For Christ did not send me [as an apostle] to baptize, but [commissioned and empowered me] to preach the good news [of salvation]—not with clever and eloquent speech [as an orator], so that the cross of Christ would not be made ineffective [deprived of its saving power].

Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

While there exist among you jealousy and party feeling, is it not true that you are worldly, and are acting merely as other men do?

for though I am conscious to myself of nothing wrong, yet not by this am I cleared of blame; but he that judgeth me is the Lord.

For if ye should have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the glad tidings.

But I will come to you soon, if the Lord is willing, and I will find out not only the talk of these arrogant people, but also their power.

Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.

but now I write unto you that ye company not together. If any that is called a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or a worshipper of images, either a railer, either a drunkard, or an extortioner: with him that is such see that ye eat not.

For what business is it of mine to judge outsiders (non-believers)? Do you not judge those who are within the church [to protect the church as the situation requires]?

Is it not certain that the saints will be the judges of the world? if then the world will be judged by you, are you unable to give a decision about the smallest things?

Is it not certain that we are to be the judges of angels? how much more then of the things of this life?

This I say to your shame. Is there utterly no wise man among you? What, not one at all? That can judge between brother and brother?

Do you not know that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them the members of a harlot? Let it not be!

But to those already married my instructions are--yet not mine, but the Lord's--that a wife is not to leave her husband;

For the unbelieving husband is set apart [i.e., as an acceptable mate, although not yet saved. See verse 16], through his wife [i.e., her Christian commitment is viewed as having a godly effect on the home], and the unbelieving wife is set apart through the brother [i.e., for the same reason]. Otherwise, your children would be [considered] unclean. [Note: "Unclean" suggests they would be viewed as pagans were it not for one parent being a Christian]. But, as it is, they are set apart as acceptable [i.e., to God, because of the influence of the one Christian parent].

Hast thou been called being a bondman, let it not concern thee; but and if thou canst become free, use it rather.

And, they who use the world, as though they used it not to the full, - for the fashion of this world passeth away;

So that, he that giveth in marriage his own virginity, doeth, well; and, he that giveth it not, shall do, better.

But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

For if a man sees you, who have knowledge, taking food as a guest in the house of an image, will it not give him, if he is feeble, the idea that he may take food offered to images?

Either saith he it not altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he which eareth should ear in hope: and that he which thresheth in hope, should be partaker of his hope.

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ?

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

Does it not seem natural to you that if a man has long hair, it is a cause of shame to him?

If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not [a part] of the body," not because of this is it not [a part] of the body.

And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not [a part] of the body, not because of this is it not [a part] of the body.

For our honest members need it not: but God hath so disposed the body, and hath given most honour to that part which lacked,

It is written in the law: "By people with strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, yet not even in this way will they listen to me," says the Lord.

If any man makes use of a tongue, let it not be more than two, or at the most three, and in turn; and let someone give the sense:

But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.