1 Corinthians 8-16

New Catholic Bible

Christians and Pagan Customs^[a]

The Question of Meat Sacrificed to Idols

Chapter 8

An Idol Is Not Nothing. ¹ Now concerning the question of meat that has been sacrificed to idols, we are well aware that all of us possess knowledge. However, while knowledge puffs up, love builds up. ² Anyone who believes that his knowledge about something is complete will soon discover that his knowledge is flawed, ³ but anyone who loves God is known by him.

⁴ Now in regard to the eating of meat sacrificed to idols, we know that idols are nothing in the world and that there is only one God. ⁵ Indeed, even though there are so-called gods in heaven and on earth—and there are in fact many gods and many lords— ⁶ for us there is

Do Not Cause a Brother To Fall. ⁷ However, not everyone possesses this knowledge. There are some who have become so accustomed to idolatry up until now that when they consume meat that has been sacrificed to an idol, their conscience in its weakness is defiled.

⁸ Obviously, food cannot bring us closer to God. We do not lack anything if we do not eat, and we have no advantage if we do. ⁹ Just take care that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak. ¹⁰ If someone who regards you as knowledgeable observes you eating in an idol’s temple, will he not, burdened by a weak conscience, be influenced to eat food that has been sacrificed to idols?

¹¹ Therefore, through your knowledge, this weak believer is brought to destruction, the brother for whom Christ died. ¹² And when you sin against your brethren and wound their weak consciences, you sin against Christ. ¹³ Hence, if food can lead my brother to sin, I will never again eat meat lest I cause the downfall of one of my brethren.

Chapter 9

The Example of Paul’s Apostolate

A Missionary’s Rights. ¹ Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not my work in the Lord? ² Although others may not regard me as an apostle, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

³ To those who seek to pass judgment on me, my defense is this. ⁴ Do we not have the right to eat and drink? ⁵ Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a believing wife like the other apostles, the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?^{[c] 6} Are Barnabas^[d] and I the only ones who do not have the right to refrain from working? ⁷ What soldier would ever serve in the army at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating its fruit? Or who tends a flock without consuming some of its milk?

⁸ I am not saying this based simply on human authority, for the Law says the very same thing. ⁹ In the Law of Moses it is written, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned, ¹⁰ or does he not rather say this for our sake? Without question it was written for our sake, for whoever plows should plow in hope and whoever threshes should thresh in hope, both in expectation of a share in the crop. ¹¹ If we have sown a spiritual crop for you, is it unreasonable for us to expect from you a material harvest? ¹² If others have this claim on you, do not we?

Despite this, we have never availed ourselves of any such right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than place an obstacle to the gospel of Christ. ¹³ Do you not know that those who perform the temple service receive their food from the temple, and that those who officiate at the altar share in the offerings? ¹⁴ In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the gospel should get their living from the gospel.^[e]

¹⁵ I Have Become All Things to All. However, I have never availed myself of any of these rights, and I have not written this to influence you to grant me such treatment; I would rather die first. No one shall deprive me of this boast! ¹⁶ If I proclaim the gospel, that is no reason for me to boast, for the obligation to do so has been given to me, and woe to me if I fail to fulfill it.

¹⁷ If I proclaimed the gospel of my own volition, I would deserve a reward; but if I do not do so voluntarily, I am simply discharging the commission that has been given to me. ¹⁸ What then is my reward? It is simply that in my preaching I may offer the gospel free of charge and not make use of the rights that the gospel affords me.

¹⁹ Although I am free and belong to no man, I have made myself a slave to all so as to win over as many as possible. ²⁰ To the Jews, I became like a Jew in order to win the Jews. To those under the Law, I became like one under the Law—although I myself am not under the Law—in order to win over those under the Law. ²¹ To those outside the Law, I became like one outside the Law—although I am not outside the Law of God but am subject to the Law of Christ—in order to win over those outside the Law. ²² To the weak, I have become weak in order to win over the weak. I have become all things to all, so that by every possible means I might save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel so that I might share it with you.

