1 Corinthians 11-16

New International Version

11 ¹ Follow my example,^(A) as I follow the example of Christ.^(B)

On Covering the Head in Worship

² I praise you^(C) for remembering me in everything^(D) and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.^{(E) 3} But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ,^(F) and the head of the woman is man,^[a](G) and the head of Christ is God.^{(H) 4} Every man who prays or prophesies^(I) with his head covered dishonors his head. ⁵ But every woman who prays or prophesies^(J) with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.^{(K) 6} For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

⁷ A man ought not to cover his head,^[b] since he is the image^(L) and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. ⁸ For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;^{(M) 9} neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.^{(N) 10} It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own^[c] head, because of the angels. ¹¹ Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. ¹² For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.^(O)

¹³ Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? ¹⁴ Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, ¹⁵ but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. ¹⁶ If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.^(P)

Correcting an Abuse of the Lord’s Supper^(Q)

¹⁷ In the following directives I have no praise for you,^(R) for your meetings do more harm than good. ¹⁸ In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions^(S) among you, and to some extent I believe it. ¹⁹ No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.^{(T) 20} So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, ²¹ for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers.^(U) As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. ²² Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God^(V) by humiliating those who have nothing?^(W) What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you?^(X) Certainly not in this matter!

²³ For I received from the Lord^(Y) what I also passed on to you:^(Z) The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body,^(AA) which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁵ In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant^(AB) in my blood;^(AC) do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.^(AD)

²⁷ So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.^{(AE) 28} Everyone ought to examine themselves^(AF) before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. ²⁹ For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. ³⁰ That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.^{(AG) 31} But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.^{(AH) 32} Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined^(AI) so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.^(AJ)

³³ So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. ³⁴ Anyone who is hungry^(AK) should eat something at home,^(AL) so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come^(AM) I will give further directions.

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit,^(AN) brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.^{(AO) 2} You know that when you were pagans,^(AP) somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.^{(AQ) 3} Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,”^(AR) and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,”^(AS) except by the Holy Spirit.^(AT)

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit^(AU) distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone^(AV) it is the same God^(AW) at work.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.^{(AX) 8} To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,^(AY) to another a message of knowledge^(AZ) by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith^(BA) by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing^(BB) by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers,^(BC) to another prophecy,^(BD) to another distinguishing between spirits,^(BE) to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^[d](BF) and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^{[e] 11} All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,^(BG) and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body,^(BH) so it is with Christ.^{(BI) 13} For we were all baptized^(BJ) by^[f] one Spirit^(BK) so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free^(BL)—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.^{(BM) 14} Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.^(BN)

¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed^(BO) the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.^{(BP) 19} If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.^(BQ)

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ,^(BR) and each one of you is a part of it.^{(BS) 28} And God has placed in the church^(BT) first of all apostles,^(BU) second prophets,^(BV) third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,^(BW) of helping, of guidance,^(BX) and of different kinds of tongues.^{(BY) 29} Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues^[g]?^(BZ) Do all interpret? ³¹ Now eagerly desire^(CA) the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

13 If I speak in the tongues^[h](CB) of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy^(CC) and can fathom all mysteries^(CD) and all knowledge,^(CE) and if I have a faith^(CF) that can move mountains,^(CG) but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor^(CH) and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[i](CI) but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient,^(CJ) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.^{(CK) 5} It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,^(CL) it is not easily angered,^(CM) it keeps no record of wrongs.^{(CN) 6} Love does not delight in evil^(CO) but rejoices with the truth.^{(CP) 7} It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.^(CQ)

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,^(CR) they will cease; where there are tongues,^(CS) they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part^(CT) and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes,^(CU) what is in part disappears. ¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood^(CV) behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;^(CW) then we shall see face to face.^(CX) Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.^(CY)

¹³ And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.^(CZ) But the greatest of these is love.^(DA)

