What are the Gold, Silver, and Precious Stones in 1 Cor 3:12?

[OBW]

I think that trying to give some kind of specific meaning to the separate items is to chase a squirrel from Paul's meaning. The verse is part of a passage talking about the teachers that the Corinthians were lining up behind. In this particular part, he was using a metaphor of building — the teachers were builders who were building the Corinthians as a church on the foundation of Christ. While not the same context, the reference to gold, etc., v wood, etc. is like his mention of wholesome teachings v myths and genealogies in 1 Timothy. I doubt he had any specific intent for each of the positives or the negatives. Just a clear reference that there are things that could be taught that would withstand fire while there were other things that would not.

If we really want to know what those things are, just look at some of the teachings you see today, both inside and outside the LRC. Some will stand untarnished against any test while others will waver and turn to ash. Isn't that enough? If you miss that message trying to give specific meaning to gold v silver v precious stones, then you missed the point. Same for wood, hay, and stubble.

There is no coded message in the details of the materials.