10 (A)According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid (B)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 (C)that which is laid, (D)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 (E)will declare it, because (F)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 (G)Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 17 If anyone [a]defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

Avoid Worldly Wisdom

18 (H)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, (I)“He catches the wise in their own craftiness”; 20 and again, (J)“The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 21 Therefore let no one boast in men. For (K)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 (L)you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s.

Stewards of the Mysteries of God

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

Fools for Christ’s Sake

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 [d]puffed up on behalf of one against the other. For who [e]makes you differ from another? And (S)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?

You are already full! (T)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! For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a (U)spectacle [f]to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are (V)fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! (W)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 (X)And we labor, working with our own hands. (Y)Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we [g]entreat. (Z)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 (AA)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 (AB)in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, (AC)imitate me. 17 For this reason I have sent (AD)Timothy to you, (AE)who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will (AF)remind you of my ways in Christ, as I (AG)teach everywhere (AH)in every church.

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

Immorality Defiles the Church

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even [i]named among the Gentiles—that a man has his father’s (AO)wife! (AP)And you are [j]puffed up, and have not rather (AQ)mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you. (AR)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. In the (AS)name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, (AT)with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, (AU)deliver such a one to (AV)Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord [k]Jesus.

(AW)Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that (AX)a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Therefore [l]purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed (AY)Christ, our (AZ)Passover, was sacrificed [m]for us. Therefore (BA)let us keep the feast, (BB)not with old leaven, nor (BC)with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Immorality Must Be Judged

I wrote to you in my epistle (BD)not to [n]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 (BE)out of the world. 11 But now I have written to you not to keep company (BF)with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—(BG)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 (BH)“put away from yourselves the evil person.”

Do Not Sue the Brethren

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the (BI)saints? Do you not know that (BJ)the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall (BK)judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If then you have [o]judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? 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? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!

Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. (BL)Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren! Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. (BM)Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor [p]homosexuals, nor [q]sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were (BN)some of you. (BO)But you were washed, but you were [r]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 (BP)All things are lawful for me, but all things are not [s]helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of [t]any. 13 (BQ)Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for (BR)sexual immorality but (BS)for the Lord, (BT)and the Lord for the body. 14 And (BU)God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up (BV)by His power.

15 Do you not know that (BW)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 (BX)“the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 (BY)But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

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

Principles of Marriage

Now concerning the things of which you wrote to me:

(CE)It is good for a man not to touch a woman. Nevertheless, because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband. (CF)Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. 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. (CG)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 (CH)Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control. But I say this as a concession, (CI)not as a commandment. For (CJ)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.

But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: (CK)It is good for them if they remain even as I am; but (CL)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 (CM)Lord: (CN)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 (CO)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 (CP)to peace. 16 For how do you know, O wife, whether you will (CQ)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 (CR)so I [v]ordain in all the churches. 18 Was anyone called while circumcised? Let him not become uncircumcised. Was anyone called while uncircumcised? (CS)Let him not be circumcised. 19 (CT)Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but (CU)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 (CV)the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is (CW)Christ’s slave. 23 (CX)You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with (CY)God in that state in which he was called.

To the Unmarried and Widows

25 Now concerning virgins: (CZ)I have no commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one (DA)whom the Lord in His mercy has made (DB)trustworthy. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—(DC)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 (DD)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 (DE)misusing it. For (DF)the form of this world is passing away.

32 But I want you to be without [w]care. (DG)He who is unmarried [x]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 (DH)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 [y]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 [z]virgin, does well. 38 (DI)So then he who gives [aa]her in marriage does well, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.

39 (DJ)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, (DK)only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she remains as she is, (DL)according to my judgment—and (DM)I think I also have the Spirit of God.

Be Sensitive to Conscience

Now (DN)concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have (DO)knowledge. (DP)Knowledge [ab]puffs up, but love [ac]edifies. And (DQ)if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.

Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that (DR)an idol is nothing in the world, (DS)and that there is no other God but one. For even if there are (DT)so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), yet (DU)for us there is one God, the Father, (DV)of whom are all things, and we for Him; and (DW)one Lord Jesus Christ, (DX)through whom are all things, and (DY)through whom we live.

However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, (DZ)with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is (EA)defiled. But (EB)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.

