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1 Corinthians 9-12
Holman Christian Standard Bible

Paul’s Example as an Apostle

9 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the seal(A) of my apostleship in the Lord. 3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 Don’t we have the right to eat and drink?(B) 5 Don’t we have the right to be accompanied by a Christian wife[a] like the other apostles,(C) the Lord’s brothers, and Cephas?(D) 6 Or do Barnabas(E) and I alone have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who ever goes to war at his own expense?(F) Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not drink the milk from the flock? 8 Am I saying this from a human perspective? Doesn’t the law also say the same thing? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, Do not muzzle an ox(G) while it treads out grain.(H)[b] Is God really concerned with oxen? 10 Or isn’t He really saying it for us? Yes, this is written for us,(I) because he who plows ought to plow in hope,(J) and he who threshes should do so in hope of sharing the crop.(K) 11 If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you? 12 If others have this right to receive benefits from you, don’t we even more?

However, we have not made use of this right; instead we endure everything(L) so that we will not hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Don’t you know that those who perform the temple services eat the food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar(M) share in the offerings of the altar? 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should earn their living by the gospel.(N)

15 But I have used none of these rights, and I have not written this to make it happen that way for me. For it would be better for me to die than for anyone to deprive me of my boast! 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because an obligation is placed on me. And woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, I have a reward, but if unwillingly, I am entrusted(O) with a stewardship. 18 What then is my reward? To preach the gospel and offer it free of charge and not make full use of my authority in the gospel.(P)

19 Although I am a free man and not anyone’s slave, I have made myself a slave to everyone, in order to win(Q) more people. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win Jews; to those under the law, like one under the law—though I myself am not under the law[c]—to win those under the law.(R) 21 To those who are without that law,(S) like one without the law—not being without God’s law but within Christ’s law—to win those without the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, in order to win the weak. I have become all things to all people, so that I may by every possible means save some.(T) 23 Now I do all this because of the gospel, so I may become a partner in its benefits.[d]

24 Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race,(U) but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize.(V) 25 Now everyone who competes exercises self-control(W) in everything. However, they do it to receive a crown(X) that will fade away,(Y) but we a crown that will never fade away. 26 Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. 27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.(Z)

Warnings from Israel’s Past

10 Now I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers(AA) were all under the cloud,(AB) all passed through the sea,(AC) 2 and all were baptized(AD) into Moses(AE) in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food,(AF) 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from a spiritual rock(AG) that followed them, and that rock was Christ.(AH) 5 But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were struck down in the wilderness.(AI)

6 Now these things became examples for us, so that we will not desire(AJ) evil things as they did.[e](AK) 7 Don’t become idolaters(AL) as some of them were; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play.[f](AM)[g] 8 Let us not commit sexual immorality(AN) as some of them did,[h] and in a single day 23,000 people fell dead.(AO) 9 Let us not test Christ as some of them did[i] and were destroyed by snakes.(AP) 10 Nor should we complain(AQ) as some of them did,[j](AR) and were killed by the destroyer.[k](AS) 11 Now these things happened to them as examples, and they were written as a warning to us,(AT) on whom the ends of the ages(AU) have come.(AV) 12 So, whoever thinks he stands must be careful not to fall.(AW) 13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to humanity. God is faithful,(AX) and He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape(AY) so that you are able to bear it.

Warning against Idolatry

14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. 15 I am speaking as to wise people. Judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup(AZ) of blessing(BA) that we give thanks for, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread(BB) that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one(BC) body, for all of us share that one bread. 18 Look at the people of Israel.[l] Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in what is offered on the altar?(BD) 19 What am I saying then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, but I do say that what they[m] sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God. I do not want you to participate with demons! 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot share in the Lord’s table and the table of demons. 22 Or are we provoking the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than He?(BE)

Christian Liberty

23 “Everything is permissible,”[n][o] but not everything is helpful. “Everything is permissible,”[p] but not everything builds up. 24 No one should seek his own good, but the good of the other person.(BF)

25 Eat everything that is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake, 26 for the earth is the Lord’s,(BG) and all that is in it.(BH)[q] 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you over and you want to go, eat everything that is set before you, without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This is food offered to an idol,” do not eat it,(BI) out of consideration for the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake.[r] 29 I do not mean your own conscience, but the other person’s. For why is my freedom judged(BJ) by another person’s conscience? 30 If I partake with thanks,(BK) why am I slandered because of something I give thanks for?

