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1 Corinthians 1-16
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

Salutation

1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sos′thenes,

2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints[a] together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I give thanks to God[b] always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him with all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ; 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Divisions in the Church

10 I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. 11 For it has been reported to me by Chlo′e’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren. 12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apol′los,” or “I belong to Cephas,”[c] or “I belong to Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I am thankful[d] that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Ga′ius; 15 lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name. 16 (I did baptize also the household of Steph′anas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.) 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written,

“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart.”

20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. 22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth; 27 but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. 30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; 31 therefore, as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord.”

Proclaiming Christ Crucified

2 When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony[e] of God in lofty words or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.[f] 3 And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling; 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

The True Wisdom of God

6 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. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written,

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard,
nor the heart of man conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him,”

10 God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For what person knows a man’s thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit.[g]

14 The unspiritual[h] man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

On Divisions in the Corinthian Church

3 But I, brethren, could not address you as spiritual men, but as men of the flesh, as babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not ready for it; and even yet you are not ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving like ordinary men? 4 For when one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apol′los,” are you not merely men?

5 What then is Apol′los? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 6 I planted, Apol′los watered, but God gave the growth. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are equal, and each shall receive his wages according to his labor. 9 For we are God’s fellow workers;[i] you are God’s field, God’s building.

10 According to the commission of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it. 11 For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble— 13 each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day[j] will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. 14 If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple[k] and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 17 If any one destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and that temple you are.

18 Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.” 21 So let no one boast of men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apol′los or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours; 23 and you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

The Ministry of the Apostles

4 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself. 4 I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation from God.

6 I have applied all this to myself and Apol′los for your benefit, brethren, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another. 7 For who sees anything different in you? What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?

8 Already you are filled! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you! 9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. 11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things.

Fatherly Admonition

14 I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. 16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 17 Therefore I sent[l] to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church. 18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power. 21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

Sexual Immorality Defiles the Church

5 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife.[m] 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

3 For though absent in body I am present in spirit, and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment 4 in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan[n] for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.[o]

6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Sexual Immorality Must Be Judged

9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with immoral men;[p] 10 not at all meaning the immoral[q] of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. 11 But rather I wrote[r] to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality[s] or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber—not even to eat with such a one. 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge? 13 God judges those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.”

Lawsuits among Believers

6 When one of you has a grievance against a brother, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous[t] instead of the saints? 2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, matters pertaining to this life! 4 If then you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who are least esteemed by the church? 5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no man among you wise enough to decide between members of the brotherhood, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?

7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded? 8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud, and that even your own brethren.

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral,[u] nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals,[v][w] 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Glorify God in Body and Spirit

12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,”[x] but I will not be enslaved by anything. 13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality,[y] but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two shall become one.”[z] 17 But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. 18 Shun immorality.[aa] Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body. 19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Directions concerning Marriage

7 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote. It is well for a man not to touch a woman. 2 But because of the temptation to immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.[ab] 3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not rule over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not rule over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not refuse one another except perhaps by agreement for a season, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, lest Satan tempt you through lack of self-control. 6 I say this by way of concession, not of command. 7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own special gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain single as I do. 9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.

10 To the married I give charge, not I but the Lord, that the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband)—and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

12 To the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy. 15 But if the unbelieving partner desires to separate, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. For God has called us[ac] to peace. 16 Wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife?

The Life That the Lord Has Assigned

17 Only, let every one lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him, and in which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. 18 Was any one at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was any one at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. 19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. 20 Every one should remain in the state in which he was called. 21 Were you a slave when called? Never mind. But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.[ad] 22 For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ. 23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 So, brethren, in whatever state each was called, there let him remain with God.

The Unmarried and the Widows

25 Now concerning the unmarried,[ae] I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think that in view of the impending[af] distress it is well for a person to remain as he is. 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek marriage. 28 But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a girl[ag] marries she does not sin. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that. 29 I mean, brethren, the appointed time has grown very short; from now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the form of this world is passing away.

32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; 33 but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl[ah] is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband. 35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

36 If any one thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed,[ai] if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. 37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed,[aj] he will do well. 38 So that he who marries his betrothed[ak] does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better.

39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. 40 But in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I have the Spirit of God.

Food Offered to Idols

8 Now concerning food offered to idols:[al] we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” “Knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If any one imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if one loves God, one is known by him.

4 Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.” 5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”— 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through being hitherto accustomed to idols, eat food as really offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. 9 Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. 10 For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? 11 And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother’s falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

The Rights of an Apostle

9 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord? 2 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.

3 This is my defense to those who would examine me.[am] 4 Do we not have the right to our food and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife,[an][ao] as the other apostles and the brethren[ap] of the Lord and Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?

8 Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned? 10 Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. 11 If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? 12 If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more?

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? 14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have any one deprive me of my ground for boasting. 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission. 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in my preaching I may make the gospel free of charge, not making full use of my right in the gospel.

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews; to those under the law I became as one under the law—though not being myself under the law—that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law—not being without law toward God but under the law of Christ—that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; 27 but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Warnings from Israel’s History

10 I want you to know, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same supernatural[aq] food 4 and all drank the same supernatural[ar] drink. For they drank from the supernatural[as] Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless with most of them God was not pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things are warnings for us, not to desire evil as they did. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to dance.” 8 We must not indulge in immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. 9 We must not put the Lord[at] to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come. 12 Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

14 Therefore, my beloved, shun the worship of idols. 15 I speak as to sensible men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation[au] in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation[av] in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the practice of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.[aw] 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

Do All to the Glory of God

23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up. 24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience. 28 (But if some one says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then out of consideration for the man who informed you, and for conscience’ sake— 29 I mean his conscience, not yours—do not eat it.) For why should my liberty be determined by another man’s scruples? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. 11 1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Head Coverings

2 I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 4 Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head—it is the same as if her head were shaven. 6 For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her wear a veil. 7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 (For man was not made from woman, but woman from man. 9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.) 10 That is why a woman ought to have a veil[ax] on her head, because of the angels. 11 (Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.) 13 Judge for yourselves; is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is degrading to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her pride? For her hair is given to her for a covering. 16 If any one is disposed to be contentious, we recognize no other practice, nor do the churches of God.

Abuses at the Lord’s Supper

17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you meet together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.[ay] 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal, and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.

The Institution of the Lord’s Supper

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for[az] you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. 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 until he comes.

Partaking of the Supper Unworthily

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.[ba] 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we should not be judged. 32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are chastened[bb] so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

33 So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another— 34 if any one is hungry, let him eat at home—lest you come together to be condemned. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

Spiritual Gifts

12 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be uninformed.[bc] 2 You know that when you were heathen, you were led astray to dumb idols, however you may have been moved. 3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

One Body with Many Members

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 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. 16 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. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the organs in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single organ, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. 21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those parts of the body which we think less honorable we invest with the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so adjusted the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior part, 25 that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way.[bd]

The Gift of Love

13 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned,[be] but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; 5 it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; 10 but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood. 13 So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

14 Make love your aim, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit. 3 On the other hand, he who prophesies speaks to men for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless some one interprets, so that the church may be edified.

6 Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how shall I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching? 7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will any one know what is played? 8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle? 9 So with yourselves; if you in a tongue utter speech that is not intelligible, how will any one know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning; 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me. 12 So with yourselves; since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

13 Therefore, he who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful. 15 What am I to do? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also. 16 Otherwise, if you bless[bf] with the spirit, how can any one in the position of an outsider[bg] say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying? 17 For you may give thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; be babes in evil, but in thinking be mature. 21 In the law it is written, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.” 22 Thus, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 If, therefore, the whole church assembles and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

Orderly Worship

26 What then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification. 27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said. 30 If a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first be silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets. 33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says. 35 If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church. 36 What! Did the word of God originate with you, or are you the only ones it has reached?

37 If any one thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord. 38 If any one does not recognize this, he is not recognized. 39 So, my brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues; 40 but all things should be done decently and in order.

The Resurrection of Christ

15 Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, 2 by which you are saved, if you hold it fast—unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me. 11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

The Resurrection of the Dead

12 Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised;[bh] 14 if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. 17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 “For God[bi] has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection under him,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things under him. 28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things under him, that God may be everything to every one.

