Greeting

1 Paul,^(A) called as an apostle^(B) of Christ Jesus by God’s will,^(C) and Sosthenes our brother:^(D)

² To the church of God at Corinth,^(E) to those sanctified^(F) in Christ Jesus, called^(G) as saints, with all those in every place who call on the name^(H) of Jesus Christ our Lord—both their Lord and ours.

³ Grace to you and peace from God our Father^(I) and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving

⁴ I always thank^(J) my God for you because of the grace of God given to you in Christ Jesus, ⁵ that you were enriched in him^(K) in every way, in all speech and all knowledge.^{(L) 6} In this way, the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you,^{(M) 7} so that you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait^(N) for the revelation^(O) of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁸ He will also strengthen you to the end,^(P) so that you will be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.^{(Q) 9} God is faithful;^(R) you were called by him^(S) into fellowship with his Son,^(T) Jesus Christ our Lord.

Divisions at Corinth

¹⁰ Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree in what you say, that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. ¹¹ For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers and sisters, by members of Chloe’s people, that there is rivalry^(U) among you. ¹² What I am saying is this: One of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,”^(V) or “I belong to Cephas,”^(W) or “I belong to Christ.”^{(X) 13} Is Christ divided?^(Y) Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in Paul’s name? ¹⁴ I thank God^[a][b] that I baptized none of you except Crispus^(Z) and Gaius,^{(AA) 15} so that no one can say you were baptized in my name. ¹⁶ I did, in fact, baptize the household^(AB) of Stephanas;^(AC) beyond that, I don’t recall if I baptized anyone else. ¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel—not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross^(AD) of Christ will not be emptied of its effect.

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

¹⁸ For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but it is the power of God to us who are being saved.^{(AE) 19} For it is written,

²⁰ Where is the one who is wise? Where is the teacher of the law?^[d] Where is the debater of this age?^(AG) Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? ²¹ For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of what is preached. ²² For the Jews ask for signs^(AH) and the Greeks seek wisdom, ²³ but we preach Christ crucified,^(AI) a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles.^{[e] 24} Yet to those who are called,^(AJ) both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God, ²⁵ because God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

Boasting Only in the Lord

²⁶ Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective,^[f] not many powerful,^(AK) not many of noble birth. ²⁷ Instead, God has chosen^(AL) what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. ²⁸ God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world^(AM)—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, ²⁹ so that no one^[g] may boast in his presence.^{(AN) 30} It is from him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God for us—our righteousness,^(AO) sanctification,^(AP) and redemption^(AQ)— ³¹ in order that, as it is written:^(AR) Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.^[h](AS)

Unity and Diversity in the Body of Christ

4 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord,^(A) urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, ² with all humility^(B) and gentleness, with patience,^(C) bearing^(D) with one another in love,^{(E) 3} making every effort to keep the unity^(F) of the Spirit^(G) through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit^(H)—just as you were called to one hope^[a](I) at your calling— ⁵ one Lord,^(J) one faith,^(K) one baptism, ⁶ one God^(L) and Father^(M) of all, who is above all and through all and in all.^(N)

⁷ Now grace was given to each one of us^(O) according to the measure of Christ’s gift. ⁸ For it says:

⁹ But what does “he ascended” mean except that he^[c] also descended to the lower parts of the earth?^{[d](R) 10} The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens,^(S) to fill all things.^{(T) 11} And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip the saints for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ,^{(U) 13} until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son,^(V) growing into maturity with a stature^(W) measured by Christ’s fullness. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching,^(X) by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit. ¹⁵ But speaking the truth in love, let us grow in every way into him who is the head^(Y)—Christ. ¹⁶ From him the whole body, fitted and knit together^(Z) by every supporting ligament, promotes the growth^(AA) of the body for building itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part.

Living the New Life

¹⁷ Therefore, I say this and testify in the Lord: You should no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thoughts. ¹⁸ They are darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them and because^[e] of the hardness of their hearts. ¹⁹ They became callous and gave themselves over to promiscuity for the practice of every kind of impurity^(AB) with a desire for more and more.^[f]

²⁰ But that is not how you came to know Christ, ²¹ assuming you heard about him and were taught by him, as the truth^(AC) is in Jesus, ²² to take off^[g](AD) your former way of life,^(AE) the old self^(AF) that is corrupted by deceitful desires, ²³ to be renewed^[h] in the spirit^(AG) of your minds, ²⁴ and to put on^[i](AH) the new self, the one created^(AI) according to God’s likeness^(AJ) in righteousness and purity of the truth.

²⁵ Therefore, putting away^(AK) lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor,^[j](AL) because we are members of one another. ²⁶ Be angry and do not sin.^[k](AM) Don’t let the sun go down on your anger, ²⁷ and don’t give the devil an opportunity. ²⁸ Let the thief no longer steal. Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands, so that he has something to share^(AN) with anyone in need. ²⁹ No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need,^[l] so that it gives grace to those who hear. ³⁰ And don’t grieve God’s Holy Spirit.^(AO) You were sealed by him^[m] for the day of redemption.^{(AP) 31} Let all bitterness, anger and wrath, shouting and slander be removed from you, along with all malice. ³² And be kind^(AQ) and compassionate^(AR) to one another, forgiving^(AS) one another, just as God also forgave you^[n] in Christ.

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you^(A) to present your bodies as a living sacrifice,^(B) holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship.^{[a] 2} Do not be conformed^(C) to this age,^(D) but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,^(E) so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will^(F) of God.

Many Gifts but One Body

³ For by the grace^(G) given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think.^(H) Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith^(I) to each one. ⁴ Now as we have many parts in one body,^(J) and all the parts do not have the same function, ⁵ in the same way we who are many^(K) are one body in Christ^(L) and individually members of one another. ⁶ According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts:^(M) If prophecy,^(N) use it according to the proportion of one’s^[b] faith; ⁷ if service,^(O) use it in service; if teaching,^(P) in teaching; ⁸ if exhorting,^(Q) in exhortation; giving, with generosity;^(R) leading,^(S) with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.^(T)

Christian Ethics

⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy.^(U) Detest evil;^(V) cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters.^(W) Take the lead in honoring one another.^{(X) 11} Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit;^[c](Y) serve the Lord.^{(Z) 12} Rejoice in hope;^(AA) be patient in affliction;^(AB) be persistent in prayer.^{(AC) 13} Share with the saints in their needs;^(AD) pursue hospitality.^{(AE) 14} Bless those who persecute you;^(AF) bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice;^(AG) weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Live in harmony with one another.^(AH) Do not be proud;^(AI) instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation.^{(AJ) 17} Do not repay anyone evil for evil.^(AK) Give careful thought to do what is honorable^(AL) in everyone’s eyes. ¹⁸ If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.^{(AM) 19} Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,^[d](AN) says the Lord. ²⁰ But

²¹ Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.