Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 3:13

13 Every mans work shall be made manifest : for the day shall declare it , because it shall be revealed by fire, and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is .

Now, saith he, there will come a time when every man's, that is, every Teacher's work or Doctrine, shall be made manifest. As the metal is brought to the touch-stone to be tryed, whether it be gold or silver, or some baser metal; so there will come a time, when all Doctrines shall be tryed and made manifest, whether they be of God or no.

What day shall declare it is not so steadily agreed by Interpreters. Some by a day here understand a long time, in process of time it shall be declared, as indeed erroneous Doctrines have not used to obtain or prevail long. Dagon falls before the Ark. Others understand it of a day of adversity and great affliction, the day of Gods vengeance; and indeed thus it is often seen, a false faith or a lye believed, will not carry a man through the difficulties which he meeteth with in an evil day: the Truths of the Gospel are of that nature, that they will give a Soul relief and support in a day of affliction, and under Gods severest dispensations, but errors and falshoods will not do it. Others understand by the day here mentioned the day of Judgment, which is indeed often called the day of the Lord, Chap. 1.8. and described by fire, Ioel 2.3. 2 Thess. 1.18. 2 Pet. 3.10. but this Text saith not, The day of the Lord, but only the day. It seemeth therefore rather to signifie the bright shining out of the Gospel: for the Text seemeth to speak of such a manifestation as shall be in this life, not in the day of Judgment. The same thing is also to be understood.

By the fire here mentioned, not the fire of Gods wrath, or the fire of affliction and adversity, nor the fire of the last Judgment, but the truth of the Gospel shining forth in the World, and burning up the dross and stubble of corrupt false Doctrine, that shall bring all the Doctrines which men teach, to the tryal.

Marginal references: Chap. 4.5.; 1 Pet. 1.7. & 4.12.; Gr. is revealed.