29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?[bj] 30 Why am I in peril every hour? 31 I protest, brethren, by my pride in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.” 33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 34 Come to your right mind, and sin no more. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

The Resurrection Body

35 But some one will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” 36 You foolish man! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 And what you sow is not the body which is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body. 39 For not all flesh is alike, but there is one kind for men, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. 40 There are celestial bodies and there are terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is imperishable. 43 It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 46 But it is not the spiritual which is first but the physical, and then the spiritual. 47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven. 48 As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. 49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall[bk] also bear the image of the man of heaven. 50 I tell you this, brethren: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

51 Lo! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality. 54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written:

“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is thy victory?
O death, where is thy sting?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

The Collection for the Saints

16 Now concerning the contribution for the saints:[bl] as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that contributions need not be made when I come. 3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

Plans for Travel

5 I will visit you after passing through Macedo′nia, for I intend to pass through Macedo′nia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may speed me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. 11 So let no one despise him. Speed him on his way in peace, that he may return to me; for I am expecting him with the brethren.

12 As for our brother Apol′los, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brethren, but it was not at all his will[bm] to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

Final Messages and Greetings

13 Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. 14 Let all that you do be done in love.

15 Now, brethren, you know that the household of Steph′anas were the first converts in Acha′ia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; 16 I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Steph′anas and Fortuna′tus and Acha′icus, because they have made up for your absence; 18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men.

19 The churches of Asia send greetings. Aq′uila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord. 20 All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. 22 If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come![bn] 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 1.2 saints: A word commonly used for Christians in Paul’s letters and in Acts.
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:4 Other ancient authorities read my God
  3. 1.12 Cephas: i.e., Peter. It does not follow from this that he had even been to Corinth, but it does indicate his authority there.
  4. 1 Corinthians 1:14 Other ancient authorities read I thank God
  5. 1 Corinthians 2:1 Other ancient authorities read mystery (or secret)
  6. 2.1-2 Paul’s failure at Athens convinced him that lofty words and worldly wisdom were less effective than Jesus crucified.
  7. 1 Corinthians 2:13 Or interpreting spiritual truths in spiritual language; or comparing spiritual things with spiritual
  8. 1 Corinthians 2:14 Or natural
  9. 1 Corinthians 3:9 Or fellow workers for God
  10. 3.13 the Day: i.e., the day of the Lord: God’s searching judgment.
  11. 3.16 God’s temple: The dignity of the Christians.
  12. 1 Corinthians 4:17 Or am sending
  13. 5.1 father’s wife: Evidently his stepmother.
  14. 5.5 to Satan: Not only excommunicated, but in some sense given over to suffering, for his own good.
  15. 1 Corinthians 5:5 Other ancient authorities omit Jesus
  16. 5.9-10 immoral: Literally, “fornicators.”
  17. 5.9-10 immoral: Literally, “fornicators.”
  18. 1 Corinthians 5:11 Or now I write
  19. 5.11 guilty of immorality: Literally, “a fornicator.”
  20. 6.1 the unrighteous: i.e., civil courts in which the judges were, of course, pagan.
  21. 6.9 the immoral: Literally, “fornicators.”
  22. 1 Corinthians 6:9 Two Greek words are rendered by this expression
  23. 6.9 homosexuals: Greek has “effeminate nor sodomites.” The apostle condemns, not the inherent tendencies of such, but the indulgence of them.
  24. 6.12 This saying is possibly an exaggeration of the freedom from the Mosaic law that Christians enjoyed. The saying has been applied to sinful practices, as is clear from the following verses.
  25. 6.13, 18 immorality: i.e., sexual immorality.
  26. 1 Corinthians 6:16 Greek one flesh
  27. 6.13, 18 immorality: i.e., sexual immorality.
  28. 7.2 Note Paul’s insistence on equality of man and woman in certain aspects of Christian marriage, and his recognition that the unmarried state is also a gift from God.
  29. 1 Corinthians 7:15 Other ancient authorities read you
  30. 1 Corinthians 7:21 Or make use of your present condition instead
  31. 1 Corinthians 7:25 Greek virgins
  32. 1 Corinthians 7:26 Or present
  33. 1 Corinthians 7:28 Greek virgin
  34. 1 Corinthians 7:34 Greek virgin
  35. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Greek virgin
  36. 1 Corinthians 7:37 Greek virgin
  37. 1 Corinthians 7:38 Greek virgin
  38. 8.1-13 Animals sacrificed to pagan gods were often sold as meat in the market. Could Christians buy such meat? Paul allows it so long as scandal is avoided.
  39. 9.3 Paul set great store by the fact that he has earned his living and waived his right to support by the faithful. He used this as an authentication of his apostolate.
  40. 1 Corinthians 9:5 Greek woman, sister
  41. 9.5 wife: Greek, a “woman,” a “sister.” This could mean either a woman who is a Christian or a wife who is a Christian. There were pious women who ministered to the apostles (Lk 8.3). As many of the apostles must have been married, they may have been ministered to by their wives, though it is possible they had left their wives in answer to the Lord’s command to leave all (Lk 18.28-29).
  42. 9.5 brethren: See note on Mt 12.46.
  43. 1 Corinthians 10:3 Greek spiritual
  44. 1 Corinthians 10:4 Greek spiritual
  45. 1 Corinthians 10:4 Greek spiritual
  46. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Other ancient authorities read Christ
  47. 1 Corinthians 10:16 Or communion
  48. 1 Corinthians 10:16 Or communion
  49. 10.20 Paul appears to forbid partaking in sacrificial meals. In verse 27 he says they may eat meat offered to idols if it is at an ordinary meal, unless it would cause scandal to any one present.
  50. 1 Corinthians 11:10 Greek authority (the veil being a symbol of this)
  51. 11.20 There was apparently a common meal before the Eucharist at which food and drink were to be shared. Paul condemns the abuses that had crept in.
  52. 1 Corinthians 11:24 Other ancient authorities read broken for
  53. 1 Corinthians 11:30 Greek have fallen asleep (as in 15.6, 20)
  54. 1 Corinthians 11:32 Or when we are judged we are being chastened by the Lord
  55. 12.1 The spiritual gifts here referred to were common in the first age of the church and helped to establish it on a firm basis.
  56. 12.31 Love, however, is far superior to these gifts.
  57. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Other ancient authorities read body that I may glory
  58. 1 Corinthians 14:16 That is, give thanks to God
  59. 1 Corinthians 14:16 Or him that is without gifts
  60. 15.13 Again, the resurrection of the dead is linked with Christ’s resurrection; cf. Rom 8.11.
  61. 1 Corinthians 15:27 Greek he
  62. 15.29 Apparently a custom of vicarious baptism for those who had died without it. Paul mentions it without approving it.
  63. 1 Corinthians 15:49 Other ancient authorities read let us
  64. 16.1 The collection to be made everywhere for the poor Christians in Jerusalem.
  65. 1 Corinthians 16:12 Or God’s will for him
  66. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Greek Maranatha
Listen to 1 Corinthians 1-16, 2 Corinthians 1-13
Close NKJV

1 Corinthians 1-16
New King James Version

Greeting

1 Paul, (A)called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ (B)through the will of God, and (C)Sosthenes our brother,

2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who (D)are [a]sanctified in Christ Jesus, (E)called to be saints, with all who in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ (F)our Lord, (G)both theirs and ours:

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

Spiritual Gifts at Corinth

4 (I)I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus, 5 that you were enriched in everything by Him (J)in all [b]utterance and all knowledge, 6 even as (K)the testimony of Christ was confirmed [c]in you, 7 so that you come short in no gift, eagerly (L)waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 (M)who will also confirm you to the end, (N)that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 (O)God is faithful, by whom you were called into (P)the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Sectarianism Is Sin

10 Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, (Q)that you all [d]speak the same thing, and that there be no [e]divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s household, that there are [f]contentions among you. 12 Now I say this, that (R)each of you says, “I am of Paul,” or “I am of (S)Apollos,” or “I am of (T)Cephas,” or “I am of Christ.” 13 (U)Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

14 I thank God that I baptized (V)none of you except (W)Crispus and (X)Gaius, 15 lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. 16 Yes, I also baptized the household of (Y)Stephanas. Besides, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, (Z)not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect.

Christ the Power and Wisdom of God(AA)

18 For the [g]message of the cross is (AB)foolishness to (AC)those who are perishing, but to us (AD)who are being saved it is the (AE)power of God. 19 For it is written:

(AF)“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
And bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.”

20 (AG)Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the [h]disputer of this age? (AH)Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For since, in the (AI)wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. 22 For (AJ)Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; 23 but we preach Christ crucified, (AK)to the Jews a [i]stumbling block and to the [j]Greeks (AL)foolishness, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ (AM)the power of God and (AN)the wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

Glory Only in the Lord

26 For [k]you see your calling, brethren, (AO)that not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many [l]noble, are called. 27 But (AP)God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; 28 and the [m]base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh should glory in His presence. 30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and (AQ)righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written, (AR)“He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.”

