1 Corinthians 3:12 (ESV)

12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw

In 1 Corinthians 3:10 Paul has warned his fellow builders in Corinth to take care how they build. Now he expands on this warning. Of the six building materials in the list, only the first three represent proper preaching and teaching. The last three materials represent a way of preaching and teaching that is inadequate and lacks eternal value.