Flee from Idolatry^[f]

²⁴ Discipline Yourself So As Not To Be Disqualified. You are well aware that while all the runners in the stadium compete in the race, only one wins the prize. Run in such a way as to win the prize. ²⁵ Everyone who seeks a prize submits himself to rigorous self-discipline in every respect. They do so to win a perishable crown, while we seek an imperishable one. ²⁶ Therefore, I do not run without purpose, nor do I fight like a man beating the air. ²⁷ Rather, I discipline my body and bring it under control, for fear that after preaching to others I myself may be disqualified.

Chapter 10

The Lesson of Israel’s Past.^{[g] 1} Brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that our ancestors were all under the cloud and all passed through the sea, ² and they were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. ³ All ate the same spiritual food, ⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink—for they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. ⁵ Yet God was not pleased with most of them, and they were struck down in the desert.

⁶ These events occurred to offer examples for us so that we might not desire evil things as they did. ⁷ Do not become idolaters, as some of them did. It is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and they rose up to engage in revelry.”

⁸ Let us not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand of them died in a single day. ⁹ Let us not put Christ to the test, as some of them did, and they were destroyed by serpents. ¹⁰ And do not complain, as some of them did, and they were slain by the Destroyer.^{[h] 11} All these things happened to them to serve as an example, and they have been written down as a warning to us upon whom the end of the ages has come.

¹² Therefore, if you think you are standing securely, take care that you do not fall ¹³ No trial has confronted you except what a person can stand. God is faithful, and he will not allow you to be tried beyond your strength. But together with the trial he will also provide a way out and the strength to bear it.

¹⁴ The Eucharist Versus Pagan Sacrifices.^[i] Therefore, my dear friends, avoid idolatry at all costs.^{[j] 15} I am talking to you as sensible people. Judge for yourselves what I say. ¹⁶ The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? ¹⁷ Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

¹⁸ Consider the people of Israel.^[k] Are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? ¹⁹ What then am I implying? That meat sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

²⁰ No, I simply mean that pagan sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to become partners with demons. 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 Do we truly wish to provoke the Lord to jealous anger?^[l] Are we stronger than he is?

²³ Concerning Idol Offerings.“All things are lawful,” you may say—but not all things are beneficial. All things may be lawful—but not all things are constructive. ²⁴ No one should seek his own advantage in preference to that of his neighbor. ²⁵ You may eat whatever meat is sold in the market without raising questions on grounds of conscience, ²⁶ for “the earth and all it contains belong to the Lord.”

²⁷ If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you decide to accept, eat whatever is set before you without raising any questions on the grounds of conscience. ²⁸ However, if someone says to you, “This food was offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, out of consideration for the one who informed you and for the sake of conscience— ²⁹ I mean the other person’s conscience, not your own. For why should my freedom be governed by someone else’s conscience? ³⁰ If I partake of the meal with thankfulness, why should I be criticized for eating food for which I give thanks?

³¹ Give No Offense. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for 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 everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own good but that of the many, so that they may be saved.

Chapter 11

¹ Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

Liturgical Assemblies and Their Problems^[m]

Propriety in Worship^[n]

The Question of Head Coverings. ² I praise you because you remember me in everything and you maintain the traditions just as I handed them down to you.

³ But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the husband is the head of his wife, and God is the head of Christ. ⁴ Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings disgrace on his head. ⁵ And any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled brings disgrace upon her head, for it is just as though she had her head shaved. ⁶ Indeed, if a woman refuses to wear a veil, then she might as well have her hair cut off. If it is disgraceful for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should wear a veil.

⁷ It is not right for a man to have his head covered, since he is the image of God and the reflection of his glory, whereas woman is the reflection of the glory of man. ⁸ For man was not made from woman, but woman was made from man. ⁹ Nor was man created for the sake of woman, but woman was created for the sake of man.

