What soldier ever goes to war at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of its grapes? Who shepherds a flock and does not drink any of the milk the flock produces?

Isn't he really speaking for our benefit? Yes, this was written for our benefit, because the one who plows should plow in hope, and the one who threshes should thresh in hope of sharing in the crop.

If it was we who sowed the spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap material benefits from you?

Do you not know that those who do the work about the temple get their living from the temple, and those who constantly attend on the altar share its offerings?

Just so the Lord has issued orders that those who preach the good news shall get their living out of it.

And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; that is, to those, who are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain those who are under the law:

to men who have no written law, like one without any law, though I am not without God's law but specially under Christ's law, to win the men who have no written law.

To the feeble, I was as one who is feeble, so that they might have salvation: I have been all things to all men, so that some at least might have salvation.

Know you not that those who run in the race all indeed run, but one takes the prize. So run that you may obtain.

Any man who enters an athletic contest practices rigid self-control in training, only to win a wreath that withers, but we are in to win a wreath that never withers.

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly, and so strike, not as one who beats the air;

No, I bruise my body and make it my slave, lest I, who have called others to the contest, should myself be rejected.

Now I do not want you to be ignorant, brothers, of the fact that all of our ancestors who left Egypt were under the cloud. They all went through the sea,

But these things became our examples, for us not to be men who lust for evil things as those also lusted.

Again, let us not give way to the desires of the flesh, as some of them did, of whom twenty-three thousand came to their end in one day.

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

So the man who thinks he stands securely must be on the lookout not to fall.

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body, because all of us eat from the same loaf.

Look at the Israelites in their practices. Are not those who eat the sacrifices in spiritual fellowship with the altar?

No; what I say is that the sacrifices offered by the Gentiles 'are offered to demons and to a Being who is no God,' and I do not want you to share with demons.

And if any one of those, who do not believe, invite you, and ye incline to go, eat every thing set before you, asking no question for conscience sake.

But if someone says to you, "This meat has been offered as a heathen sacrifice," make it your rule not to eat it, for the sake of the man who warned you and for conscience' sake;

Any man who prays or preaches with anything on his head dishonors his head,

and any woman who prays or prophesies bareheaded dishonors her head, for it is one and the same thing with having her head shaved.

For it is not man who was made from woman, but woman was made from man.

This [i.e., the order of creation] is the reason that the woman should have [a symbol of] authority on her [physical] head [i.e., hair or a shawl to indicate subjection to her husband], and because of the angels. [Note: This difficult phrase probably means that angels, who observe the activities of Christian assemblies, are pleased when they see things being done in their proper order].

For there must be even heresies among you, that they who are approved may be made manifest among you.

It is not that you have no houses to eat and drink in, is it? Or, are you trying to show your contempt for the church of God and trying to humiliate those who have no houses? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? No, I cannot praise you for this.

Hence anyone who eats the bread or drinks from the Lord's cup in a way that is unworthy of it will be guilty of profaning the body and the blood of the Lord.

for he who is eating and drinking unworthily, judgment to himself he doth eat and drink -- not discerning the body of the Lord.

Now concerning those who are spiritual, my brethren, I would not have you be mistaken.

Therefore, I must tell you that no one who is speaking under the influence of the Spirit of God ever says, "Curse Jesus!" and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord!" without being under the influence of the holy Spirit.

and forms of service vary, but it is the same Lord who is served,

and activities vary, but God who produces them all in us all is the same.

All these things [the gifts, the achievements, the abilities, the empowering] are brought about by one and the same [Holy] Spirit, distributing to each one individually just as He chooses.

But it was God who built up the body, and bestowed more abundant honor on the part that felt the need,

God has appointed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then those who perform miracles, those who have gifts of healing, those who help others, administrators, and those who speak various kinds of languages.

For anyone who speaks ecstatically is speaking not to men but to God, for no one can understand him, though he is uttering secret truths.

and he who is prophesying to men doth speak edification, and exhortation, and comfort;

Anyone who speaks ecstatically does himself good, but the inspired preacher does a congregation good.

I want you all to speak ecstatically, but I especially want you to be inspired to preach. The man who is inspired to preach is more useful than the one who speaks ecstatically??nless he can explain what he says so that it may do the church some good.

Even things without life, having a voice, such as a music-pipe or other instrument, if they do not give out different sounds, who may be certain what is being played?

And also if the trumpet give an uncertain voice, who shall prepare himself to fight?