Christ Crucified

2 And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the [n]testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you (AS)except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 (AT)I was with you (AU)in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching (AV)were not with persuasive words of [o]human wisdom, (AW)but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the (AX)power of God.

Spiritual Wisdom

6 However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God [p]ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for (AY)had they known, they would not have (AZ)crucified the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written:

(BA)“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

10 But (BB)God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of a man except the (BC)spirit of the man which is in him? (BD)Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but (BE)the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.

13 These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the [q]Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 (BF)But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. 16 For (BG)“who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” (BH)But we have the mind of Christ.

Sectarianism Is Carnal

3 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to (BI)babes in Christ. 2 I fed you with (BJ)milk and not with solid food; (BK)for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; 3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and [r]behaving like mere men? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal?

Watering, Working, Warning

5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but (BL)ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 (BM)I planted, (BN)Apollos watered, (BO)but God gave the increase. 7 So then (BP)neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, (BQ)and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.

9 For (BR)we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are (BS)God’s building. 10 (BT)According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid (BU)the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than (BV)that which is laid, (BW)which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day (BX)will declare it, because (BY)it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

16 (BZ)Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone [s]defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Avoid Worldly Wisdom

18 (CA)Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, (CB)“He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 20 and again, (CC)“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For (CD)all things are yours: 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas, or the world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours. 23 And (CE)you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Stewards of the Mysteries of God

4 Let a man so consider us, as (CF)servants of Christ (CG)and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human [t]court. In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 (CH)Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to (CI)light the hidden things of darkness and (CJ)reveal the [u]counsels of the hearts. (CK)Then each one’s praise will come from God.

Fools for Christ’s Sake

6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be [v]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who [w]makes you differ from another? And (CL)what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

8 You are already full! (CM)You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us—and indeed I could wish you did reign, that we also might reign with you! 9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a (CN)spectacle [x]to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are (CO)fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! (CP)We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 (CQ)And we labor, working with our own hands. (CR)Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we [y]entreat. (CS)We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.

Paul’s Paternal Care

14 I do not write these things to shame you, but (CT)as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for (CU)in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, (CV)imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent (CW)Timothy to you, (CX)who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will (CY)remind you of my ways in Christ, as I (CZ)teach everywhere (DA)in every church.

18 (DB)Now some are [z]puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 (DC)But I will come to you shortly, (DD)if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For (DE)the kingdom of God is not in word but in (DF)power. 21 What do you want? (DG)Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?

Immorality Defiles the Church

5 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even [aa]named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s (DH)wife! 2 (DI)And you are [ab]puffed up, and have not rather (DJ)mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. 3 (DK)For I indeed, as absent in body but present in spirit, have already judged (as though I were present) him who has so done this deed. 4 In the (DL)name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, (DM)with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 (DN)deliver such a one to (DO)Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord [ac]Jesus.

6 (DP)Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that (DQ)a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Therefore [ad]purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed (DR)Christ, our (DS)Passover, was sacrificed [ae]for us. 8 Therefore (DT)let us keep the feast, (DU)not with old leaven, nor (DV)with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Immorality Must Be Judged

9 I wrote to you in my epistle (DW)not to [af]keep company with sexually immoral people. 10 Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go (DX)out of the world. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company (DY)with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—(DZ)not even to eat with such a person.

12 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? 13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore (EA)“put away from yourselves the evil person.”

Do Not Sue the Brethren

6 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the (EB)saints? 2 Do you not know that (EC)the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall (ED)judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? 4 If then you have [ag]judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 5 I say this to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!

7 Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. (EE)Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? 8 No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! 9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. (EF)Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor [ah]homosexuals, nor [ai]sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were (EG)some of you. (EH)But you were washed, but you were [aj]sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

Glorify God in Body and Spirit

12 (EI)All things are lawful for me, but all things are not [ak]helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of [al]any. 13 (EJ)Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for (EK)sexual immorality but (EL)for the Lord, (EM)and the Lord for the body. 14 And (EN)God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up (EO)by His power.

15 Do you not know that (EP)your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! 16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For (EQ)“the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 (ER)But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

18 (ES)Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins (ET)against his own body. 19 Or (EU)do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, (EV)and you are not your own? 20 For (EW)you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body [am]and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Principles of Marriage

7 Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:

(EX)It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. 3 (EY)Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 (EZ)Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and prayer; and come together again so that (FA)Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. 6 But I say this as a concession, (FB)not as a commandment. 7 For (FC)I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.

8 But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: (FD)It is good for them if they remain even as I am; 9 but (FE)if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

Keep Your Marriage Vows

10 Now to the married I command, yet not I but the (FF)Lord: (FG)A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife.

12 But to the rest I, not the Lord, say: If any brother has a wife who does not believe, and she is willing to live with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And a woman who has a husband who does not believe, if he is willing to live with her, let her not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise (FH)your children would be unclean, but now they are holy. 15 But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us (FI)to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will (FJ)save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, whether you will save your wife?

Live as You Are Called

17 But as God has distributed to each one, as the Lord has called each one, so let him walk. And (FK)so I [an]ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? (FL)Let him not be circumcised. 19 (FM)Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but (FN)keeping the commandments of God is what matters. 20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is (FO)the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is (FP)Christ’s slave. 23 (FQ)You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with (FR)God in that state in which he was called.

To the Unmarried and Widows

25 Now concerning virgins: (FS)I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one (FT)whom the Lord in His mercy has made (FU)trustworthy. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—(FV)that it is good for a man to remain as he is: 27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be loosed. Are you loosed from a wife? Do not seek a wife. 28 But even if you do marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. Nevertheless such will have trouble in the flesh, but I would spare you.

29 But (FW)this I say, brethren, the time is short, so that from now on even those who have wives should be as though they had none, 30 those who weep as though they did not weep, those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice, those who buy as though they did not possess, 31 and those who use this world as not (FX)misusing it. For (FY)the form of this world is passing away.

32 But I want you to be without [ao]care. (FZ)He who is unmarried [ap]cares for the things of the Lord—how he may please the Lord. 33 But he who is married cares about the things of the world—how he may please his wife. 34 There is a difference between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman (GA)cares about the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. But she who is married cares about the things of the world—how she may please her husband. 35 And this I say for your own profit, not that I may put a leash on you, but for what is proper, and that you may serve the Lord without distraction.

36 But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his [aq]virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his [ar]virgin, does well. 38 (GB)So then he who gives [as]her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.

39 (GC)A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, (GD)only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, (GE)according to my judgment—and (GF)I think I also have the Spirit of God.

Be Sensitive to Conscience

8 Now (GG)concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have (GH)knowledge. (GI)Knowledge [at]puffs up, but love [au]edifies. 2 And (GJ)if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that (GK)an idol is nothing in the world, (GL)and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are (GM)so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet (GN)for us there is one God, the Father, (GO)of whom are all things, and we for Him; and (GP)one Lord Jesus Christ, (GQ)through whom are all things, and (GR)through whom we live.

7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, (GS)with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is (GT)defiled. 8 But (GU)food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.

9 But (GV)beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become (GW)a [av]stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not (GX)the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And (GY)because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But (GZ)when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, (HA)if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

A Pattern of Self-Denial

9 Am (HB)I not an apostle? Am I not free? (HC)Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? (HD)Are you not my work in the Lord? 2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are (HE)the [aw]seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 My defense to those who examine me is this: 4 (HF)Do we have no [ax]right to eat and drink? 5 Do we have no right to take along [ay]a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, (HG)the brothers of the Lord, and (HH)Cephas? 6 Or is it only Barnabas and I (HI)who have no right to refrain from working? 7 Who ever (HJ)goes to war at his own expense? Who (HK)plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who (HL)tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

8 Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? 9 For it is written in the law of Moses, (HM)“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that (HN)he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 (HO)If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?

(HP)Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things (HQ)lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 (HR)Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the (HS)temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so (HT)the Lord has commanded (HU)that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

15 But (HV)I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for (HW)it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for (HX)necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, (HY)I have a reward; but if against my will, (HZ)I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That (IA)when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel [az]of Christ without charge, that I (IB)may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

Serving All Men

19 For though I am (IC)free from all men, (ID)I have made myself a servant to all, (IE)that I might win the more; 20 and (IF)to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the [ba]law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 (IG)to (IH)those who are without law, as without law (II)(not being without [bb]law toward God, but under [bc]law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 (IJ)to the weak I became [bd]as weak, that I might win the weak. (IK)I have become all things to all men, (IL)that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Striving for a Crown

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? (IM)Run in such a way that you may [be]obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize [bf]is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for (IN)an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: (IO)not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 (IP)But I discipline my body and (IQ)bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become (IR)disqualified.

Old Testament Examples

10 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under (IS)the cloud, all passed through (IT)the sea, 2 all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 all ate the same (IU)spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same (IV)spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies (IW)were scattered in the wilderness.

