 So then, brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid anyone from speaking in tongues.

sn The various materials described here, both valuable (gold, silver, precious stones) and worthless (wood, hay, or straw) refer to the quality of work built on the foundation, or possibly to the motivation of those doing the building. The materials themselves have been understood (1) as deeds or (2) as people (since ultimately the passage is addressing those who minister to others).

tcμου (mou, “my”) is found after ἀδελφοί (adelfoi) in a number of significant witnesses (א A B* D1 048 326 1175 2464 al), but lacking in most other witnesses (Ì46 B2 D* F G Ψ 0243 33 1739 1881 Ï lat). Every other time Paul says “So then, brothers (and sisters)” he adds “my” (ὥστε, ἀδελφοί μου; {wste, adelfoi mou). There is no good reason why scribes would intentionally omit “my” here but not elsewhere. Thus, the longer reading is in conformity with Paul’s general style and as such seems to be scribally motivated. NA27 has the word in brackets, indicating doubt as to its authenticity.

tn Grk “speaking in tongues.” The words “anyone from” are supplied for the sake of clarity.