The present article offers a critical review of the consensus reading of 1 Corinthians 3.12–15. The author presents evidence that supports his claim about the theological problems of assuming that the building materials and the work in Corinthians 3.12–3.15 refer to the activity of the workers, which is in turn to be understood as their preaching. The author argues in favor of Adolf Schlatter’s alternative interpretation. Schlatter proposes that the building materials and the work are to be metaphorically understood as human beings. The author supports this claim, and then also points to four potential flaws than can be found in Schlatter’s reading.