I came to you in [a state of] weakness and fear and great trembling.

You are still worldly [controlled by ordinary impulses, the sinful capacity]. For as long as there is jealousy and strife and discord among you, are you not unspiritual, and are you not walking like ordinary men [unchanged by faith]?

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].

Each one should remain in the condition in which he was [when he was] called.

But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service].

Now these things [the warnings and admonitions] took place as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did.

Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

You know that when you were pagans, you were led off after speechless idols; however you were led off [whether by impulse or habit].

After that comes the end (completion), when He hands over the kingdom to God the Father, after He has made inoperative and abolished every ruler and every authority and power.

On the first day of every week each one of you is to put something aside, in proportion to his prosperity, and save it so that no collections [will need to] be made when I come.

I will visit you after I go through Macedonia, for I am only passing through Macedonia;