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

A Pattern of Self-Denial

Am (EI)I not an apostle? Am I not free? (EJ)Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? (EK)Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are (EL)the [ae]seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

My defense to those who examine me is this: (EM)Do we have no [af]right to eat and drink? Do we have no right to take along [ag]a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, (EN)the brothers of the Lord, and (EO)Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I (EP)who have no right to refrain from working? Who ever (EQ)goes to war at his own expense? Who (ER)plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who (ES)tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, (ET)“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 (EU)he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 (EV)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?

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

15 But (FC)I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for (FD)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 (FE)necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, (FF)I have a reward; but if against my will, (FG)I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That (FH)when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel [ah]of Christ without charge, that I (FI)may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

Serving All Men

19 For though I am (FJ)free from all men, (FK)I have made myself a servant to all, (FL)that I might win the more; 20 and (FM)to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the [ai]law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 (FN)to (FO)those who are without law, as without law (FP)(not being without [aj]law toward God, but under [ak]law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 (FQ)to the weak I became [al]as weak, that I might win the weak. (FR)I have become all things to all men, (FS)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? (FT)Run in such a way that you may [am]obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize [an]is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for (FU)an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: (FV)not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 (FW)But I discipline my body and (FX)bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become (FY)disqualified.

Old Testament Examples

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

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as (GE)they also lusted. (GF)And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, (GG)“The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” (GH)Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as (GI)some of them did, and (GJ)in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us [ao]tempt Christ, as (GK)some of them also tempted, and (GL)were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as (GM)some of them also complained, and (GN)were destroyed by (GO)the destroyer. 11 Now [ap]all these things happened to them as examples, and (GP)they were written for our [aq]admonition, (GQ)upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore (GR)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 (GS)God is faithful, (GT)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 [ar]bear it.

Flee from Idolatry

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

18 Observe (GZ)Israel (HA)after the flesh: (HB)Are not those who eat of the sacrifices [at]partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? (HC)That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles (HD)sacrifice (HE)they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 (HF)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and (HG)the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the (HH)Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we (HI)provoke the Lord to jealousy? (HJ)Are we stronger than He?

All to the Glory of God(HK)

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

25 (HN)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for (HO)“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, (HP)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 (HQ)for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; [aw]for (HR)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For (HS)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 (HT)over which I give thanks?

31 (HU)Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (HV)Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just (HW)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(HX) me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Head Coverings

Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to know that (HY)the head of every man is Christ, (HZ)the head of woman is man, and (IA)the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or (IB)prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. 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 (IC)shaved. For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is (ID)shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since (IE)he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman (IF)from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman (IG)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, (IH)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 [ax]to her for a covering. 16 But (II)if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, (IJ)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, (IK)I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For (IL)there must also be factions among you, (IM)that those who are approved may be [ay]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 (IN)another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise (IO)the church of God and (IP)shame [az]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(IQ)

23 For (IR)I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: (IS)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, [ba]“Take, eat; this is My body which is [bb]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 (IT)till He comes.

Examine Yourself

27 Therefore whoever eats (IU)this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and [bc]blood of the Lord. 28 But (IV)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 [bd]in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the [be]Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many [bf]sleep. 31 For (IW)if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, (IX)we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

33 Therefore, my brethren, when you (IY)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 (IZ)concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know (JA)that[bg] you were Gentiles, carried away to these (JB)dumb[bh] idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus [bi]accursed, and (JC)no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

(JD)There are [bj]diversities of gifts, but (JE)the same Spirit. (JF)There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God (JG)who works [bk]all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given (JH)the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another (JI)the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, (JJ)to another faith by the same Spirit, to another (JK)gifts of healings by [bl]the same Spirit, 10 (JL)to another the working of miracles, to another (JM)prophecy, to another (JN)discerning of spirits, to another (JO)different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, (JP)distributing to each one individually (JQ)as He wills.

