Divisions in the Church

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.

For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Wisdom from the Spirit

Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.

for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.

Sexual Immorality Defiles the Church

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife.

For though absent in body, I am present in spirit; and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment on the one who did such a thing.

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers,

I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is good for them to remain single, as I am.

Paul Surrenders His Rights

Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?

If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.

For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part,

for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.

And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.