6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as (IX)they also lusted. 7 (IY)And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, (IZ)“The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” 8 (JA)Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as (JB)some of them did, and (JC)in one day twenty-three thousand fell; 9 nor let us [bg]tempt Christ, as (JD)some of them also tempted, and (JE)were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as (JF)some of them also complained, and (JG)were destroyed by (JH)the destroyer. 11 Now [bh]all these things happened to them as examples, and (JI)they were written for our [bi]admonition, (JJ)upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore (JK)let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but (JL)God is faithful, (JM)who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to [bj]bear it.

Flee from Idolatry

14 Therefore, my beloved, (JN)flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to (JO)wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 (JP)The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the [bk]communion of the blood of Christ? (JQ)The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For (JR)we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

18 Observe (JS)Israel (JT)after the flesh: (JU)Are not those who eat of the sacrifices [bl]partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? (JV)That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles (JW)sacrifice (JX)they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 (JY)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and (JZ)the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the (KA)Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we (KB)provoke the Lord to jealousy? (KC)Are we stronger than He?

All to the Glory of God(KD)

23 All things are lawful [bm]for me, but not all things are (KE)helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things [bn]edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one (KF)the other’s well-being.

25 (KG)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for (KH)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, (KI)eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it (KJ)for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; [bo]for (KK)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For (KL)why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food (KM)over which I give thanks?

31 (KN)Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (KO)Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just (KP)as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Worship and the Lord’s Supper

11 Imitate(KQ) me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Head Coverings

2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. 3 But I want you to know that (KR)the head of every man is Christ, (KS)the head of woman is man, and (KT)the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man praying or (KU)prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. 5 But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were (KV)shaved. 6 For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is (KW)shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. 7 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since (KX)he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. 8 For man is not from woman, but woman (KY)from man. 9 Nor was man created for the woman, but woman (KZ)for the man. 10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, (LA)neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. 12 For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.

13 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given [bp]to her for a covering. 16 But (LB)if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, (LC)nor do the churches of God.

Conduct at the Lord’s Supper

17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, (LD)I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For (LE)there must also be factions among you, (LF)that those who are approved may be [bq]recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and (LG)another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise (LH)the church of God and (LI)shame [br]those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

Institution of the Lord’s Supper(LJ)

23 For (LK)I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: (LL)that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, [bs]“Take, eat; this is My body which is [bt]broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death (LM)till He comes.

Examine Yourself

27 Therefore whoever eats (LN)this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and [bu]blood of the Lord. 28 But (LO)let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks [bv]in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the [bw]Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many [bx]sleep. 31 For (LP)if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, (LQ)we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

33 Therefore, my brethren, when you (LR)come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

Spiritual Gifts: Unity in Diversity

12 Now (LS)concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 2 You know (LT)that[by] you were Gentiles, carried away to these (LU)dumb[bz] idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus [ca]accursed, and (LV)no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

4 (LW)There are [cb]diversities of gifts, but (LX)the same Spirit. 5 (LY)There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God (LZ)who works [cc]all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given (MA)the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another (MB)the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 (MC)to another faith by the same Spirit, to another (MD)gifts of healings by [cd]the same Spirit, 10 (ME)to another the working of miracles, to another (MF)prophecy, to another (MG)discerning of spirits, to another (MH)different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, (MI)distributing to each one individually (MJ)as He wills.

Unity and Diversity in One Body(MK)

12 For (ML)as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, (MM)so also is Christ. 13 For (MN)by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—(MO)whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and (MP)have all been made to drink [ce]into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling? 18 But now (MQ)God has set the members, each one of them, in the body (MR)just as He pleased. 19 And if they were all one member, where would the body be?

20 But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. 23 And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, 24 but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no [cf]schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now (MS)you are the body of Christ, and (MT)members individually. 28 And (MU)God has appointed these in the church: first (MV)apostles, second (MW)prophets, third teachers, after that (MX)miracles, then (MY)gifts of healings, (MZ)helps, (NA)administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But (NB)earnestly desire the [cg]best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

The Greatest Gift

13 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of (NC)prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, (ND)so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And (NE)though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [ch]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4 (NF)Love suffers long and is (NG)kind; love (NH)does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not [ci]puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, (NI)does not seek its own, is not provoked, [cj]thinks no evil; 6 (NJ)does not rejoice in iniquity, but (NK)rejoices in the truth; 7 (NL)bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 (NM)For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [ck]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For (NN)now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then (NO)face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Prophecy and Tongues

14 Pursue love, and (NP)desire spiritual gifts, (NQ)but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who (NR)speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. 3 But he who prophesies speaks (NS)edification and (NT)exhortation and comfort to men. 4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; [cl]for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification.

Tongues Must Be Interpreted

6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by (NU)revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 7 Even things without life, whether flute or harp, when they make a sound, unless they make a distinction in the sounds, how will it be known what is piped or played? 8 For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 9 So likewise you, unless you utter by the tongue words easy to understand, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so many kinds of languages in the world, and none of them is without [cm]significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a [cn]foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are [co]zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the [cp]edification of the church that you seek to excel.

13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may (NV)interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. (NW)I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing (NX)with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” (NY)at your giving of thanks, since he does not understand what you say? 17 For you indeed give thanks well, but the other is not edified.

18 I thank my God I speak with tongues more than you all; 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

Tongues a Sign to Unbelievers

20 Brethren, (NZ)do not be children in understanding; however, in malice (OA)be babes, but in understanding be mature.

21 (OB)In the law it is written:

(OC)“With men of other tongues and other lips
I will speak to this people;
And yet, for all that, they will not hear Me,”

says the Lord.

22 Therefore tongues are for a (OD)sign, not to those who believe but to unbelievers; but prophesying is not for unbelievers but for those who believe. 23 Therefore if the whole church comes together in one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those who are uninformed or unbelievers, (OE)will they not say that you are [cq]out of your mind? 24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an uninformed person comes in, he is convinced by all, he is convicted by all. 25 [cr]And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report (OF)that God is truly among you.

Order in Church Meetings

26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, (OG)has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. (OH)Let all things be done for [cs]edification. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in church, and let him speak to himself and to God. 29 Let two or three prophets speak, and (OI)let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, (OJ)let the first keep silent. 31 For you can all prophesy one by one, that all may learn and all may be encouraged. 32 And (OK)the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of [ct]confusion but of peace, (OL)as in all the churches of the saints.

34 (OM)Let [cu]your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the (ON)law also says. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church.

36 Or did the word of God come originally from you? Or was it you only that it reached? 37 (OO)If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord. 38 But [cv]if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

39 Therefore, brethren, (OP)desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues. 40 (OQ)Let all things be done decently and in order.

The Risen Christ, Faith’s Reality(OR)

15 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel (OS)which I preached to you, which also you received and (OT)in which you stand, 2 (OU)by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless (OV)you believed in vain.

3 For (OW)I delivered to you first of all that (OX)which I also received: that Christ died for our sins (OY)according to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day (OZ)according to the Scriptures, 5 (PA)and that He was seen by [cw]Cephas, then (PB)by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have [cx]fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then (PC)by all the apostles. 8 (PD)Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

9 For I am (PE)the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because (PF)I persecuted the church of God. 10 But (PG)by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, (PH)yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

The Risen Christ, Our Hope(PI)

12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, (PJ)then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. 15 Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because (PK)we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise. 16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; (PL)you are still in your sins! 18 Then also those who have [cy]fallen (PM)asleep in Christ have perished. 19 (PN)If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

The Last Enemy Destroyed

20 But now (PO)Christ is risen from the dead, and has become (PP)the firstfruits of those who have [cz]fallen asleep. 21 For (PQ)since by man came death, (PR)by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall (PS)be made alive. 23 But (PT)each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming. 24 Then comes the end, when He delivers (PU)the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. 25 For He must reign (PV)till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 (PW)The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For (PX)“He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. 28 (PY)Now when all things are made subject to Him, then (PZ)the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all.

Effects of Denying the Resurrection

29 Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead? 30 And (QA)why do we stand in [da]jeopardy every hour? 31 I affirm, by (QB)the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, (QC)I die daily. 32 If, in the manner of men, (QD)I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, (QE)“Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”

33 Do not be deceived: (QF)“Evil company corrupts good habits.” 34 (QG)Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; (QH)for some do not have the knowledge of God. (QI)I speak this to your shame.

A Glorious Body

35 But someone will say, (QJ)“How are the dead raised up? And with what body do they come?” 36 Foolish one, (QK)what you sow is not made alive unless it dies. 37 And what you sow, you do not sow that body that shall be, but mere grain—perhaps wheat or some other grain. 38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.