Unity and Diversity in One Body(JR)

12 For (JS)as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, (JT)so also is Christ. 13 For (JU)by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—(JV)whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and (JW)have all been made to drink [bm]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 (JX)God has set the members, each one of them, in the body (JY)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 [bn]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 (JZ)you are the body of Christ, and (KA)members individually. 28 And (KB)God has appointed these in the church: first (KC)apostles, second (KD)prophets, third teachers, after that (KE)miracles, then (KF)gifts of healings, (KG)helps, (KH)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 (KI)earnestly desire the [bo]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. And though I have the gift of (KJ)prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, (KK)so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And (KL)though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body [bp]to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

(KM)Love suffers long and is (KN)kind; love (KO)does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not [bq]puffed up; does not behave rudely, (KP)does not seek its own, is not provoked, [br]thinks no evil; (KQ)does not rejoice in iniquity, but (KR)rejoices in the truth; (KS)bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

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. (KT)For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is [bs]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 (KU)now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then (KV)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 (KW)desire spiritual gifts, (KX)but especially that you may prophesy. For he who (KY)speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries. But he who prophesies speaks (KZ)edification and (LA)exhortation and comfort to men. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; [bt]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

But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by (LB)revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching? 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? For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle? 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 [bu]significance. 11 Therefore, if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a [bv]foreigner to him who speaks, and he who speaks will be a foreigner to me. 12 Even so you, since you are [bw]zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the [bx]edification of the church that you seek to excel.

13 Therefore let him who speaks in a tongue pray that he may (LC)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. (LD)I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing (LE)with the understanding. 16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how will he who occupies the place of the uninformed say “Amen” (LF)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, (LG)do not be children in understanding; however, in malice (LH)be babes, but in understanding be mature.

21 (LI)In the law it is written:

(LJ)“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 (LK)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, (LL)will they not say that you are [by]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 [bz]And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report (LM)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, (LN)has a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. (LO)Let all things be done for [ca]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 (LP)let the others judge. 30 But if anything is revealed to another who sits by, (LQ)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 (LR)the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is not the author of [cb]confusion but of peace, (LS)as in all the churches of the saints.

34 (LT)Let [cc]your women keep silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak; but they are to be submissive, as the (LU)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 (LV)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 [cd]if anyone is ignorant, let him be ignorant.

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

The Risen Christ, Faith’s Reality(LY)

15 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel (LZ)which I preached to you, which also you received and (MA)in which you stand, (MB)by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless (MC)you believed in vain.

For (MD)I delivered to you first of all that (ME)which I also received: that Christ died for our sins (MF)according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day (MG)according to the Scriptures, (MH)and that He was seen by [ce]Cephas, then (MI)by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have [cf]fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then (MJ)by all the apostles. (MK)Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.

