The Church and Its Leaders

Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit(A) but as people who are still worldly(B)—mere infants(C) in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food,(D) for you were not yet ready for it.(E) Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling(F) among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,”(G) are you not mere human beings?

What, after all, is Apollos?(H) And what is Paul? Only servants,(I) through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed,(J) Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The one who plants and the one who waters have one purpose, and they will each be rewarded according to their own labor.(K) For we are co-workers in God’s service;(L) you are God’s field,(M) God’s building.(N)

10 By the grace God has given me,(O) I laid a foundation(P) as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. 11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.(Q) 12 If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 their work will be shown for what it is,(R) because the Day(S) will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.(T) 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.(U) 15 If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.(V)

16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple(W) and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?(X) 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.

18 Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise(Y) by the standards of this age,(Z) you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness(AA) in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a];(AB) 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”[b](AC) 21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders!(AD) All things are yours,(AE) 22 whether Paul or Apollos(AF) or Cephas[c](AG) or the world or life or death or the present or the future(AH)—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ,(AI) and Christ is of God.

The Nature of True Apostleship

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants(AJ) of Christ and as those entrusted(AK) with the mysteries(AL) God has revealed. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience(AM) is clear, but that does not make me innocent.(AN) It is the Lord who judges me.(AO) Therefore judge nothing(AP) before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.(AQ) He will bring to light(AR) what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.(AS)

Now, brothers and sisters, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, “Do not go beyond what is written.”(AT) Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.(AU) For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?(AV) And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich!(AW) You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you really had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you! For it seems to me that God has put us apostles on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die(AX) in the arena. We have been made a spectacle(AY) to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. 10 We are fools for Christ,(AZ) but you are so wise in Christ!(BA) We are weak, but you are strong!(BB) You are honored, we are dishonored! 11 To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless.(BC) 12 We work hard with our own hands.(BD) When we are cursed, we bless;(BE) when we are persecuted,(BF) we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage(BG) of the world—right up to this moment.

Paul’s Appeal and Warning

14 I am writing this not to shame you(BH) but to warn you as my dear children.(BI) 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father(BJ) through the gospel.(BK) 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.(BL) 17 For this reason I have sent to you(BM) Timothy,(BN) my son(BO) whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.(BP)

18 Some of you have become arrogant,(BQ) as if I were not coming to you.(BR) 19 But I will come to you very soon,(BS) if the Lord is willing,(BT) and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of(BU) talk but of power.(BV) 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline,(BW) or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 3:19 Job 5:13
  2. 1 Corinthians 3:20 Psalm 94:11
  3. 1 Corinthians 3:22 That is, Peter

ל Lamedh

89 Your word, Lord, is eternal;(A)
    it stands firm in the heavens.
90 Your faithfulness(B) continues through all generations;(C)
    you established the earth, and it endures.(D)
91 Your laws endure(E) to this day,
    for all things serve you.(F)
92 If your law had not been my delight,(G)
    I would have perished in my affliction.(H)
93 I will never forget(I) your precepts,
    for by them you have preserved my life.(J)
94 Save me,(K) for I am yours;
    I have sought out your precepts.(L)
95 The wicked are waiting to destroy me,(M)
    but I will ponder your statutes.(N)
96 To all perfection I see a limit,
    but your commands are boundless.(O)

מ Mem

97 Oh, how I love your law!(P)
    I meditate(Q) on it all day long.
98 Your commands are always with me
    and make me wiser(R) than my enemies.
99 I have more insight than all my teachers,
    for I meditate on your statutes.(S)
100 I have more understanding than the elders,
    for I obey your precepts.(T)
101 I have kept my feet(U) from every evil path
    so that I might obey your word.(V)
102 I have not departed from your laws,(W)
    for you yourself have taught(X) me.
103 How sweet are your words to my taste,
    sweeter than honey(Y) to my mouth!(Z)
104 I gain understanding(AA) from your precepts;
    therefore I hate every wrong path.(AB)

נ Nun

105 Your word is a lamp(AC) for my feet,
    a light(AD) on my path.
106 I have taken an oath(AE) and confirmed it,
    that I will follow your righteous laws.(AF)
107 I have suffered much;
    preserve my life,(AG) Lord, according to your word.
108 Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,(AH)
    and teach me your laws.(AI)
109 Though I constantly take my life in my hands,(AJ)
    I will not forget(AK) your law.
110 The wicked have set a snare(AL) for me,
    but I have not strayed(AM) from your precepts.
111 Your statutes are my heritage forever;
    they are the joy of my heart.(AN)
112 My heart is set(AO) on keeping your decrees
    to the very end.[a](AP)

ס Samekh

113 I hate double-minded people,(AQ)
    but I love your law.(AR)
114 You are my refuge and my shield;(AS)
    I have put my hope(AT) in your word.
115 Away from me,(AU) you evildoers,
    that I may keep the commands of my God!
116 Sustain me,(AV) my God, according to your promise,(AW) and I will live;
    do not let my hopes be dashed.(AX)
117 Uphold me,(AY) and I will be delivered;(AZ)
    I will always have regard for your decrees.(BA)
118 You reject all who stray(BB) from your decrees,
    for their delusions come to nothing.
119 All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross;(BC)
    therefore I love your statutes.(BD)
120 My flesh trembles(BE) in fear of you;(BF)
    I stand in awe(BG) of your laws.