39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one kind [db]of flesh of men, another flesh of animals, another of fish, and another of birds.

40 There are also [dc]celestial bodies and [dd]terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.

42 (QL)So also is the resurrection of the dead. The body is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption. 43 (QM)It is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, (QN)“The first man Adam became a living being.” (QO)The last Adam became (QP)a life-giving spirit.

46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual. 47 (QQ)The first man was of the earth, (QR)made[de] of dust; the second Man is [df]the Lord (QS)from heaven. 48 As was the [dg]man of dust, so also are those who are made of dust; (QT)and as is the heavenly Man, so also are those who are heavenly. 49 And (QU)as we have borne the image of the man of dust, (QV)we[dh] shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

Our Final Victory

50 Now this I say, brethren, that (QW)flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a [di]mystery: (QX)We shall not all sleep, (QY)but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. (QZ)For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and (RA)this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: (RB)“Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O(RC)[dj] Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?”

56 The sting of death is sin, and (RD)the strength of sin is the law. 57 (RE)But thanks be to God, who gives us (RF)the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 (RG)Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing (RH)that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Collection for the Saints

16 Now concerning (RI)the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: 2 (RJ)On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come. 3 And when I come, (RK)whomever you approve by your letters I will send to bear your gift to Jerusalem. 4 (RL)But if it is fitting that I go also, they will go with me.

Personal Plans(RM)

5 Now I will come to you (RN)when I pass through Macedonia (for I am passing through Macedonia). 6 And it may be that I will remain, or even spend the winter with you, that you may (RO)send me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, (RP)if the Lord permits.

8 But I will tarry in Ephesus until (RQ)Pentecost. 9 For (RR)a great and effective door has opened to me, and (RS)there are many adversaries.

10 And (RT)if Timothy comes, see that he may be with you without fear; for (RU)he does the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 (RV)Therefore let no one despise him. But send him on his journey (RW)in peace, that he may come to me; for I am waiting for him with the brethren.

12 Now concerning our brother (RX)Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.

Final Exhortations

13 (RY)Watch, (RZ)stand fast in the faith, be brave, (SA)be strong. 14 (SB)Let all that you do be done with love.

15 I urge you, brethren—you know (SC)the household of Stephanas, that it is (SD)the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to (SE)the ministry of the saints— 16 (SF)that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and (SG)labors with us.

17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, (SH)for what was lacking on your part they supplied. 18 (SI)For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore (SJ)acknowledge such men.

Greetings and a Solemn Farewell

19 The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the Lord, (SK)with the church that is in their house. 20 All the brethren greet you.

(SL)Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 (SM)The salutation with my own hand—Paul’s.

22 If anyone (SN)does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, (SO)let him be [dk]accursed. (SP)O[dl] Lord, come!

23 (SQ)The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 1:2 set apart
  2. 1 Corinthians 1:5 speech
  3. 1 Corinthians 1:6 Or among
  4. 1 Corinthians 1:10 Have a uniform testimony
  5. 1 Corinthians 1:10 schisms or dissensions
  6. 1 Corinthians 1:11 quarrels
  7. 1 Corinthians 1:18 Lit. word
  8. 1 Corinthians 1:20 debater
  9. 1 Corinthians 1:23 Gr. skandalon, offense
  10. 1 Corinthians 1:23 NU Gentiles
  11. 1 Corinthians 1:26 consider
  12. 1 Corinthians 1:26 well-born
  13. 1 Corinthians 1:28 insignificant or lowly
  14. 1 Corinthians 2:1 NU mystery
  15. 1 Corinthians 2:4 NU omits human
  16. 1 Corinthians 2:7 predetermined
  17. 1 Corinthians 2:13 NU omits Holy
  18. 1 Corinthians 3:3 Lit. walking according to man
  19. 1 Corinthians 3:17 destroys
  20. 1 Corinthians 4:3 Lit. day
  21. 1 Corinthians 4:5 motives
  22. 1 Corinthians 4:6 arrogant
  23. 1 Corinthians 4:7 distinguishes you
  24. 1 Corinthians 4:9 Lit. theater
  25. 1 Corinthians 4:13 exhort, encourage
  26. 1 Corinthians 4:18 arrogant
  27. 1 Corinthians 5:1 NU omits named
  28. 1 Corinthians 5:2 arrogant
  29. 1 Corinthians 5:5 NU omits Jesus
  30. 1 Corinthians 5:7 clean out
  31. 1 Corinthians 5:7 NU omits for us
  32. 1 Corinthians 5:9 associate
  33. 1 Corinthians 6:4 courts
  34. 1 Corinthians 6:9 catamites, those submitting to homosexuals
  35. 1 Corinthians 6:9 male homosexuals
  36. 1 Corinthians 6:11 set apart
  37. 1 Corinthians 6:12 profitable
  38. 1 Corinthians 6:12 Or anything
  39. 1 Corinthians 6:20 NU omits the rest of v. 20.
  40. 1 Corinthians 7:17 direct
  41. 1 Corinthians 7:32 concern
  42. 1 Corinthians 7:32 is concerned about
  43. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or virgin daughter
  44. 1 Corinthians 7:37 Or virgin daughter
  45. 1 Corinthians 7:38 NU his own virgin
  46. 1 Corinthians 8:1 makes arrogant
  47. 1 Corinthians 8:1 builds up
  48. 1 Corinthians 8:9 cause of offense
  49. 1 Corinthians 9:2 certification
  50. 1 Corinthians 9:4 authority
  51. 1 Corinthians 9:5 Lit. a sister, a wife
  52. 1 Corinthians 9:18 NU omits of Christ
  53. 1 Corinthians 9:20 NU adds though not being myself under the law
  54. 1 Corinthians 9:21 NU God’s law
  55. 1 Corinthians 9:21 NU Christ’s law
  56. 1 Corinthians 9:22 NU omits as
  57. 1 Corinthians 9:24 win
  58. 1 Corinthians 9:25 exercises self-control
  59. 1 Corinthians 10:9 test
  60. 1 Corinthians 10:11 NU omits all
  61. 1 Corinthians 10:11 instruction
  62. 1 Corinthians 10:13 endure
  63. 1 Corinthians 10:16 fellowship or sharing
  64. 1 Corinthians 10:18 fellowshippers or sharers
  65. 1 Corinthians 10:23 NU omits for me
  66. 1 Corinthians 10:23 build up
  67. 1 Corinthians 10:28 NU omits the rest of v. 28.
  68. 1 Corinthians 11:15 M omits to her
  69. 1 Corinthians 11:19 Lit. manifest, evident
  70. 1 Corinthians 11:22 The poor
  71. 1 Corinthians 11:24 NU omits Take, eat
  72. 1 Corinthians 11:24 NU omits broken
  73. 1 Corinthians 11:27 NU, M the blood
  74. 1 Corinthians 11:29 NU omits in an unworthy manner
  75. 1 Corinthians 11:29 NU omits Lord’s
  76. 1 Corinthians 11:30 Are dead
  77. 1 Corinthians 12:2 NU, M that when
  78. 1 Corinthians 12:2 mute, silent
  79. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Gr. anathema
  80. 1 Corinthians 12:4 allotments or various kinds
  81. 1 Corinthians 12:6 all things in
  82. 1 Corinthians 12:9 NU one
  83. 1 Corinthians 12:13 NU omits into
  84. 1 Corinthians 12:25 division
  85. 1 Corinthians 12:31 NU greater
  86. 1 Corinthians 13:3 NU so I may boast
  87. 1 Corinthians 13:4 arrogant
  88. 1 Corinthians 13:5 keeps no accounts of evil
  89. 1 Corinthians 13:10 complete
  90. 1 Corinthians 14:5 NU and
  91. 1 Corinthians 14:10 meaning
  92. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Lit. barbarian
  93. 1 Corinthians 14:12 eager
  94. 1 Corinthians 14:12 building up
  95. 1 Corinthians 14:23 insane
  96. 1 Corinthians 14:25 NU omits And thus
  97. 1 Corinthians 14:26 building up
  98. 1 Corinthians 14:33 disorder
  99. 1 Corinthians 14:34 NU omits your
  100. 1 Corinthians 14:38 NU if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
  101. 1 Corinthians 15:5 Peter
  102. 1 Corinthians 15:6 Died
  103. 1 Corinthians 15:18 Died
  104. 1 Corinthians 15:20 Died
  105. 1 Corinthians 15:30 danger
  106. 1 Corinthians 15:39 NU, M omit of flesh
  107. 1 Corinthians 15:40 heavenly
  108. 1 Corinthians 15:40 earthly
  109. 1 Corinthians 15:47 earthy
  110. 1 Corinthians 15:47 NU omits the Lord
  111. 1 Corinthians 15:48 earthy
  112. 1 Corinthians 15:49 M let us also bear
  113. 1 Corinthians 15:51 hidden truth
  114. 1 Corinthians 15:55 NU O Death, where is your victory? O Death, where is your sting?
  115. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Gr. anathema
  116. 1 Corinthians 16:22 Aram. Marana tha; possibly Maran atha, Our Lord has come
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2 Corinthians 1
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2 Corinthians 1-4
Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition

Salutation

1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother.