¹⁰ Therefore, a woman should have on her head a sign^[o] of her dependence, because of the angels. ¹¹ Nevertheless, in the Lord, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. ¹² Although woman came from man, so does every man come from a woman, and all things come from God.

¹³ The Question of Long Hair. Judge for yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head unveiled? ¹⁴ Does not nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, he is disgraced, ¹⁵ whereas if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair was given to her as a covering. ¹⁶ However, if anyone wishes to argue further on this point, we have no such custom to do so, nor do any of the Churches of God.

The Lord’s Supper, Sign of Unity^[p]

¹⁷ Do You Despise the Church of God? Now in giving you this instruction I cannot praise you, because your meetings tend to do more harm than good. ¹⁸ To begin with, when you come together in your assembly, I hear that there are divisions among you, and to some extent I am inclined to believe it. ¹⁹ There must be such factions among you so that it will become clear to you which groups should be trusted.

^20 [q]When you do assemble, it is not to eat the Lord’s supper, ²¹ for each of you goes ahead with his own supper, and one goes hungry while another has too much to drink. ²² Do you not have homes in which you can eat and drink? Or do you have such contempt for the Church of God that you humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I praise you? In this matter, I cannot praise you.

²³ You Proclaim the Death of the Lord.^[r]For what I received from the Lord I handed on to you: the Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, ²⁴ and after giving thanks he broke it and said, “This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”

²⁵ In the same fashion, after the supper,^[s] he also took the cup and said, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.” ²⁶ And so, whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

²⁷ God’s Judgment on the Community.^[t] Therefore, anyone who eats the bread and drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner is guilty of an offense against the body and blood of the Lord. ²⁸ Everyone should examine himself about eating the bread and drinking from the cup. ²⁹ For a person who eats and drinks without discerning the body of the Lord is eating and drinking judgment on himself.

³⁰ That is why many of you are weak and ill, and a number of you have fallen asleep. ³¹ If we were to examine ourselves, we would not be condemned. ³² However, when we are judged by the Lord, he is disciplining us to save us from being condemned together with the world.

³³ Practical Conclusion. Therefore, brethren, when you come together for the meal, wait for one another. ³⁴ If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that in assembling you may not incur condemnation. As for the other matters, I will resolve them when I come.

The Gifts of the Spirit in the Service of the Church^[u]

Chapter 12

Discerning the Gifts of the Spirit. ¹ Now in regard to the gifts of the Spirit, brethren, I do not want you to be uninformed. ² You know that when you were still pagans you were constantly being enticed and led astray to the worship of mute idols. ³ Therefore, I wish you to understand that no one speaking under the influence of the Spirit of God says, “May Jesus be cursed.”^[v] Likewise, no one can say “Jesus is Lord,” except under the influence of the Holy Spirit.

The Spirit Distributes the Gifts for the Common Good.^{[w] 4} There are different varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different forms of activity, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone.

⁷ To each of us, the manifestation of the Spirit is given 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 Another by the same Spirit is granted faith, while still another is granted the gift of healing by the same Spirit.

¹⁰ To one, is granted the gift of mighty deeds;^[x] to another, the gift of prophecy; and to yet another, the gift to discern spirits. One receives the gift of tongues and another the ability to interpret them. ¹¹ One and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing them individually to each person as he wills.

¹² You Are the Body of Christ.^[y] The body is one, although it has many parts; and all the parts, though many, form one body. So it is with Christ. ¹³ For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, Jews as well as Greeks, slaves as well as free men, and we were all given the same Spirit to drink.

¹⁴ Now the body is one, although it has many parts. ¹⁵ If the foot were to say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it nevertheless still belongs to the body. ¹⁶ Or if an ear were to say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it nevertheless still belongs to the body.

¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, how would we be able to hear? If the whole body were an ear, how would we exercise a sense of smell? ¹⁸ But God arranged each part in the body as he intended. ¹⁹ If all the members were identical, where would the body be?

