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A Church Divided Over Leaders
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.
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My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.
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You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?
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I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.
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Paul’s Appeal and Warning
I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.
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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.
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For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. As one who is present with you in this way, I have already passed judgment in the name of our Lord Jesus on the one who has been doing this.
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So when you are assembled and I am with you in spirit, and the power of our Lord Jesus is present,
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But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.
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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?
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I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?
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I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that.
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I am saying this for your own good, not to restrict you, but that you may live in a right way in undivided devotion to the Lord.
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Paul’s Rights as an Apostle
Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?
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Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
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If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?
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But I have not used any of these rights. 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.
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For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
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If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward; if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.
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Paul’s Use of His Freedom
Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
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To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.
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To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.
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I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another’s conscience?
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If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?
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even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.