Intelligibility in Worship

14 Follow the way of love^(DB) and eagerly desire^(DC) gifts of the Spirit,^(DD) especially prophecy.^{(DE) 2} For anyone who speaks in a tongue^[j](DF) does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them;^(DG) they utter mysteries^(DH) by the Spirit. ³ But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,^(DI) encouraging^(DJ) and comfort. ⁴ Anyone who speaks in a tongue^(DK) edifies^(DL) themselves, but the one who prophesies^(DM) edifies the church. ⁵ I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,^[k] but I would rather have you prophesy.^(DN) The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,^[l] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.^(DO)

⁶ Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation^(DP) or knowledge^(DQ) or prophecy or word of instruction?^{(DR) 7} Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? ⁸ Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle?^{(DS) 9} So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. ¹⁰ Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. ¹¹ If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me.^{(DT) 12} So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit,^(DU) try to excel in those that build up^(DV) the church.

¹³ For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.^{(DW) 14} For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays,^(DX) but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵ So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit,^(DY) but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing^(DZ) with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. ¹⁶ Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,^[m] say “Amen”^(EA) to your thanksgiving,^(EB) since they do not know what you are saying? ¹⁷ You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.^(EC)

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. ¹⁹ But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.^(ED)

²⁰ Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children.^(EE) In regard to evil be infants,^(EF) but in your thinking be adults. ²¹ In the Law^(EG) it is written:

²² Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy,^(EI) however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. ²³ So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind?^{(EJ) 24} But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, ²⁵ as the secrets^(EK) of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”^(EL)

Good Order in Worship

²⁶ What then shall we say, brothers and sisters?^(EM) When you come together, each of you^(EN) has a hymn,^(EO) or a word of instruction,^(EP) a revelation, a tongue^(EQ) or an interpretation.^(ER) Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.^{(ES) 27} If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. ²⁸ If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

²⁹ Two or three prophets^(ET) should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.^{(EU) 30} And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. ³¹ For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. ³² The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.^{(EV) 33} For God is not a God of disorder^(EW) but of peace^(EX)—as in all the congregations^(EY) of the Lord’s people.^(EZ)

³⁴ Women^[o] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak,^(FA) but must be in submission,^(FB) as the law^(FC) says. ³⁵ If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.^[p]

³⁶ Or did the word of God^(FD) originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? ³⁷ If anyone thinks they are a prophet^(FE) or otherwise gifted by the Spirit,^(FF) let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.^{(FG) 38} But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.^[q]

³⁹ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager^(FH) to prophesy,^(FI) and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly^(FJ) way.

The Resurrection of Christ

15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel^(FK) I preached to you,^(FL) which you received and on which you have taken your stand. ² By this gospel you are saved,^(FM) if you hold firmly^(FN) to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

³ For what I received^(FO) I passed on to you^(FP) as of first importance^[r]: that Christ died for our sins^(FQ) according to the Scriptures,^{(FR) 4} that he was buried,^(FS) that he was raised^(FT) on the third day^(FU) according to the Scriptures,^{(FV) 5} and that he appeared to Cephas,^[s](FW) and then to the Twelve.^{(FX) 6} After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.^{(FY) 7} Then he appeared to James,^(FZ) then to all the apostles,^{(GA) 8} and last of all he appeared to me also,^(GB) as to one abnormally born.

⁹ For I am the least of the apostles^(GC) and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted^(GD) the church of God.^{(GE) 10} But by the grace^(GF) of God I am what I am, and his grace to me^(GG) was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them^(GH)—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.^{(GI) 11} Whether, then, it is I or they,^(GJ) this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

¹² But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead,^(GK) how can some of you say that there is no resurrection^(GL) of the dead?^{(GM) 13} If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised,^(GN) our preaching is useless and so is your faith. ¹⁵ More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead.^(GO) But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. ¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.^{(GP) 18} Then those also who have fallen asleep^(GQ) in Christ are lost. ¹⁹ If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.^(GR)

