1 Corinthians 8-14

New International Version

Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

8 Now about food sacrificed to idols:^(A) We know that “We all possess knowledge.”^(B) But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. ² Those who think they know something^(C) do not yet know as they ought to know.^{(D) 3} But whoever loves God is known by God.^[a](E)

⁴ So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols:^(F) We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world”^(G) and that “There is no God but one.”^{(H) 5} For even if there are so-called gods,^(I) whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), ⁶ yet for us there is but one God,^(J) the Father,^(K) from whom all things came^(L) and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord,^(M) Jesus Christ, through whom all things came^(N) and through whom we live.

⁷ But not everyone possesses this knowledge.^(O) Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak,^(P) it is defiled. ⁸ But food does not bring us near to God;^(Q) we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

⁹ Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block^(R) to the weak.^{(S) 10} For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?^{(T) 11} So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed^(U) by your knowledge. ¹² When you sin against them^(V) in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.^{(W) 13} Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.^(X)

Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

9 Am I not free?^(Y) Am I not an apostle?^(Z) Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?^(AA) Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?^{(AB) 2} Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal^(AC) of my apostleship in the Lord.

³ This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. ⁴ Don’t we have the right to food and drink?^{(AD) 5} Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife^(AE) along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers^(AF) and Cephas^[b]?^{(AG) 6} Or is it only I and Barnabas^(AH) who lack the right to not work for a living?

⁷ Who serves as a soldier^(AI) at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard^(AJ) and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? ⁸ Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? ⁹ For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”^[c](AK) Is it about oxen that God is concerned?^{(AL) 10} Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us,^(AM) because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.^{(AN) 11} If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?^{(AO) 12} If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

But we did not use this right.^(AP) On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder^(AQ) the gospel of Christ.

¹³ Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?^{(AR) 14} In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.^(AS)

¹⁵ But I have not used any of these rights.^(AT) And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.^{(AU) 16} For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.^(AV) Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! ¹⁷ If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;^(AW) if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.^{(AX) 18} What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,^(AY) and so not make full use of my rights^(AZ) as a preacher of the gospel.

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

¹⁹ Though I am free^(BA) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,^(BB) to win as many as possible.^{(BC) 20} To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.^(BD) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),^(BE) so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law^(BF) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),^(BG) so as to win those not having the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.^(BH) I have become all things to all people^(BI) so that by all possible means I might save some.^{(BJ) 23} I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The Need for Self-Discipline

²⁴ Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?^(BK) Run^(BL) in such a way as to get the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown^(BM) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.^{(BN) 26} Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;^(BO) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.^{(BP) 27} No, I strike a blow to my body^(BQ) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.^(BR)

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant^(BS) of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud^(BT) and that they all passed through the sea.^{(BU) 2} They were all baptized into^(BV) Moses in the cloud and in the sea. ³ They all ate the same spiritual food^{(BW) 4} and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock^(BX) that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. ⁵ Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.^(BY)

⁶ Now these things occurred as examples^(BZ) to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. ⁷ Do not be idolaters,^(CA) as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”^{[d](CB) 8} We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.^{(CC) 9} We should not test Christ,^[e](CD) as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.^{(CE) 10} And do not grumble, as some of them did^(CF)—and were killed^(CG) by the destroying angel.^(CH)

¹¹ These things happened to them as examples^(CI) and were written down as warnings for us,^(CJ) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.^{(CK) 12} So, if you think you are standing firm,^(CL) be careful that you don’t fall! ¹³ No temptation^[f] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;^(CM) he will not let you be tempted^[g] beyond what you can bear.^(CN) But when you are tempted,^[h] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper

¹⁴ Therefore, my dear friends,^(CO) flee from idolatry.^{(CP) 15} I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. ¹⁶ Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break^(CQ) a participation in the body of Christ?^{(CR) 17} Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body,^(CS) for we all share the one loaf.

¹⁸ Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices^(CT) participate in the altar? ¹⁹ Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?^{(CU) 20} No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,^(CV) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. ²¹ You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.^{(CW) 22} Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?^(CX) Are we stronger than he?^(CY)

The Believer’s Freedom

²³ “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.^(CZ) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. ²⁴ No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.^(DA)

²⁵ Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,^{(DB) 26} for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”^[i](DC)

²⁷ If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you^(DD) without raising questions of conscience. ²⁸ But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.^{(DE) 29} I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom^(DF) being judged by another’s conscience? ³⁰ If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?^(DG)

³¹ So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.^{(DH) 32} Do not cause anyone to stumble,^(DI) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God^(DJ)— ³³ even as I try to please everyone in every way.^(DK) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,^(DL) so that they may be saved.^(DM) 11 ¹ Follow my example,^(DN) as I follow the example of Christ.^(DO)

On Covering the Head in Worship

² I praise you^(DP) for remembering me in everything^(DQ) and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.^{(DR) 3} But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ,^(DS) and the head of the woman is man,^[j](DT) and the head of Christ is God.^{(DU) 4} Every man who prays or prophesies^(DV) with his head covered dishonors his head. ⁵ But every woman who prays or prophesies^(DW) with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.^{(DX) 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,^[k] since he is the image^(DY) and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. ⁸ For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;^{(DZ) 9} neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.^{(EA) 10} It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own^[l] 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.^(EB)

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.^(EC)

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

¹⁷ In the following directives I have no praise for you,^(EE) 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^(EF) 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.^{(EG) 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.^(EH) 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^(EI) by humiliating those who have nothing?^(EJ) What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you?^(EK) Certainly not in this matter!