²⁰ As it is, there are many members, but one body. ²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I do not need you,” any more than the head can say to the feet, “I do not need you.” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are in fact indispensable, ²³ and those parts of the body that we regard as less honorable we clothe with greater honor, and our less respectable parts are treated with greater propriety, ²⁴ whereas our more respectable members have no need of this.

But God has so designed the body as to give greater honor to the more humble parts, ²⁵ in order that there may be no dissension within the body and each part may have equal concern for all the others. ²⁶ If one member suffers, all suffer together with it. If one member is honored, all the members rejoice together with it.

²⁷ You therefore are the body of Christ, and each of you is a part of it. ²⁸ And those whom God has appointed in the Church are first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then doers of mighty deeds, those who have the gifts of healing, helping others, administering, and various kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all doers of mighty deeds? ³⁰ Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ Set your hearts on the greater gifts.

Hymn to Love.^[z] Now I will show you a more excellent way.

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Seek the Gifts That Build Up the Community.^{[ac] 1} Make love your aim, but strive earnestly after the spiritual gifts, especially for that of prophecy. ² If anyone speaks in tongues, he is speaking not to men but to God, and no one understands him, for he is speaking mysteries in the Spirit. ³ On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to men for their building up, their encouragement, and their consolation.

⁴ Whoever speaks in a tongue builds himself up, but whoever prophesies builds up the Church. ⁵ I wish that all of you could speak in tongues, but I would much prefer that you could prophesy. For the one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless the latter can interpret what he is saying so that the Church may be built up.

⁶ Now suppose, brethren, that I should come to you and speak in tongues. Of what value would I be to you if you were unable to discern from my words any revelation or knowledge or prophecy or instruction? ⁷ Even inanimate things produce sound, such as a flute or a harp. If they do not produce distinct notes, how can anyone tell what tune is being played?

⁸ Or again, if the bugle call is unclear, who will get ready for battle? ⁹ Similarly, if you speak in tongues and your speech is unintelligible, how will anyone be able to understand what you are saying? For you will be talking to empty air.

¹⁰ There are many different languages that are used in the world, and none of them is without meaning. ¹¹ But if I do not comprehend the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and he will be a foreigner to me. ¹² Since you are eager to acquire spiritual gifts, try to excel in those that build up the Church.

¹³ Therefore, anyone who speaks in tongues should pray for the ability to interpret. ¹⁴ For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit is at prayer but my mind derives no benefit. ¹⁵ What then should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.

¹⁶ If you are praising only with the spirit, how will the uninstructed person who is present be able to answer “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not comprehend what you are saying? ¹⁷ Your thanksgiving may be inspiring, but the other person has not been edified.

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in tongues more than any of you, ¹⁹ but when I am in the church I would prefer to speak five intelligible words to instruct others rather than ten thousand words in a tongue.

²⁰ Brethren, do not be childish in your thinking. Be like infants in regard to evil, but in your thinking be mature. ²¹ In the Law^[ad] it is written,

²² Clearly, then, tongues are intended as a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is designed not for unbelievers but for believers.

²³ Therefore, if the whole Church has assembled and everyone is speaking in tongues, would not any uninstructed person or any unbeliever on entering conclude that you are all out of your minds? ²⁴ However, if everyone is prophesying and an unbeliever or uninstructed person should enter, he would be reproved by all and judged by all, ²⁵ and the secrets of his heart would be revealed. Then he would fall down and worship God, declaring, “God is truly in your midst.”

²⁶ Let Everything Be Done Properly and in an Orderly Fashion. And so, what then should be done, brethren? When you assemble, each of you should bring a psalm or some lesson or a revelation, or speak in a tongue, or offer an interpretation. Everything should be done with the goal in mind of building up. ²⁷ If any of you speak in a tongue, let only two or at most three come forward, one at a time, and someone must interpret. ²⁸ If no one is available to interpret, let those who speak in tongues be silent in the church and speak only to themselves and to God.