To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Acha′ia:

2 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul’s Thanksgiving after Affliction

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.[a] 6 If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. 7 Our hope for you is unshaken; for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.

8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of the affliction[b] we experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself. 9 Why, we felt that we had received the sentence of death; but that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead; 10 he delivered us from so deadly a peril, and he will deliver us; on him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. 11 You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us in answer to many prayers.

The Postponement of Paul’s Visit

12 For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience that we have behaved in the world, and still more toward you, with holiness and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God. 13 For we write you nothing but what you can read and understand; I hope you will understand fully, 14 as you have understood in part, that you can be proud of us as we can be of you, on the day of the Lord Jesus.

15 Because I was sure of this, I wanted to come to you first, so that you might have a double pleasure;[c] 16 I wanted to visit you on my way to Macedo′nia, and to come back to you from Macedo′nia and have you send me on my way to Judea. 17 Was I vacillating when I wanted to do this? Do I make my plans like a worldly man, ready to say Yes and No at once? 18 As surely as God is faithful, our word to you has not been Yes and No. 19 For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we preached among you, Silva′nus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No; but in him it is always Yes. 20 For all the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why we utter the Amen through him, to the glory of God. 21 But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; 22 he has put his seal upon us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

23 But I call God to witness against me—it was to spare you that I refrained from coming to Corinth. 24 Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy, for you stand firm in your faith. 2 1 For I made up my mind not to make you another painful visit. 2 For if I cause you pain, who is there to make me glad but the one whom I have pained? 3 And I wrote as I did, so that when I came I might not be pained by those who should have made me rejoice, for I felt sure of all of you, that my joy would be the joy of you all. 4 For I wrote you out of much affliction and anguish of heart and with many tears, not to cause you pain but to let you know the abundant love that I have for you.

Forgiveness for the Offender

5 But if any one has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure—not to put it too severely—to you all. 6 For such a one this punishment by the majority is enough; 7 so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. 8 So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him. 9 For this is why I wrote, that I might test you and know whether you are obedient in everything. 10 Any one whom you forgive, I also forgive. What I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, 11 to keep Satan from gaining the advantage over us; for we are not ignorant of his designs.

Paul’s Anxiety in Troas

12 When I came to Tro′as to preach the gospel of Christ, a door was opened for me in the Lord; 13 but my mind could not rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I took leave of them and went on to Macedo′nia.

14 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumph, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word; but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.

Ministers of the New Covenant

3 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on your[d] hearts, to be known and read by all men; 3 and you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to claim anything as coming from us; our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has qualified us to be ministers of a new covenant, not in a written code but in the Spirit; for the written code kills, but the Spirit gives life.

7 Now if the dispensation of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such splendor that the Israelites could not look at Moses’ face because of its brightness, fading as this was, 8 will not the dispensation of the Spirit be attended with greater splendor? 9 For if there was splendor in the dispensation of condemnation, the dispensation of righteousness must far exceed it in splendor. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had splendor has come to have no splendor at all, because of the splendor that surpasses it. 11 For if what faded away came with splendor, what is permanent must have much more splendor.

12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not see the end of the fading splendor. 14 But their minds were hardened; for to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their minds; 16 but when a man turns to the Lord the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding[e] the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.[f]

Treasure in Clay Jars

4 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God,[g] we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways; we refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the likeness of God.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:5 Or For as the sufferings of Christ abound for us, so also our comfort abounds through Christ
  2. 1.8 affliction: Possibly the disturbance at Ephesus (Acts 19.23-41), or perhaps a serious illness.
  3. 2 Corinthians 1:15 Other ancient authorities read favor
  4. 2 Corinthians 3:2 Other ancient authorities read our
  5. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or reflecting
  6. 3.18 Cleansed in baptism through the power of the Holy Spirit, our soul shines with the reflected glory of God.
  7. 2 Corinthians 4:1 Greek as we have received mercy
Close NKJV

2 Corinthians 1-13
New King James Version

Greeting

1 Paul, (A)an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and (B)Timothy our brother,

To the church of God which is at Corinth, (C)with all the saints who are in all Achaia:

2 (D)Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Comfort in Suffering

3 (E)Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who (F)comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any [a]trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as (G)the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our [b]consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, (H)it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. 7 And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that (I)as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation.

Delivered from Suffering

8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of (J)our [c]trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life. 9 Yes, we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should (K)not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the dead, 10 (L)who delivered us from so great a death, and [d]does deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us, 11 you also (M)helping together in prayer for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on [e]our behalf (N)for the gift granted to us through many.

Paul’s Sincerity

12 For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in [f]simplicity and (O)godly sincerity, (P)not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. 13 For we are not writing any other things to you than what you read or understand. Now I trust you will understand, even to the end 14 (as also you have understood us in part), (Q)that we are your boast as (R)you also are ours, in the day of the Lord Jesus.

Sparing the Church

15 And in this confidence (S)I intended to come to you before, that you might have (T)a second benefit— 16 to pass by way of you to Macedonia, (U)to come again from Macedonia to you, and be helped by you on my way to Judea. 17 Therefore, when I was planning this, did I do it lightly? Or the things I plan, do I plan (V)according to the flesh, that with me there should be Yes, Yes, and No, No? 18 But as God is (W)faithful, our [g]word to you was not Yes and No. 19 For (X)the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, (Y)Silvanus, and (Z)Timothy—was not Yes and No, (AA)but in Him was Yes. 20 (AB)For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and (AC)has anointed us is God, 22 who (AD)also has sealed us and (AE)given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.

23 Moreover (AF)I call God as witness against my soul, (AG)that to spare you I came no more to Corinth. 24 Not (AH)that we [h]have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for (AI)by faith you stand.

Paul Urges Forgiveness

2 But I determined this within myself, (AJ)that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 For if I make you (AK)sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me?

Forgive the Offender

3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, (AL)I should have sorrow over those from whom I ought to have joy, (AM)having confidence in you all that my joy is the joy of you all. 4 For out of much [i]affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, (AN)not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.

5 But (AO)if anyone has caused grief, he has not (AP)grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. 6 This punishment which was inflicted (AQ)by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 (AR)so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are (AS)obedient in all things. 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For [j]if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Triumph in Christ

12 Furthermore, (AT)when I came to Troas to preach Christ’s gospel, and (AU)a [k]door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 (AV)I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.

14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us [l]diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. 15 For we are to God the fragrance of Christ (AW)among those who are being saved and (AX)among those who are perishing. 16 (AY)To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And (AZ)who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, as [m]so many, (BA)peddling[n] the word of God; but as (BB)of sincerity, but as from God, we speak in the sight of God in Christ.

Christ’s Epistle(BC)

3 Do (BD)we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, as some others, (BE)epistles of commendation to you or letters of commendation from you? 2 (BF)You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men; 3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, (BG)ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not (BH)on tablets of stone but (BI)on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.

The Spirit, Not the Letter

4 And we have such trust through Christ toward God. 5 (BJ)Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but (BK)our sufficiency is from God, 6 who also made us sufficient as (BL)ministers of (BM)the new covenant, not (BN)of the letter but of the [o]Spirit; for (BO)the letter kills, (BP)but the Spirit gives life.

Glory of the New Covenant

7 But if (BQ)the ministry of death, (BR)written and engraved on stones, was glorious, (BS)so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will (BT)the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? 9 For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry (BU)of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. 10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.

12 Therefore, since we have such hope, (BV)we use great boldness of speech— 13 unlike Moses, (BW)who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at (BX)the end of what was passing away. 14 But (BY)their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless (BZ)when one turns to the Lord, (CA)the veil is taken away. 17 Now (CB)the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is (CC)liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding (CD)as in a mirror (CE)the glory of the Lord, (CF)are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as [p]by the Spirit of the Lord.

The Light of Christ’s Gospel

4 Therefore, since we have this ministry, (CG)as we have received mercy, we (CH)do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor [q]handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth (CI)commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even if our gospel is veiled, (CJ)it is veiled to those who are perishing, 4 whose minds (CK)the god of this age (CL)has blinded, who do not believe, lest (CM)the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, (CN)who is the image of God, should shine on them. 5 (CO)For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and (CP)ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God (CQ)who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has (CR)shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Cast Down but Unconquered

7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, (CS)that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are (CT)hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not (CU)forsaken; (CV)struck down, but not destroyed— 10 (CW)always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, (CX)that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 11 For we who live (CY)are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So then death is working in us, but life in you.