ע Ayin

121 I have done what is righteous and just;(BH)
    do not leave me to my oppressors.
122 Ensure your servant’s well-being;(BI)
    do not let the arrogant oppress me.(BJ)
123 My eyes fail,(BK) looking for your salvation,(BL)
    looking for your righteous promise.(BM)
124 Deal with your servant according to your love(BN)
    and teach me your decrees.(BO)
125 I am your servant;(BP) give me discernment
    that I may understand your statutes.(BQ)
126 It is time for you to act, Lord;
    your law is being broken.(BR)
127 Because I love your commands(BS)
    more than gold,(BT) more than pure gold,(BU)
128 and because I consider all your precepts right,(BV)
    I hate every wrong path.(BW)

פ Pe

129 Your statutes are wonderful;(BX)
    therefore I obey them.(BY)
130 The unfolding of your words gives light;(BZ)
    it gives understanding to the simple.(CA)
131 I open my mouth and pant,(CB)
    longing for your commands.(CC)
132 Turn to me(CD) and have mercy(CE) on me,
    as you always do to those who love your name.(CF)
133 Direct my footsteps according to your word;(CG)
    let no sin rule(CH) over me.
134 Redeem me from human oppression,(CI)
    that I may obey your precepts.(CJ)
135 Make your face shine(CK) on your servant
    and teach me your decrees.(CL)
136 Streams of tears(CM) flow from my eyes,
    for your law is not obeyed.(CN)

צ Tsadhe

137 You are righteous,(CO) Lord,
    and your laws are right.(CP)
138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous;(CQ)
    they are fully trustworthy.(CR)
139 My zeal wears me out,(CS)
    for my enemies ignore your words.
140 Your promises(CT) have been thoroughly tested,(CU)
    and your servant loves them.(CV)
141 Though I am lowly and despised,(CW)
    I do not forget your precepts.(CX)
142 Your righteousness is everlasting
    and your law is true.(CY)
143 Trouble and distress have come upon me,
    but your commands give me delight.(CZ)
144 Your statutes are always righteous;
    give me understanding(DA) that I may live.

ק Qoph

145 I call with all my heart;(DB) answer me, Lord,
    and I will obey your decrees.(DC)
146 I call out to you; save me(DD)
    and I will keep your statutes.
147 I rise before dawn(DE) and cry for help;
    I have put my hope in your word.
148 My eyes stay open through the watches of the night,(DF)
    that I may meditate on your promises.
149 Hear my voice(DG) in accordance with your love;(DH)
    preserve my life,(DI) Lord, according to your laws.
150 Those who devise wicked schemes(DJ) are near,
    but they are far from your law.
151 Yet you are near,(DK) Lord,
    and all your commands are true.(DL)
152 Long ago I learned from your statutes(DM)
    that you established them to last forever.(DN)

ר Resh

153 Look on my suffering(DO) and deliver me,(DP)
    for I have not forgotten(DQ) your law.
154 Defend my cause(DR) and redeem me;(DS)
    preserve my life(DT) according to your promise.(DU)
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek out(DV) your decrees.
156 Your compassion, Lord, is great;(DW)
    preserve my life(DX) according to your laws.(DY)
157 Many are the foes who persecute me,(DZ)
    but I have not turned(EA) from your statutes.
158 I look on the faithless with loathing,(EB)
    for they do not obey your word.(EC)
159 See how I love your precepts;
    preserve my life,(ED) Lord, in accordance with your love.
160 All your words are true;
    all your righteous laws are eternal.(EE)

ש Sin and Shin

161 Rulers persecute me(EF) without cause,
    but my heart trembles(EG) at your word.
162 I rejoice(EH) in your promise
    like one who finds great spoil.(EI)
163 I hate and detest(EJ) falsehood
    but I love your law.(EK)
164 Seven times a day I praise you
    for your righteous laws.(EL)
165 Great peace(EM) have those who love your law,
    and nothing can make them stumble.(EN)
166 I wait for your salvation,(EO) Lord,
    and I follow your commands.
167 I obey your statutes,
    for I love them(EP) greatly.
168 I obey your precepts(EQ) and your statutes,(ER)
    for all my ways are known(ES) to you.

ת Taw

169 May my cry come(ET) before you, Lord;
    give me understanding(EU) according to your word.(EV)
170 May my supplication come(EW) before you;
    deliver me(EX) according to your promise.(EY)
171 May my lips overflow with praise,(EZ)
    for you teach me(FA) your decrees.
172 May my tongue sing(FB) of your word,
    for all your commands are righteous.(FC)
173 May your hand be ready to help(FD) me,
    for I have chosen(FE) your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation,(FF) Lord,
    and your law gives me delight.(FG)
175 Let me live(FH) that I may praise you,
    and may your laws sustain me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep.(FI)
    Seek your servant,
    for I have not forgotten(FJ) your commands.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 119:112 Or decrees / for their enduring reward

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