²⁹ As for the prophets, let two or three speak, and let the rest weigh their words. ³⁰ Should a revelation be made to someone else who is sitting there, let the one who is speaking stop. ³¹ You can all prophesy, but one at a time, so that all may receive instruction and encouragement. ³² Indeed, the spirits of the prophets are subject to their prophets’ control, ³³ for God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

As in all the Churches of the saints, ^34 [ae]women are to keep silent at the assemblies. For they are not permitted to speak, since the Law asserts that they are to be subordinate. ³⁵ If there is anything they wish to know, they should ask their husbands at home. It is improper for them to speak in the church.

³⁶ Did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only ones to whom it has come? ³⁷ Anyone who claims to be a prophet or to have spiritual powers must recognize that what I am writing to you is a commandment of the Lord. ³⁸ Anyone who does not acknowledge this should be ignored.

³⁹ Therefore, brethren, be eager to prophesy and do not forbid speaking in tongues. ⁴⁰ But ensure that everything is done properly and in an orderly fashion.

The Resurrection^[af]

The Resurrection of Christ

Chapter 15

The Risen Christ, Foundation of Our Faith.^{[ag] 1} And now, brethren, I want to remind you of the gospel I proclaimed to you, which you received and in which you stand firm. ² Through it you are also being saved, provided that you are holding fast to what I proclaimed to you. If not, then you have believed in vain.

^3 [ah]For I handed on to you as of primary importance what I received: that Christ died for our sins, in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁴ that he was buried and that he was raised to life on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, ⁵ and that he appeared to Cephas, and later to the Twelve. ⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred of the brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, although some have fallen asleep.^{[ai] 7} After that he appeared to James,^[aj] and then to all the apostles.

⁸ Last of all, he appeared to me, as to one born abnormally. ⁹ For I am the least of the apostles. I am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the Church of God. ¹⁰ However, by the grace of God I am what I am, and the grace he has bestowed upon me has not proved to be fruitless. Indeed, I have worked harder than any of them—although that should not be credited to me but to the grace of God within me. ¹¹ But whether it was I or they, this is what we preach and what you have come to believe.

The Resurrection of the Dead

¹² The Resurrection and Faith.^[ak] Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? ¹³ If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised. ¹⁴ And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is useless, and so is your faith. ¹⁵ We are even false witnesses to God, for we testified that he raised Christ when he did not raise him up, assuming it is true that the dead are not raised.

¹⁶ For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised. ¹⁷ And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is without any foundation, and you are still in your sins. ¹⁸ Then those who have fallen asleep in Christ are utterly lost. ¹⁹ If it is for just this life that we have hoped in Christ, we are the most pitiable of all men.

²⁰ Christ, the Firstfruits.^[al] But Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since death came into the world through a man, the resurrection of the dead has also come through a man.

²² Just as in Adam all die, so all will be brought to life in Christ, ²³ but each one in proper order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward, at his coming, those who belong to Christ. ²⁴ Then comes the end, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after he has destroyed every sovereignty and authority and power.^{[am] 25} For he is destined to reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

²⁶ The last enemy to be destroyed is death. ²⁷ For he has put all things under his feet. But when it says “all things are put under,” it is obvious that this excludes the one who subjected everything to him. ²⁸ When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who made all things subject to him, so that God may be all in all.

²⁹ Practical Faith. Otherwise, what will people accomplish when they have themselves baptized for the dead?^[an] If the dead are not raised at all, why should anyone be baptized for them? ³⁰ And why should we be placing ourselves in danger every hour? ³¹ I face death every day—that is as sure as the pride that I have in you, brethren, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

³² With only human hopes, what would I have gained by fighting those wild beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised,

³³ Do not let anyone lead you astray. “Bad company corrupts good morals.” ³⁴ Come to your senses and sin no more. For some of you have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

The Mode of the Resurrection

³⁵ The Resurrected Body. Someone may ask, “How are the dead raised? What sort of body will they have when they come back?” ³⁶ This is foolish. What you sow must die before it is given new life, ³⁷ and what you sow is not the body that is to be but a bare grain of wheat or of something else. ³⁸ God gives to it a body that he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own particular body.