13 And since we have (CZ)the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, (DA)“I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak, 14 knowing that (DB)He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you. 15 For (DC)all things are for your sakes, that (DD)grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God.

Seeing the Invisible

16 Therefore we (DE)do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is (DF)being renewed day by day. 17 For (DG)our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 (DH)while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Assurance of the Resurrection

5 For we know that if (DI)our earthly [r]house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house (DJ)not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this (DK)we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our [s]habitation which is from heaven, 3 if indeed, (DL)having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. 4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, (DM)but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also (DN)has given us the Spirit as [t]a guarantee.

6 So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. 7 For (DO)we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 We are confident, yes, (DP)well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

The Judgment Seat of Christ

9 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. 10 (DQ)For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, (DR)that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. 11 Knowing, therefore, (DS)the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.

Be Reconciled to God

12 For (DT)we do not commend ourselves again to you, but give you opportunity (DU)to boast on our behalf, that you may have an answer for those who boast in appearance and not in heart. 13 For (DV)if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; or if we are of sound mind, it is for you. 14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that (DW)if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, (DX)that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

16 (DY)Therefore, from now on, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, (DZ)yet now we know Him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone (EA)is in Christ, he is (EB)a new creation; (EC)old things have passed away; behold, all things have become (ED)new. 18 Now all things are of God, (EE)who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that (EF)God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not [u]imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Now then, we are (EG)ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. 21 For (EH)He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become (EI)the righteousness of God in Him.

Marks of the Ministry

6 We then, as (EJ)workers together with Him also (EK)plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For He says:

(EL)“In an acceptable time I have heard you,
And in the day of salvation I have helped you.”

Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.

3 (EM)We give no offense in anything, that our ministry may not be blamed. 4 But in all things we commend ourselves (EN)as ministers of God: in much [v]patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, 5 (EO)in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; 6 by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by [w]sincere love, 7 (EP)by the word of truth, by (EQ)the power of God, by (ER)the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; 9 as unknown, and (ES)yet well known; (ET)as dying, and behold we live; (EU)as chastened, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many (EV)rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.

Be Holy

11 O Corinthians! [x]We have spoken openly to you, (EW)our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but (EX)you are restricted by your own affections. 13 Now in return for the same (EY)(I speak as to children), you also be open.

14 (EZ)Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For (FA)what [y]fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what [z]communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For (FB)you[aa] are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

(FC)“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”

17 Therefore

(FD)“Come out from among them
And be separate, says the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you.”
18 “I (FE)will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My (FF)sons and daughters,
Says the Lord Almighty.”

The Corinthians’ Repentance

7 Therefore,(FG) having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

The Corinthians’ Repentance

2 Open your hearts to us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, (FH)we have cheated no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn; for (FI)I have said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. 4 (FJ)Great is my boldness of speech toward you, (FK)great is my boasting on your behalf. (FL)I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation.

5 For indeed, (FM)when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but (FN)we were troubled on every side. (FO)Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. 6 Nevertheless (FP)God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by (FQ)the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the [ab]consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.

8 For even if I made you (FR)sorry with my letter, I do not regret it; (FS)though I did regret it. For I perceive that the same epistle made you sorry, though only for a while. 9 Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. 10 For (FT)godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; (FU)but the sorrow of the world produces death. 11 For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it produced in you, what (FV)clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be (FW)clear in this matter. 12 Therefore, although I wrote to you, I did not do it for the sake of him who had done the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered wrong, (FX)but that our care for you in the sight of God might appear to you.

The Joy of Titus

13 Therefore we have been comforted in your comfort. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit (FY)has been refreshed by you all. 14 For if in anything I have boasted to him about you, I am not ashamed. But as we spoke all things to you in truth, even so our boasting to Titus was found true. 15 And his affections are greater for you as he remembers (FZ)the obedience of you all, how with fear and trembling you received him. 16 Therefore I rejoice that (GA)I have confidence in you in everything.

Excel in Giving

8 Moreover, brethren, we make known to you the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia: 2 that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and (GB)their deep poverty abounded in the riches of their liberality. 3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing, 4 imploring us with much urgency [ac]that we would receive the gift and (GC)the fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first (GD)gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the (GE)will of God. 6 So (GF)we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well. 7 But as (GG)you abound in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us—see (GH)that you abound in this grace also.

Christ Our Pattern

8 (GI)I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. 9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, (GJ)that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become (GK)rich.

10 And in this (GL)I give advice: (GM)It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and (GN)were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. 12 For (GO)if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.

13 For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; 14 but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality. 15 As it is written, (GP)“He who gathered much had nothing left over, and he who gathered little had no lack.”

Collection for the Judean Saints

16 But thanks be to God who [ad]puts the same earnest care for you into the heart of Titus. 17 For he not only accepted the exhortation, but being more diligent, he went to you of his own accord. 18 And we have sent with him (GQ)the brother whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches, 19 and not only that, but who was also (GR)chosen by the churches to travel with us with this gift, which is administered by us (GS)to the glory of the Lord Himself and to show your ready mind, 20 avoiding this: that anyone should blame us in this lavish gift which is administered by us— 21 (GT)providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

22 And we have sent with them our brother whom we have often proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, because of the great confidence which we have in you. 23 If anyone inquires about (GU)Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are inquired about, they are (GV)messengers[ae] of the churches, the glory of Christ. 24 Therefore show to them, [af]and before the churches, the proof of your love and of our (GW)boasting on your behalf.

Administering the Gift

9 Now concerning (GX)the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you; 2 for I know your willingness, about which I boast of you to the Macedonians, that Achaia was ready a (GY)year ago; and your zeal has stirred up the majority. 3 (GZ)Yet I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this respect, that, as I said, you may be ready; 4 lest if some Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we (not to mention you!) should be ashamed of this [ag]confident boasting. 5 Therefore I thought it necessary to [ah]exhort the brethren to go to you ahead of time, and prepare your generous gift beforehand, which you had previously promised, that it may be ready as a matter of generosity and not as a [ai]grudging obligation.

The Cheerful Giver

6 (HA)But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows [aj]bountifully will also reap [ak]bountifully. 7 So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, (HB)not grudgingly or of [al]necessity; for (HC)God loves a cheerful giver. 8 (HD)And God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. 9 As it is written:

(HE)“He has dispersed abroad,
He has given to the poor;
His righteousness endures forever.”

10 Now [am]may He who (HF)supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, [an]supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your (HG)righteousness, 11 while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, (HH)which causes thanksgiving through us to God. 12 For the administration of this service not only (HI)supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God, 13 while, through the proof of this ministry, they (HJ)glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal (HK)sharing with them and all men, 14 and by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding (HL)grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be to God (HM)for His indescribable gift!

The Spiritual War

10 Now (HN)I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—(HO)who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you. 2 But I beg you (HP)that when I am present I may not be bold with that confidence by which I intend to be bold against some, who think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 (HQ)For the weapons (HR)of our warfare are not [ao]carnal but (HS)mighty in God (HT)for pulling down strongholds, 5 (HU)casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 (HV)and being ready to punish all disobedience when (HW)your obedience is fulfilled.

Reality of Paul’s Authority

7 (HX)Do you look at things according to the outward appearance? (HY)If anyone is convinced in himself that he is Christ’s, let him again consider this in himself, that just as he is Christ’s, even [ap]so (HZ)we are Christ’s. 8 For even if I should boast somewhat more (IA)about our authority, which the Lord gave [aq]us for [ar]edification and not for your destruction, (IB)I shall not be ashamed— 9 lest I seem to terrify you by letters. 10 “For his letters,” they say, “are weighty and powerful, but (IC)his bodily presence is weak, and his (ID)speech contemptible.” 11 Let such a person consider this, that what we are in word by letters when we are absent, such we will also be in deed when we are present.

Limits of Paul’s Authority

12 (IE)For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. 13 (IF)We, however, will not boast beyond measure, but within the limits of the sphere which God appointed us—a sphere which especially includes you. 14 For we are not overextending ourselves (as though our authority did not extend to you), (IG)for it was to you that we came with the gospel of Christ; 15 not boasting of things beyond measure, that is, (IH)in other men’s labors, but having hope, that as your faith is increased, we shall be greatly enlarged by you in our sphere, 16 to preach the gospel in the regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man’s sphere of accomplishment.