So if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall seem to the man who is speaking to be a foreigner, and he will seem to me to be one too.

Therefore, the man who can speak ecstatically should pray for the power to explain what he says.

how is the man who occupies the place of the illiterate to say "Amen" to your thanksgiving? For he does not know what you are saying.

In the law it is written: "By those who speak a foreign language and by the lips of others I will speak to this people, and not even in this way will they obey me," says the Lord.

So this ecstatic speaking is meant as a sign not to those who believe but to unbelievers, but inspired preaching is a sign not to unbelievers but to those who believe.

Therefore, if the whole church assembles together and all are speaking in other languages and people who are uninformed or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

But, if, all, be prophesying, - and there come in one who is unbelieving or unskilled, he is convicted by all, he is searched by all, the secrets of his heart, become manifest,

What then, brethren? Whenever you assemble, there is not one of you who is not ready either with a song of praise, a sermon, a revelation, a 'tongue,' or an interpretation. Let everything be done with a view to the building up of faith and character.

And let two or three who are inspired to preach speak, while the rest weigh what is said;

and if anything is revealed to another who is seated, the one who is speaking must stop.

For all of you [i.e., who have the gifts], can prophesy, one at a time, so that all of you may learn and be encouraged.

for God [who is the source of their prophesying] is not a God of confusion and disorder but of peace and order.As [is the practice] in all the churches of the saints (God’s people),

Did the message of God originate from you [i.e., the church in Corinth]? Or, were you people the only ones who received it?

If anyone does not recognize this [that it is a command of the Lord], he is not recognized [by God].

After that he was seen by more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, although some of them have fallen asleep.

And last of all he was seen also by me, who am but as an abortion.

for I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy to be called an apostle, because I did persecute the assembly of God,

If then it is I who am the preacher, or they, this is our word, and to this you have given your faith.

Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God. For we have testified of God how that he raised up Christ, whom he raised not up, if it be so that the dead rise not up again.

Yes, and those who have fallen asleep in trust in Christ have perished.

If we who are [abiding] in Christ have hoped only in this life [and this is all there is], then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied.

But the truth is, Christ was raised from the dead, the first to be raised of those who have fallen asleep.

But each in his own turn; Christ first, and then at Christ's coming those who belong to him.

Then the end, when he gives up the kingdom to him who is God and Father; when he shall have annulled all rule and all authority and power.

For his rule will go on till he has put all those who are against him under his feet.

for everything is to be reduced to subjection and put under Christ's feet. But when it says that everything is subject to him, he is evidently excepted who reduced it all to subjection to him.

And when everything is reduced to subjection to him, then the Son himself will also become subject to him who has reduced everything to subjection to him, so that God may be everything to everyone.

Otherwise, what do those people mean who submit to being baptized on behalf of their dead? If the dead are never raised at all, why do they submit to being baptized on their behalf?

Awake to a righteous life, and cease to sin. There are some who have no true knowledge of God. I speak in this way to shame you.

So, it is also written [Gen. 2:7], "The first man, Adam, became a living being." The last Adam [i.e., Christ], became the Spirit who gives [never ending] life. [See John 5:21].

Those who are of the earth are like him who was of the earth, and those who are of heaven are like him who is from heaven,

and as we have reflected the likeness of him who was made of dust, let us also reflect the likeness of the Man from heaven.

For this body which comes to destruction will be made free from the power of death, and the man who is under the power of death will put on eternal life.

and to God -- thanks, to Him who is giving us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ;

Now concerning the collection for the [needy] saints [whom you wrote me about]: You people also should do what I directed the churches in Galatia to do.

When I get there, I will send on, with credentials, the persons whom you approve, to carry your gift of charity to Jerusalem.

For a great and effective door has opened to me, and yet there are many who are hostile.

As for our brother Apollos, I have repeatedly urged him to accompany the brethren who are coming to you: but he is quite resolved not to do so at present. He will come, however, when he has a good opportunity.

Now I urge you, brothers??ou know that the family of Stephanas was the first to be converted in Greece, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of God's people??16 I want you to enlist under such leaders, and under anyone who joins with you and works hard.

I beg you to put yourselves under leaders like these, and under anyone who cooperates with you, and labors hard.

for they did refresh my spirit and yours; acknowledge ye, therefore, those who are such.

A curse upon anyone who has no love for the Lord. Lord, come quickly!

My love to all of you who are in union with Christ Jesus.