For I am (ML)the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because (MM)I persecuted the church of God. 10 But (MN)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, (MO)yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 3:17 destroys
  2. 1 Corinthians 4:3 Lit. day
  3. 1 Corinthians 4:5 motives
  4. 1 Corinthians 4:6 arrogant
  5. 1 Corinthians 4:7 distinguishes you
  6. 1 Corinthians 4:9 Lit. theater
  7. 1 Corinthians 4:13 exhort, encourage
  8. 1 Corinthians 4:18 arrogant
  9. 1 Corinthians 5:1 NU omits named
  10. 1 Corinthians 5:2 arrogant
  11. 1 Corinthians 5:5 NU omits Jesus
  12. 1 Corinthians 5:7 clean out
  13. 1 Corinthians 5:7 NU omits for us
  14. 1 Corinthians 5:9 associate
  15. 1 Corinthians 6:4 courts
  16. 1 Corinthians 6:9 catamites, those submitting to homosexuals
  17. 1 Corinthians 6:9 male homosexuals
  18. 1 Corinthians 6:11 set apart
  19. 1 Corinthians 6:12 profitable
  20. 1 Corinthians 6:12 Or anything
  21. 1 Corinthians 6:20 NU omits the rest of v. 20.
  22. 1 Corinthians 7:17 direct
  23. 1 Corinthians 7:32 concern
  24. 1 Corinthians 7:32 is concerned about
  25. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or virgin daughter
  26. 1 Corinthians 7:37 Or virgin daughter
  27. 1 Corinthians 7:38 NU his own virgin
  28. 1 Corinthians 8:1 makes arrogant
  29. 1 Corinthians 8:1 builds up
  30. 1 Corinthians 8:9 cause of offense
  31. 1 Corinthians 9:2 certification
  32. 1 Corinthians 9:4 authority
  33. 1 Corinthians 9:5 Lit. a sister, a wife
  34. 1 Corinthians 9:18 NU omits of Christ
  35. 1 Corinthians 9:20 NU adds though not being myself under the law
  36. 1 Corinthians 9:21 NU God’s law
  37. 1 Corinthians 9:21 NU Christ’s law
  38. 1 Corinthians 9:22 NU omits as
  39. 1 Corinthians 9:24 win
  40. 1 Corinthians 9:25 exercises self-control
  41. 1 Corinthians 10:9 test
  42. 1 Corinthians 10:11 NU omits all
  43. 1 Corinthians 10:11 instruction
  44. 1 Corinthians 10:13 endure
  45. 1 Corinthians 10:16 fellowship or sharing
  46. 1 Corinthians 10:18 fellowshippers or sharers
  47. 1 Corinthians 10:23 NU omits for me
  48. 1 Corinthians 10:23 build up
  49. 1 Corinthians 10:28 NU omits the rest of v. 28.
  50. 1 Corinthians 11:15 M omits to her
  51. 1 Corinthians 11:19 Lit. manifest, evident
  52. 1 Corinthians 11:22 The poor
  53. 1 Corinthians 11:24 NU omits Take, eat
  54. 1 Corinthians 11:24 NU omits broken
  55. 1 Corinthians 11:27 NU, M the blood
  56. 1 Corinthians 11:29 NU omits in an unworthy manner
  57. 1 Corinthians 11:29 NU omits Lord’s
  58. 1 Corinthians 11:30 Are dead
  59. 1 Corinthians 12:2 NU, M that when
  60. 1 Corinthians 12:2 mute, silent
  61. 1 Corinthians 12:3 Gr. anathema
  62. 1 Corinthians 12:4 allotments or various kinds
  63. 1 Corinthians 12:6 all things in
  64. 1 Corinthians 12:9 NU one
  65. 1 Corinthians 12:13 NU omits into
  66. 1 Corinthians 12:25 division
  67. 1 Corinthians 12:31 NU greater
  68. 1 Corinthians 13:3 NU so I may boast
  69. 1 Corinthians 13:4 arrogant
  70. 1 Corinthians 13:5 keeps no accounts of evil
  71. 1 Corinthians 13:10 complete
  72. 1 Corinthians 14:5 NU and
  73. 1 Corinthians 14:10 meaning
  74. 1 Corinthians 14:11 Lit. barbarian
  75. 1 Corinthians 14:12 eager
  76. 1 Corinthians 14:12 building up
  77. 1 Corinthians 14:23 insane
  78. 1 Corinthians 14:25 NU omits And thus
  79. 1 Corinthians 14:26 building up
  80. 1 Corinthians 14:33 disorder
  81. 1 Corinthians 14:34 NU omits your
  82. 1 Corinthians 14:38 NU if anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.
  83. 1 Corinthians 15:5 Peter
  84. 1 Corinthians 15:6 Died

10 By the grace God has given me,(A) I laid a foundation(B) 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.(C) 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,(D) because the Day(E) will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.(F) 14 If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward.(G) 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.(H)

16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple(I) and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?(J) 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(K) by the standards of this age,(L) you should become “fools” so that you may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness(M) in God’s sight. As it is written: “He catches the wise in their craftiness”[a];(N) 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”[b](O) 21 So then, no more boasting about human leaders!(P) All things are yours,(Q) 22 whether Paul or Apollos(R) or Cephas[c](S) or the world or life or death or the present or the future(T)—all are yours, 23 and you are of Christ,(U) and Christ is of God.

The Nature of True Apostleship

This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants(V) of Christ and as those entrusted(W) with the mysteries(X) 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(Y) is clear, but that does not make me innocent.(Z) It is the Lord who judges me.(AA) Therefore judge nothing(AB) before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes.(AC) He will bring to light(AD) what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.(AE)

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.”(AF) Then you will not be puffed up in being a follower of one of us over against the other.(AG) For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive?(AH) 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!(AI) 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(AJ) in the arena. We have been made a spectacle(AK) to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. 10 We are fools for Christ,(AL) but you are so wise in Christ!(AM) We are weak, but you are strong!(AN) 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.(AO) 12 We work hard with our own hands.(AP) When we are cursed, we bless;(AQ) when we are persecuted,(AR) we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage(AS) of the world—right up to this moment.

