Just look at your own calling, believers; not many [of you were considered] wise according to human standards, not many powerful or influential, not many of high and noble birth.

For even if you were to have ten thousand teachers [to guide you] in Christ, yet you would not have many fathers [who led you to Christ and assumed responsibility for you], for I became your father in Christ Jesus through the good news [of salvation].

For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords,

just as I please everyone in all things [as much as possible adapting myself to the interests of others], not seeking my own benefit but that of the many, so that they [will be open to the message of salvation and] may be saved.

That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason why many among you are weak and sick, and a number sleep [in death].

For just as the body is one and yet has many parts, and all the parts, though many, form [only] one body, so it is with Christ.

For the [human] body does not consist of one part, but of many [limbs and organs].

But now [as things really are] there are many parts [different limbs and organs], but a single body.

There are, I suppose, a great many kinds of languages in the world [unknown to us], and none is lacking in meaning.

because a wide door for effective service has opened to me [in Ephesus, a very promising opportunity], and there are many adversaries.