²⁰ But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead,^(GS) the firstfruits^(GT) of those who have fallen asleep.^{(GU) 21} For since death came through a man,^(GV) the resurrection of the dead^(GW) comes also through a man. ²² For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.^{(GX) 23} But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits;^(GY) then, when he comes,^(GZ) those who belong to him.^{(HA) 24} Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom^(HB) to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power.^{(HC) 25} For he must reign^(HD) until he has put all his enemies under his feet.^{(HE) 26} The last enemy to be destroyed is death.^{(HF) 27} For he “has put everything under his feet.”^[t](HG) Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ.^{(HH) 28} When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him,^(HI) so that God may be all in all.^(HJ)

²⁹ Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? ³⁰ And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour?^{(HK) 31} I face death every day^(HL)—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. ³² If I fought wild beasts^(HM) in Ephesus^(HN) with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,

³³ Do not be misled:^(HP) “Bad company corrupts good character.”^{[v](HQ) 34} Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God^(HR)—I say this to your shame.^(HS)

The Resurrection Body

³⁵ But someone will ask,^(HT) “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?”^{(HU) 36} How foolish!^(HV) What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.^{(HW) 37} When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. ³⁸ But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body.^{(HX) 39} Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. ⁴⁰ There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. ⁴¹ The sun has one kind of splendor,^(HY) the moon another and the stars another;^(HZ) and star differs from star in splendor.

⁴² So will it be^(IA) with the resurrection of the dead.^(IB) The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable;^{(IC) 43} it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory;^(ID) it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; ⁴⁴ it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.^(IE)

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”^[w];^(IF) the last Adam,^(IG) a life-giving spirit.^{(IH) 46} The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.^{(II) 47} The first man was of the dust of the earth;^(IJ) the second man is of heaven.^{(IK) 48} As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven.^{(IL) 49} And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man,^(IM) so shall we^[x] bear the image of the heavenly man.^(IN)

⁵⁰ I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood^(IO) cannot inherit the kingdom of God,^(IP) nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.^{(IQ) 51} Listen, I tell you a mystery:^(IR) We will not all sleep,^(IS) but we will all be changed^(IT)— ⁵² in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound,^(IU) the dead^(IV) will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. ⁵³ For the perishable^(IW) must clothe itself with the imperishable,^(IX) and the mortal with immortality. ⁵⁴ When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”^[y](IY)

⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin,^(JA) and the power of sin is the law.^{(JB) 57} But thanks be to God!^(JC) He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.^(JD)

⁵⁸ Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,^(JE) because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.^(JF)

The Collection for the Lord’s People

16 Now about the collection^(JG) for the Lord’s people:^(JH) Do what I told the Galatian^(JI) churches to do. ² On the first day of every week,^(JJ) each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made.^{(JK) 3} Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve^(JL) and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

Personal Requests

⁵ After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you^(JM)—for I will be going through Macedonia.^{(JN) 6} Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey,^(JO) wherever I go. ⁷ For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.^{(JP) 8} But I will stay on at Ephesus^(JQ) until Pentecost,^{(JR) 9} because a great door for effective work has opened to me,^(JS) and there are many who oppose me.

¹⁰ When Timothy^(JT) comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord,^(JU) just as I am. ¹¹ No one, then, should treat him with contempt.^(JV) Send him on his way^(JW) in peace^(JX) so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

¹² Now about our brother Apollos:^(JY) I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.

¹³ Be on your guard; stand firm^(JZ) in the faith; be courageous; be strong.^{(KA) 14} Do everything in love.^(KB)

¹⁵ You know that the household of Stephanas^(KC) were the first converts^(KD) in Achaia,^(KE) and they have devoted themselves to the service^(KF) of the Lord’s people.^(KG) I urge you, brothers and sisters, ¹⁶ to submit^(KH) to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. ¹⁷ I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.^{(KI) 18} For they refreshed^(KJ) my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.^(KK)

Final Greetings

¹⁹ The churches in the province of Asia^(KL) send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla^[aa](KM) greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house.^{(KN) 20} All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.^(KO)

²¹ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.^(KP)

²² If anyone does not love the Lord,^(KQ) let that person be cursed!^(KR) Come, Lord^[ab]!^(KS)

²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.^(KT)

²⁴ My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.^[ac]