Paul’s Appeal and Warning

14 I am writing this not to shame you(AT) but to warn you as my dear children.(AU) 15 Even if you had ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers, for in Christ Jesus I became your father(AV) through the gospel.(AW) 16 Therefore I urge you to imitate me.(AX) 17 For this reason I have sent to you(AY) Timothy,(AZ) my son(BA) 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.(BB)

18 Some of you have become arrogant,(BC) as if I were not coming to you.(BD) 19 But I will come to you very soon,(BE) if the Lord is willing,(BF) 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(BG) talk but of power.(BH) 21 What do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod of discipline,(BI) or shall I come in love and with a gentle spirit?

Dealing With a Case of Incest

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife.(BJ) And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning(BK) and have put out of your fellowship(BL) the man who has been doing this? For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit.(BM) As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus(BN) on the one who has been doing this. So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present, hand this man over(BO) to Satan(BP) for the destruction of the flesh,[d][e] so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord.(BQ)

Your boasting is not good.(BR) Don’t you know that a little yeast(BS) leavens the whole batch of dough?(BT) Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.(BU) Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread(BV) of sincerity and truth.

I wrote to you in my letter not to associate(BW) with sexually immoral people— 10 not at all meaning the people of this world(BX) who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world. 11 But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister[f](BY) but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater(BZ) or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.(CA)

12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside(CB) the church? Are you not to judge those inside?(CC) 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”[g](CD)

Lawsuits Among Believers

If any of you has a dispute with another, do you dare to take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the Lord’s people?(CE) Or do you not know that the Lord’s people will judge the world?(CF) And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? I say this to shame you.(CG) Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?(CH) But instead, one brother(CI) takes another to court—and this in front of unbelievers!(CJ)

The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?(CK) Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers and sisters.(CL) Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God?(CM) Do not be deceived:(CN) Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers(CO) nor men who have sex with men[h](CP) 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers(CQ) will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were.(CR) But you were washed,(CS) you were sanctified,(CT) you were justified(CU) in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Sexual Immorality

12 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(CV) “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.”(CW) The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord,(CX) and the Lord for the body. 14 By his power God raised the Lord from the dead,(CY) and he will raise us also.(CZ) 15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself?(DA) Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh.”[i](DB) 17 But whoever is united with the Lord is one with him in spirit.[j](DC)

18 Flee from sexual immorality.(DD) All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.(DE) 19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples(DF) of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;(DG) 20 you were bought at a price.(DH) Therefore honor God with your bodies.(DI)

Concerning Married Life

Now for the matters you wrote about: “It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman.”(DJ) But since sexual immorality is occurring, each man should have sexual relations with his own wife, and each woman with her own husband. The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife,(DK) and likewise the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body but yields it to her husband. In the same way, the husband does not have authority over his own body but yields it to his wife. Do not deprive each other except perhaps by mutual consent and for a time,(DL) so that you may devote yourselves to prayer. Then come together again so that Satan(DM) will not tempt you(DN) because of your lack of self-control. I say this as a concession, not as a command.(DO) I wish that all of you were as I am.(DP) But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.(DQ)

Now to the unmarried[k] and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.(DR) But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry,(DS) for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.

10 To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband.(DT) 11 But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband.(DU) And a husband must not divorce his wife.

12 To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord):(DV) If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. 13 And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.(DW)

15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.(DX) 16 How do you know, wife, whether you will save(DY) your husband?(DZ) Or, how do you know, husband, whether you will save your wife?

Concerning Change of Status

17 Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.(EA) This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.(EB) 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? He should not become uncircumcised. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? He should not be circumcised.(EC) 19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing.(ED) Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.(EE)

21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. 22 For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person;(EF) similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave.(EG) 23 You were bought at a price;(EH) do not become slaves of human beings. 24 Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.(EI)

Concerning the Unmarried

25 Now about virgins: I have no command from the Lord,(EJ) but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy(EK) is trustworthy. 26 Because of the present crisis, I think that it is good for a man to remain as he is.(EL) 27 Are you pledged to a woman? Do not seek to be released. Are you free from such a commitment? Do not look for a wife.(EM) 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned;(EN) and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.

29 What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short.(EO) From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30 those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.(EP)

32 I would like you to be free from concern. An unmarried man is concerned about the Lord’s affairs(EQ)—how he can please the Lord. 33 But a married man is concerned about the affairs of this world—how he can please his wife— 34 and his interests are divided. An unmarried woman or virgin is concerned about the Lord’s affairs: Her aim is to be devoted to the Lord in both body and spirit.(ER) But a married woman is concerned about the affairs of this world—how she can please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided(ES) devotion to the Lord.