31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for God’s glory.(BL) 32 Give no offense(BM) to the Jews or the Greeks or the church of God, 33 just as I also try to please all people in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many,(BN) so that they may be saved. 11 1 Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.(BO)

Instructions about Head Coverings

2 Now I praise you[s] because you always remember me and keep the traditions(BP) just as I delivered(BQ) them to you. 3 But I want you to know that Christ is the head(BR) of every man, and the man is the head of the woman,[t](BS) and God is the head of Christ.(BT) 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with something on his head dishonors(BU) his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since that is one and the same as having her head shaved.(BV) 6 So if a woman’s head[u] is not covered, her hair should be cut off. But if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, she should be covered.

7 A man, in fact, should not cover his head, because he is God’s image(BW) and glory,(BX) but woman is man’s glory. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman came from man.(BY) 9 And man was not created for woman, but woman for man. 10 This is why a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, and man is not independent of woman. 12 For just as woman came from man, so man comes through woman, and all things come from God.(BZ)

13 Judge(CA) for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach(CB) you that if a man has long hair it is a disgrace(CC) to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory?(CD) For her hair is given to her[v] as a covering. 16 But if anyone wants to argue about this, we have no other[w] custom, nor do the churches of God.

The Lord’s Supper

17 Now in giving the following instruction I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For to begin with, I hear that when you come together as a church there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 There must, indeed, be factions(CE) among you, so that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore, when you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s Supper.(CF) 21 For at the meal, each one eats his own supper ahead of others. So one person is hungry while another gets drunk! 22 Don’t you have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you look down on the church of God and embarrass those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? I do not praise you for this!

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you:(CG) On the night when He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread, 24 gave thanks, broke it, and said,[x] “This is My body, which is[y] for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.”(CH)

25 In the same way, after supper He also took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant(CI) established by My blood.(CJ) Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death(CK) until He comes.(CL)

Self-Examination

27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy way will be guilty of sin against the body[z] and blood of the Lord. 28 So a man should examine himself; in this way he should eat the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For whoever eats and drinks without recognizing the body,[aa] eats and drinks judgment(CM) on himself. 30 This is why many are sick and ill among you, and many have fallen asleep.(CN) 31 If we were properly evaluating ourselves, we would not be judged, 32 but when we are judged,(CO) we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned(CP) with the world.

33 Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that when you gather together you will not come under judgment. And I will give instructions about the other matters whenever I come.(CQ)

Diversity of Spiritual Gifts

12 Now concerning what comes from the Spirit:[ab] brothers, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you used to be led off to the idols(CR) that could not speak.(CS) 3 Therefore I am informing you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are different gifts,(CT) but the same Spirit. 5 There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different activities, but the same God activates each gift in each person.[ac] 7 A demonstration of the Spirit is given to each person(CU) to produce what is beneficial:

8 to one(CV) is given a message of wisdom(CW)
through the Spirit,
to another, a message of knowledge
by the same Spirit,
9 to another, faith by the same Spirit,
to another, gifts of healing(CX) by the one Spirit,
10 to another, the performing of miracles,(CY)
to another, prophecy,(CZ)
to another, distinguishing between spirits,(DA)
to another, different kinds of languages,
to another, interpretation of languages.