³⁹ Not all flesh is alike. There is one kind for human beings, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish. ⁴⁰ There are both heavenly bodies and earthly bodies. The splendor of heavenly bodies is of one kind, and that of earthly bodies is another. ⁴¹ The sun has a splendor of its own, the moon another splendor, and the stars still another. Indeed, the stars differ among themselves in splendor.

⁴² So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. ⁴³ What is sown in dishonor is raised as glorious. What is sown in weakness is raised in power. ⁴⁴ What is sown is a physical body; what is raised is a spiritual body.

The Natural and the Spiritual Body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. ⁴⁵ As it is written, the first man, Adam, became a living being; the last Adam has become a lifegiving spirit. ⁴⁶ But the spiritual body did not come first. Rather the natural body came first, and then the spiritual.

⁴⁷ The first man was formed from the dust of the earth; the second man is from heaven. ⁴⁸ The man formed from dust is the pattern for earthly people; the heavenly man is the pattern for those who are of heaven. ⁴⁹ Just as we have borne the image of the man formed from dust, so shall we also bear the likeness of the heavenly one.

⁵⁰ Where, O Death, Is Your Victory?^[ao] What I am asserting, brethren, is that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor can the perishable inherit what is imperishable.

⁵¹ Listen while I tell you a mystery. We shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed ⁵² in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.^{[ap] 53} For this perishable body must be clothed with the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

⁵⁴ When this perishable body puts on imperishability, and this mortal body puts on immortality, then will the words that are written be fulfilled:

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, stand firm and immovable, devoting yourselves completely to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

VIII: Final Recommendations and Greetings^[aq]

Chapter 16

The Collection. ¹ Now in regard to the collection for the saints,^[ar] you should follow the instructions I gave to the churches of Galatia. ² On the first day of every week,^[as] each of you should set aside and save whatever you can spare, so that when I come to you, no collections will have to be taken. ³ And when I arrive, I shall send those who have been approved by you with letters of recommendation to deliver your gift to Jerusalem. ⁴ If it seems advisable that I should also go, they will accompany me.

Paul’s Plans. ⁵ I shall come to visit you after passing through Macedonia—for I am going to pass through Macedonia. ⁶ I may stay for some time with you, perhaps even for the entire winter, and then you can send me forth on my journey, wherever I may be going. ⁷ I do not want to see you now in passing. If the Lord permits, I hope to spend some time with you. ⁸ However, I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost, ⁹ because a wide door for productive work has been opened for me, although there are also many adversaries to face.

¹⁰ News of Other Missionaries. If Timothy comes, put him at ease, for he is doing the work of the Lord just as I am. ¹¹ Therefore, let no one treat him with disdain. Rather, send him on his way in peace when he leaves you to come to me, for the brethren and I are expecting him.

¹² As for our brother Apollos, I urged him strongly to visit you with the others, but he was determined not to go at this particular time. He will come to you when he has the opportunity.

¹³ Keep alert; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. ¹⁴ Everything that you do should be done in love.

¹⁵ As you know, brethren, the members of the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. ¹⁶ I urge you to put yourselves at the service of such people and of all those who work and toil with them.

¹⁷ I was delighted at the arrival of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence. ¹⁸ For they have raised my spirits as well as yours. Such men deserve recognition.

¹⁹ Salutations and Best Wishes. The Churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca greet you warmly in the Lord, together with the Church that meets in their house. ²⁰ All the brethren send their greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

²¹ I, Paul, have written this greeting with my own hand. ²² If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed.^[at] O Lord, come! ²³ The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. ²⁴ My love to you all in Christ Jesus.