36 If anyone is worried that he might not be acting honorably toward the virgin he is engaged to, and if his passions are too strong[l] and he feels he ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning.(ET) They should get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind not to marry the virgin—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who marries the virgin does right,(EU) but he who does not marry her does better.[m]

39 A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives.(EV) But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.(EW) 40 In my judgment,(EX) she is happier if she stays as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

Concerning Food Sacrificed to Idols

Now about food sacrificed to idols:(EY) We know that “We all possess knowledge.”(EZ) But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Those who think they know something(FA) do not yet know as they ought to know.(FB) But whoever loves God is known by God.[n](FC)

So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols:(FD) We know that “An idol is nothing at all in the world”(FE) and that “There is no God but one.”(FF) For even if there are so-called gods,(FG) whether in heaven or on earth (as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords”), yet for us there is but one God,(FH) the Father,(FI) from whom all things came(FJ) and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord,(FK) Jesus Christ, through whom all things came(FL) and through whom we live.

But not everyone possesses this knowledge.(FM) Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat sacrificial food they think of it as having been sacrificed to a god, and since their conscience is weak,(FN) it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God;(FO) we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block(FP) to the weak.(FQ) 10 For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?(FR) 11 So this weak brother or sister, for whom Christ died, is destroyed(FS) by your knowledge. 12 When you sin against them(FT) in this way and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.(FU) 13 Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.(FV)

Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

Am I not free?(FW) Am I not an apostle?(FX) Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?(FY) Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?(FZ) Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal(GA) of my apostleship in the Lord.

This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don’t we have the right to food and drink?(GB) Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife(GC) along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers(GD) and Cephas[o]?(GE) Or is it only I and Barnabas(GF) who lack the right to not work for a living?

Who serves as a soldier(GG) at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard(GH) and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”[p](GI) Is it about oxen that God is concerned?(GJ) 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us,(GK) because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.(GL) 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?(GM) 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

But we did not use this right.(GN) On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder(GO) the gospel of Christ.

13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?(GP) 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.(GQ)

15 But I have not used any of these rights.(GR) And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.(GS) 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.(GT) Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;(GU) if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.(GV) 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,(GW) and so not make full use of my rights(GX) as a preacher of the gospel.

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

19 Though I am free(GY) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,(GZ) to win as many as possible.(HA) 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.(HB) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),(HC) so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(HD) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),(HE) so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.(HF) I have become all things to all people(HG) so that by all possible means I might save some.(HH) 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The Need for Self-Discipline

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?(HI) Run(HJ) in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown(HK) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.(HL) 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;(HM) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.(HN) 27 No, I strike a blow to my body(HO) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.(HP)

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant(HQ) of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud(HR) and that they all passed through the sea.(HS) They were all baptized into(HT) Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food(HU) and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock(HV) that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.(HW)

Now these things occurred as examples(HX) to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters,(HY) as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[q](HZ) We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.(IA) We should not test Christ,[r](IB) as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.(IC) 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did(ID)—and were killed(IE) by the destroying angel.(IF)

11 These things happened to them as examples(IG) and were written down as warnings for us,(IH) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.(II) 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,(IJ) be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[s] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;(IK) he will not let you be tempted[t] beyond what you can bear.(IL) But when you are tempted,[u] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper

14 Therefore, my dear friends,(IM) flee from idolatry.(IN) 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break(IO) a participation in the body of Christ?(IP) 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body,(IQ) for we all share the one loaf.

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices(IR) participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?(IS) 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,(IT) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.(IU) 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?(IV) Are we stronger than he?(IW)

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(IX) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.(IY)

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

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you(JB) without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.(JC) 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom(JD) being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?(JE)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(JF) 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,(JG) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God(JH) 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way.(JI) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,(JJ) so that they may be saved.(JK) 11 Follow my example,(JL) as I follow the example of Christ.(JM)

On Covering the Head in Worship

I praise you(JN) for remembering me in everything(JO) and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.(JP) But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ,(JQ) and the head of the woman is man,[w](JR) and the head of Christ is God.(JS) Every man who prays or prophesies(JT) with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies(JU) with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.(JV) For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

A man ought not to cover his head,[x] since he is the image(JW) and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;(JX) neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.(JY) 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own[y] head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.(JZ)

13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.(KA)

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

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you,(KC) for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions(KD) among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.(KE) 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers.(KF) As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God(KG) by humiliating those who have nothing?(KH) What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you?(KI) Certainly not in this matter!