²³ For I received from the Lord^(EL) what I also passed on to you:^(EM) 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,^(EN) 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^(EO) in my blood;^(EP) 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.^(EQ)

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.^{(ER) 28} Everyone ought to examine themselves^(ES) 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.^{(ET) 31} But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.^{(EU) 32} Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined^(EV) so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.^(EW)

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

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

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

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

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit^(FH) 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^(FI) it is the same God^(FJ) at work.

⁷ Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.^{(FK) 8} To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,^(FL) to another a message of knowledge^(FM) by means of the same Spirit, ⁹ to another faith^(FN) by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing^(FO) by that one Spirit, ¹⁰ to another miraculous powers,^(FP) to another prophecy,^(FQ) to another distinguishing between spirits,^(FR) to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,^[m](FS) and to still another the interpretation of tongues.^{[n] 11} All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,^(FT) 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,^(FU) so it is with Christ.^{(FV) 13} For we were all baptized^(FW) by^[o] one Spirit^(FX) so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free^(FY)—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.^{(FZ) 14} Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.^(GA)

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^(GB) the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.^{(GC) 19} If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.^(GD)

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,^(GE) and each one of you is a part of it.^{(GF) 28} And God has placed in the church^(GG) first of all apostles,^(GH) second prophets,^(GI) third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,^(GJ) of helping, of guidance,^(GK) and of different kinds of tongues.^{(GL) 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^[p]?^(GM) Do all interpret? ³¹ Now eagerly desire^(GN) the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

13 If I speak in the tongues^[q](GO) 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^(GP) and can fathom all mysteries^(GQ) and all knowledge,^(GR) and if I have a faith^(GS) that can move mountains,^(GT) but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor^(GU) and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,^[r](GV) but do not have love, I gain nothing.

⁴ Love is patient,^(GW) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.^{(GX) 5} It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking,^(GY) it is not easily angered,^(GZ) it keeps no record of wrongs.^{(HA) 6} Love does not delight in evil^(HB) but rejoices with the truth.^{(HC) 7} It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.^(HD)

⁸ Love never fails. But where there are prophecies,^(HE) they will cease; where there are tongues,^(HF) they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. ⁹ For we know in part^(HG) and we prophesy in part, ¹⁰ but when completeness comes,^(HH) 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^(HI) behind me. ¹² For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror;^(HJ) then we shall see face to face.^(HK) Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.^(HL)

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

Intelligibility in Worship

14 Follow the way of love^(HO) and eagerly desire^(HP) gifts of the Spirit,^(HQ) especially prophecy.^{(HR) 2} For anyone who speaks in a tongue^[s](HS) does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them;^(HT) they utter mysteries^(HU) by the Spirit. ³ But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening,^(HV) encouraging^(HW) and comfort. ⁴ Anyone who speaks in a tongue^(HX) edifies^(HY) themselves, but the one who prophesies^(HZ) edifies the church. ⁵ I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,^[t] but I would rather have you prophesy.^(IA) The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,^[u] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.^(IB)

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^(IC) or knowledge^(ID) or prophecy or word of instruction?^{(IE) 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?^{(IF) 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.^{(IG) 12} So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit,^(IH) try to excel in those that build up^(II) the church.

¹³ For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say.^{(IJ) 14} For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays,^(IK) but my mind is unfruitful. ¹⁵ So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit,^(IL) but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing^(IM) 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,^[v] say “Amen”^(IN) to your thanksgiving,^(IO) since they do not know what you are saying? ¹⁷ You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.^(IP)

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.^(IQ)

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

²² Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy,^(IV) 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?^{(IW) 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^(IX) of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”^(IY)

Good Order in Worship

²⁶ What then shall we say, brothers and sisters?^(IZ) When you come together, each of you^(JA) has a hymn,^(JB) or a word of instruction,^(JC) a revelation, a tongue^(JD) or an interpretation.^(JE) Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.^{(JF) 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^(JG) should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said.^{(JH) 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.^{(JI) 33} For God is not a God of disorder^(JJ) but of peace^(JK)—as in all the congregations^(JL) of the Lord’s people.^(JM)

³⁴ Women^[x] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak,^(JN) but must be in submission,^(JO) as the law^(JP) 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.^[y]

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

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