17 But (II)“he who glories, let him glory in the Lord.” 18 For (IJ)not he who commends himself is approved, but (IK)whom the Lord commends.

Concern for Their Faithfulness

11 Oh, that you would bear with me in a little (IL)folly—and indeed you do bear with me. 2 For I am (IM)jealous for you with godly jealousy. For (IN)I have betrothed you to one husband, (IO)that I may present you (IP)as a chaste virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest somehow, as (IQ)the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds (IR)may be corrupted from the [as]simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a (IS)different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!

Paul and False Apostles

5 For I consider that (IT)I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles. 6 Even though (IU)I am untrained in speech, yet I am not (IV)in knowledge. But (IW)we have [at]been thoroughly manifested among you in all things.

7 Did I commit sin in [au]humbling myself that you might be exalted, because I preached the gospel of God to you (IX)free of charge? 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages from them to minister to you. 9 And when I was present with you, and in need, (IY)I was a burden to no one, for what I lacked (IZ)the brethren who came from Macedonia supplied. And in everything I kept myself from being burdensome to you, and so I will keep myself. 10 (JA)As the truth of Christ is in me, (JB)no one shall stop me from this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Why? (JC)Because I do not love you? God knows!

12 But what I do, I will also continue to do, (JD)that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such (JE)are false apostles, (JF)deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into (JG)an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, (JH)whose end will be according to their works.

Reluctant Boasting

16 I say again, let no one think me a fool. If otherwise, at least receive me as a fool, that I also may boast a little. 17 What I speak, (JI)I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast. 19 For you put up with fools gladly, (JJ)since you yourselves are wise! 20 For you put up with it (JK)if one brings you into bondage, if one devours you, if one takes from you, if one exalts himself, if one strikes you on the face. 21 To our shame (JL)I say that we were too weak for that! But (JM)in whatever anyone is bold—I speak foolishly—I am bold also.

Suffering for Christ

22 Are they (JN)Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? So am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ?—I speak as a fool—I am more: (JO)in labors more abundant, (JP)in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, (JQ)in deaths often. 24 From the Jews five times I received (JR)forty (JS)stripes minus one. 25 Three times I was (JT)beaten with rods; (JU)once I was stoned; three times I (JV)was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, (JW)in perils of my own countrymen, (JX)in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 in weariness and toil, (JY)in sleeplessness often, (JZ)in hunger and thirst, in (KA)fastings often, in cold and nakedness— 28 besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: (KB)my deep concern for all the churches. 29 (KC)Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?

30 If I must boast, (KD)I will boast in the things which concern my [av]infirmity. 31 (KE)The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, (KF)who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 (KG)In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me; 33 but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped from his hands.

The Vision of Paradise

12 It is [aw]doubtless not profitable for me to boast. I will come to (KH)visions and (KI)revelations of the Lord: 2 I know a man (KJ)in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one (KK)was caught up to the third heaven. 3 And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 how he was caught up into (KL)Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. 5 Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not (KM)boast, except in my infirmities. 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me.

The Thorn in the Flesh

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a (KN)thorn in the flesh was given to me, (KO)a messenger of Satan to [ax]buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 (KP)Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly (KQ)I will rather boast in my infirmities, (KR)that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore (KS)I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. (KT)For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Signs of an Apostle

11 I have become (KU)a fool [ay]in boasting; you have compelled me. For I ought to have been commended by you; for (KV)in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though (KW)I am nothing. 12 (KX)Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and (KY)wonders and mighty (KZ)deeds. 13 For what is it in which you were inferior to other churches, except that I myself was not burdensome to you? Forgive me this wrong!

Love for the Church

14 (LA)Now for the third time I am ready to come to you. And I will not be burdensome to you; for (LB)I do not seek yours, but you. (LC)For the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent (LD)for your souls; though (LE)the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.

16 But be that as it may, (LF)I did not burden you. Nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you by cunning! 17 Did I take advantage of you by any of those whom I sent to you? 18 I urged Titus, and sent our (LG)brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Did we not walk in the same spirit? Did we not walk in the same steps?

19 (LH)Again, [az]do you think that we excuse ourselves to you? (LI)We speak before God in Christ. (LJ)But we do all things, beloved, for your edification. 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that (LK)I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; 21 lest, when I come again, my God (LL)will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many (LM)who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, (LN)fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.

Coming with Authority

13 This will be (LO)the third time I am coming to you. (LP)“By the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established.” 2 (LQ)I have told you before, and foretell as if I were present the second time, and now being absent [ba]I write to those (LR)who have sinned before, and to all the rest, that if I come again (LS)I will not spare— 3 since you seek a proof of Christ (LT)speaking in me, who is not weak toward you, but mighty (LU)in you. 4 (LV)For though He was crucified in weakness, yet (LW)He lives by the power of God. For (LX)we also are weak in Him, but we shall live with Him by the power of God toward you.

5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, (LY)that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you [bb]are (LZ)disqualified. 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Paul Prefers Gentleness

7 Now [bc]I pray to God that you do no evil, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though (MA)we may seem disqualified. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. 9 For we are glad (MB)when we are weak and you are strong. And this also we pray, (MC)that you may be made complete. 10 (MD)Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the (ME)authority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.

Greetings and Benediction

11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. (MF)Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love (MG)and peace will be with you.

12 (MH)Greet one another with a holy kiss.

13 All the saints greet you.

14 (MI)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and (MJ)the [bd]communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. 2 Corinthians 1:4 tribulation
  2. 2 Corinthians 1:5 comfort
  3. 2 Corinthians 1:8 tribulation
  4. 2 Corinthians 1:10 NU shall
  5. 2 Corinthians 1:11 M your behalf
  6. 2 Corinthians 1:12 The opposite of duplicity
  7. 2 Corinthians 1:18 message
  8. 2 Corinthians 1:24 rule
  9. 2 Corinthians 2:4 tribulation
  10. 2 Corinthians 2:10 NU indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, I did it for your sakes
  11. 2 Corinthians 2:12 Opportunity
  12. 2 Corinthians 2:14 manifests
  13. 2 Corinthians 2:17 M the rest
  14. 2 Corinthians 2:17 adulterating for gain
  15. 2 Corinthians 3:6 Or spirit
  16. 2 Corinthians 3:18 Or from the Lord, the Spirit
  17. 2 Corinthians 4:2 adulterating the word of God
  18. 2 Corinthians 5:1 Physical body
  19. 2 Corinthians 5:2 dwelling
  20. 2 Corinthians 5:5 down payment, earnest
  21. 2 Corinthians 5:19 reckoning
  22. 2 Corinthians 6:4 endurance
  23. 2 Corinthians 6:6 Lit. unhypocritical
  24. 2 Corinthians 6:11 Lit. Our mouth is open
  25. 2 Corinthians 6:14 in common
  26. 2 Corinthians 6:14 fellowship
  27. 2 Corinthians 6:16 NU we
  28. 2 Corinthians 7:7 comfort
  29. 2 Corinthians 8:4 NU, M omit that we would receive, thus changing text to urgency for the favor and fellowship
  30. 2 Corinthians 8:16 NU has put
  31. 2 Corinthians 8:23 Lit. apostles, “sent ones”
  32. 2 Corinthians 8:24 NU, M omit and
  33. 2 Corinthians 9:4 NU confidence.
  34. 2 Corinthians 9:5 encourage
  35. 2 Corinthians 9:5 Lit. covetousness
  36. 2 Corinthians 9:6 with blessings
  37. 2 Corinthians 9:6 with blessings
  38. 2 Corinthians 9:7 compulsion
  39. 2 Corinthians 9:10 NU omits may
  40. 2 Corinthians 9:10 NU will supply
  41. 2 Corinthians 10:4 of the flesh
  42. 2 Corinthians 10:7 NU as we are.
  43. 2 Corinthians 10:8 NU omits us
  44. 2 Corinthians 10:8 building up
  45. 2 Corinthians 11:3 NU adds and purity
  46. 2 Corinthians 11:6 NU omits been
  47. 2 Corinthians 11:7 putting myself down
  48. 2 Corinthians 11:30 weakness
  49. 2 Corinthians 12:1 NU necessary, though not profitable, to boast
  50. 2 Corinthians 12:7 beat
  51. 2 Corinthians 12:11 NU omits in boasting
  52. 2 Corinthians 12:19 NU You have been thinking for a long time that we
  53. 2 Corinthians 13:2 NU omits I write
  54. 2 Corinthians 13:5 do not stand the test
  55. 2 Corinthians 13:7 NU we
  56. 2 Corinthians 13:14 fellowship
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1 Corinthians 16
2 Corinthians 5
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Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Revised Standard Version of the Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright © 1965, 1966 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

New King James Version (NKJV)

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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