23 For I received from the Lord(KJ) what I also passed on to you:(KK) The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body,(KL) which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant(KM) in my blood;(KN) do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.(KO)

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.(KP) 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves(KQ) before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.(KR) 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.(KS) 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined(KT) so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.(KU)

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

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

Concerning Spiritual Gifts

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit,(KY) brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.(KZ) You know that when you were pagans,(LA) somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.(LB) Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,”(LC) and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,”(LD) except by the Holy Spirit.(LE)

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit(LF) distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone(LG) it is the same God(LH) at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.(LI) To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom,(LJ) to another a message of knowledge(LK) by means of the same Spirit, to another faith(LL) by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing(LM) by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers,(LN) to another prophecy,(LO) to another distinguishing between spirits,(LP) to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[z](LQ) and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[aa] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit,(LR) and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Unity and Diversity in the Body

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body,(LS) so it is with Christ.(LT) 13 For we were all baptized(LU) by[ab] one Spirit(LV) so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free(LW)—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.(LX) 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.(LY)

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed(LZ) the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.(MA) 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.(MB)

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

27 Now you are the body of Christ,(MC) and each one of you is a part of it.(MD) 28 And God has placed in the church(ME) first of all apostles,(MF) second prophets,(MG) third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing,(MH) of helping, of guidance,(MI) and of different kinds of tongues.(MJ) 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[ac]?(MK) Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire(ML) the greater gifts.

Love Is Indispensable

And yet I will show you the most excellent way.

13 If I speak in the tongues[ad](MM) of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy(MN) and can fathom all mysteries(MO) and all knowledge,(MP) and if I have a faith(MQ) that can move mountains,(MR) but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor(MS) and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[ae](MT) but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient,(MU) love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.(MV)

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
  4. 1 Corinthians 5:5 In contexts like this, the Greek word for flesh (sarx) refers to the sinful state of human beings, often presented as a power in opposition to the Spirit.
  5. 1 Corinthians 5:5 Or of his body
  6. 1 Corinthians 5:11 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in 8:11, 13.
  7. 1 Corinthians 5:13 Deut. 13:5; 17:7; 19:19; 21:21; 22:21,24; 24:7
  8. 1 Corinthians 6:9 The words men who have sex with men translate two Greek words that refer to the passive and active participants in homosexual acts.
  9. 1 Corinthians 6:16 Gen. 2:24
  10. 1 Corinthians 6:17 Or in the Spirit
  11. 1 Corinthians 7:8 Or widowers
  12. 1 Corinthians 7:36 Or if she is getting beyond the usual age for marriage
  13. 1 Corinthians 7:38 Or 36 If anyone thinks he is not treating his daughter properly, and if she is getting along in years (or if her passions are too strong), and he feels she ought to marry, he should do as he wants. He is not sinning. He should let her get married. 37 But the man who has settled the matter in his own mind, who is under no compulsion but has control over his own will, and who has made up his mind to keep the virgin unmarried—this man also does the right thing. 38 So then, he who gives his virgin in marriage does right, but he who does not give her in marriage does better.
  14. 1 Corinthians 8:3 An early manuscript and another ancient witness think they have knowledge do not yet know as they ought to know. But whoever loves truly knows.
  15. 1 Corinthians 9:5 That is, Peter
  16. 1 Corinthians 9:9 Deut. 25:4
  17. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Exodus 32:6
  18. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts test the Lord
  19. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  20. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  21. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  22. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1
  23. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Or of the wife is her husband
  24. 1 Corinthians 11:7 Or Every man who prays or prophesies with long hair dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with no covering of hair dishonors her head—she is just like one of the “shorn women.” If a woman has no covering, let her be for now with short hair; but since it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair shorn or shaved, she should grow it again. A man ought not to have long hair
  25. 1 Corinthians 11:10 Or have a sign of authority on her
  26. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
  27. 1 Corinthians 12:10 Or languages; also in verse 28
  28. 1 Corinthians 12:13 Or with; or in
  29. 1 Corinthians 12:30 Or other languages
  30. 1 Corinthians 13:1 Or languages
  31. 1 Corinthians 13:3 Some manuscripts body to the flames