11 But one and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as He wills.

Unity Yet Diversity in the Body

12 For as the body is one(DB) and has many parts, and all the parts of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.(DC) 13 For we were all baptized by[ad] one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.(DD) 14 So the body is not one part but many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I’m not a hand, I don’t belong to the body,” in spite of this it still belongs to the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I’m not an eye, I don’t belong to the body,” in spite of this it still belongs to the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed each one of the parts in one body just as He wanted.(DE) 19 And if they were all the same part, where would the body be? 20 Now there are many parts, yet one body.

21 So the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” Or again, the head can’t say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 But even more, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those parts of the body that we think to be less honorable,(DF) we clothe these with greater honor, and our unpresentable parts have a better presentation. 24 But our presentable parts have no need of clothing. Instead, God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the less honorable, 25 so that there would be no division(DG) in the body, but that the members would have the same concern for each other. 26 So if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ,(DH) and individual members of it. 28 And God has placed these in the church:(DI)

first apostles, second prophets,
third teachers,(DJ) next miracles,(DK)
then gifts of healing,(DL) helping,
managing, various kinds of languages.
29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets?
Are all teachers? Do all do miracles?
30 Do all have gifts of healing?
Do all speak in other languages?
Do all interpret?(DM)

31 But desire(DN) the greater gifts. And I will show you an even better way.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:5 Lit a sister as a wife
  2. 1 Corinthians 9:9 Dt 25:4
  3. 1 Corinthians 9:20 Other mss omit though I myself am not under law
  4. 1 Corinthians 9:23 Lit partner of it
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:6 Lit they desired
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Or to dance
  7. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Ex 32:6
  8. 1 Corinthians 10:8 Lit them committed sexual immorality
  9. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Lit them tested
  10. 1 Corinthians 10:10 Lit them complained
  11. 1 Corinthians 10:10 Or the destroying angel
  12. 1 Corinthians 10:18 Lit Look at Israel according to the flesh
  13. 1 Corinthians 10:20 Other mss read Gentiles
  14. 1 Corinthians 10:23 Other mss add for me
  15. 1 Corinthians 10:23 See note at 1Co 6:12-13.
  16. 1 Corinthians 10:23 Other mss add for me
  17. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Ps 24:1
  18. 1 Corinthians 10:28 Other mss add “For the earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it.”
  19. 1 Corinthians 11:2 Other mss add brothers,
  20. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Or the husband is the head of the wife
  21. 1 Corinthians 11:6 Lit a woman
  22. 1 Corinthians 11:15 Other mss omit to her
  23. 1 Corinthians 11:16 Or no such
  24. 1 Corinthians 11:24 Other mss add “Take, eat.
  25. 1 Corinthians 11:24 Other mss add broken
  26. 1 Corinthians 11:27 Lit be guilty of the body
  27. 1 Corinthians 11:29 Other mss read drinks unworthily, not discerning the Lord’s body
  28. 1 Corinthians 12:1 Or concerning spiritual things, or spiritual gifts
  29. 1 Corinthians 12:6 Lit God acts all things in all
  30. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or with, or in
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1 Corinthians 9-12
New International Version

Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

9 Am I not free?(A) Am I not an apostle?(B) Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?(C) Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?(D) 2 Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal(E) 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?(F) 5 Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife(G) along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers(H) and Cephas[a]?(I) 6 Or is it only I and Barnabas(J) who lack the right to not work for a living?

7 Who serves as a soldier(K) at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard(L) 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.”[b](M) Is it about oxen that God is concerned?(N) 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us,(O) because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.(P) 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?(Q) 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.(R) On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder(S) 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?(T) 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.(U)

15 But I have not used any of these rights.(V) 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.(W) 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.(X) Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;(Y) if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.(Z) 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,(AA) and so not make full use of my rights(AB) as a preacher of the gospel.

