Greeting

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

Divisions in the Church

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.

For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth.

Proclaiming Christ Crucified

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom.

Divisions in the Church

But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.

I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.

But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.

I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers,

but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?

But you yourselves wrong and defraud—even your own brothers!

To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

But if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. In such cases the brother or sister is not enslaved. God has called you to peace.

So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

This is what I mean, brothers: the appointed time has grown very short. From now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none,

And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died.

Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.

Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.

Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?

Warning Against Idolatry

For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,

So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—

Spiritual Gifts

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.

Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

Orderly Worship

What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

The Resurrection of Christ

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,

Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!

Mystery and Victory

I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

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

So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

Final Instructions

Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

Now I urge you, brothers—you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints—

All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.