Paul is defending his ministry based on God's system of rewards for believers. The passage discusses different crowns that believers can receive as rewards for their works, including crowns that are imperishable, of exultation, of righteousness, and of glory. It provides characteristics of works that God will reward, such as being done by His grace, in wisdom, with care, based on the foundation of Jesus Christ, and of the right quality that can abide the testing by fire. Works done in faithfulness and with the right motives will also be rewarded, while works without these qualities will receive God's discipline or a loss of rewards.

1. I Corinthians 3:10-17

4. When rewards for believers are mentioned, they are often described as “crowns.”

6. CROWNS FOR BELIEVERS… Imperishable, I Cor. 9:25 Exultation, I Thess. 2:19 Righteousness, II Tim. 4:7-8 Life, James 1:12; Rev. 2:10 Glory, I Peter 5:4

8. POSITIVE REWARDS: God will reward those works which… 6. Abide the test by fire at the "Bema Seat" judgment of Christ, 3:13-14. 7. Are done in faithfulness, 4:2 8. Are done with the right motives, 4:5.

9. ZERO REWARDS, 3:15 NEGATIVE REWARDS = GOD'S DISCIPLINE, 3:16-17. LOSS OF REWARDS, II John 1:8; Rev 3:11

10. Rev 3:11 'I am coming quickly; hold fast what you have, so that no one will take your crown.