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

19 Though I am free(AC) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,(AD) to win as many as possible.(AE) 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.(AF) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),(AG) so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(AH) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),(AI) so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.(AJ) I have become all things to all people(AK) so that by all possible means I might save some.(AL) 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?(AM) Run(AN) 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(AO) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.(AP) 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;(AQ) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.(AR) 27 No, I strike a blow to my body(AS) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.(AT)

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant(AU) of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud(AV) and that they all passed through the sea.(AW) 2 They were all baptized into(AX) Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food(AY) 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock(AZ) 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.(BA)

6 Now these things occurred as examples(BB) to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters,(BC) as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[c](BD) 8 We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.(BE) 9 We should not test Christ,[d](BF) as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.(BG) 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did(BH)—and were killed(BI) by the destroying angel.(BJ)

11 These things happened to them as examples(BK) and were written down as warnings for us,(BL) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.(BM) 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,(BN) be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[e] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;(BO) he will not let you be tempted[f] beyond what you can bear.(BP) But when you are tempted,[g] 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,(BQ) flee from idolatry.(BR) 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(BS) a participation in the body of Christ?(BT) 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body,(BU) for we all share the one loaf.

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices(BV) participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?(BW) 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,(BX) 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.(BY) 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?(BZ) Are we stronger than he?(CA)

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(CB) “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.(CC)

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,(CD) 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[h](CE)

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you(CF) 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.(CG) 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom(CH) 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?(CI)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(CJ) 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,(CK) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God(CL)— 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way.(CM) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,(CN) so that they may be saved.(CO) 11 1 Follow my example,(CP) as I follow the example of Christ.(CQ)

On Covering the Head in Worship

2 I praise you(CR) for remembering me in everything(CS) and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.(CT) 3 But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ,(CU) and the head of the woman is man,[i](CV) and the head of Christ is God.(CW) 4 Every man who prays or prophesies(CX) with his head covered dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies(CY) with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.(CZ) 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,[j] since he is the image(DA) and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;(DB) 9 neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.(DC) 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own[k] 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.(DD)

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.(DE)

Correcting an Abuse of the Lord’s Supper(DF)

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you,(DG) 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(DH) 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.(DI) 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.(DJ) 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(DK) by humiliating those who have nothing?(DL) What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you?(DM) Certainly not in this matter!

23 For I received from the Lord(DN) what I also passed on to you:(DO) 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,(DP) 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(DQ) in my blood;(DR) 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.(DS)

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.(DT) 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves(DU) 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.(DV) 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.(DW) 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined(DX) so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.(DY)

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

And when I come(EB) I will give further directions.

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit,(EC) brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.(ED) 2 You know that when you were pagans,(EE) somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.(EF) 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,”(EG) and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,”(EH) except by the Holy Spirit.(EI)

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit(EJ) 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(EK) it is the same God(EL) at work.

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.(EM) 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,(EN) to another a message of knowledge(EO) by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith(EP) by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing(EQ) by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers,(ER) to another prophecy,(ES) to another distinguishing between spirits,(ET) to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[l](EU) and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[m] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,(EV) 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,(EW) so it is with Christ.(EX) 13 For we were all baptized(EY) by[n] one Spirit(EZ) so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free(FA)—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.(FB) 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.(FC)

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(FD) the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.(FE) 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.(FF)

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,(FG) and each one of you is a part of it.(FH) 28 And God has placed in the church(FI) first of all apostles,(FJ) second prophets,(FK) third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,(FL) of helping, of guidance,(FM) and of different kinds of tongues.(FN) 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[o]?(FO) Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire(FP) the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:5 That is, Peter
  2. 1 Corinthians 9:9 Deut. 25:4
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Exodus 32:6
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts test the Lord
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  7. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  8. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1
  9. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Or of the wife is her husband
  10. 1 Corinthians 11:7 Or 4 Every man who prays or prophesies with long hair dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with no covering of hair dishonors her head—she is just like one of the “shorn women.” 6 If a woman has no covering, let her be for now with short hair; but since it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair shorn or shaved, she should grow it again. 7 A man ought not to have long hair
  11. 1 Corinthians 11:10 Or have a sign of authority on her
  12. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
  13. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
  14. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or with; or in
  15. 1 Corinthians 12:30 Or other languages
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1 Corinthians 8
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