Book of Common Prayer

¹⁴ For the natural man does not perceive the things of the Spirit of God. For they are but foolishness to him. Nor can he perceive them, because they are spiritually examined. ¹⁵ But he who is spiritual evaluates all things. Yet he himself is judged by no man. ¹⁶ For who knows the mind of the Lord, or who shall inform him? But we understand the mind of Christ.

Paul rebukes the sects, and authors of sects. Christ is the foundation of his church. We must take heed how we build on this foundation. No one ought to glory in men, but in God.

3 And I could not speak to you brethren as to spiritual people, but as to carnal; even, as it were, to babes in Christ. ² I gave you milk to drink, and not meat. For you were not strong then, no, neither are you yet. ³ For you are yet carnal. For as long as there is among you envying, strife, and dissension, are you not carnal, and walking after the manner of men? ⁴ As long as one says, I hold to Paul, and another, I’m for Apollos, are you not carnal? ⁵ What is Paul? What is Apollos? Only ministers they are, by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave grace to each one. ⁶ I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. ⁷ So then, neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. ⁸ He who plants and he who waters are neither better than the other. Each will receive his reward according to his labours.

⁹ We are God’s labourers. You are God’s husbandry, you are God’s building. ¹⁰ By the grace of God given to me, as a wise builder I have laid the foundation, and another built on it. But let everyone take heed how he builds upon it. ¹¹ For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² And whether anyone builds on this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble, ¹³ his work will be seen for what it is. For the day will reveal it, and it will be shown in fire. And the fire shall try every person’s work, what it is. ¹⁴ If what someone has built remains, he will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If anyone’s work burns, he will suffer loss; but he will be saved himself, nevertheless yet as it were through fire.

In this chapter and the two next following is contained the most excellent and loving sermon of Christ in the Mount, which sermon is the very key that opens the understanding into the law. In this fifth chapter especially, he preaches of the 8 beatitudes, or blessings; of manslaughter, wrath, and anger; of adultery, of swearing, of suffering wrong; and of love, even toward a person’s enemies.

5 When Jesus saw the crowds of people, he went up into a mountain. And when he was seated, his disciples came to him. ² And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying: