(Now I also baptized the household of Stephanas. Beyond that I do not know if I baptized anyone else.)

For God's folly is beyond the wisdom of men, and God's weakness is beyond their strength.

For God has unveiled them and revealed them to us through the [Holy] Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things [diligently], even [sounding and measuring] the [profound] depths of God [the divine counsels and things far beyond human understanding].

And beyond that, it is sought in managers that any man should be found faithful.

But [as for me personally] it matters very little to me that I may be judged by you or any human court [on this point]; in fact, I do not even judge myself.

Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written; that no one of you be puffed up for the one against the other.

And you are arrogant [about it] instead [of being ashamed]. Should you not be grieved to the point of removing from your fellowship the person who has done this [terrible] deed?

And yet, when you have mundane issues to settle, you refer them to the judgment of men who from the point of view of the church are of no account!

But if the unbeliever go away, let them go away; a brother or a sister is not bound in such cases, but God has called us in peace.

A bond-servant, wast thou called? let it not cause thee concern; but, if thou canst even become, free, rather use it.

For he who was a slave when he was called in the Lord is a freedman of the Lord, likewise he who was free when he was called is a slave of Christ.

With a price, have ye been bought, - do not become bond-servants of men:

Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.

But if any one think that he behaves unseemly to his virginity, if he be beyond the flower of his age, and so it must be, let him do what he will, he does not sin: let them marry.

The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.

Or am I alone and Barnabas bound to labor with our own hands?

Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Does not the Law say the same thing?

For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to everyone, so that I may win more [for Christ].

No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].

Look at the Israelis from a human point of view. Those who eat the sacrifices share in what is on the altar, don't they?

But every woman who prays or prophesies [in the public assembly] with her [physical] head uncovered [i.e., with hair or a shawl] shows disrespect for her head [i.e., for her husband. See verse 3]. Such appearance is the same as if her [physical] head were shaved. [Note: Various sources point out that a shaved or closely cropped head was an emblem of a prostitute or a woman found guilty of sexual unfaithfulness to her husband. See Num. 5:11-18].

Nevertheless, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman.

But if any one is inclined to be contentious on the point, we have no such custom, nor have the Churches of God.

Have ye not then houses for eating and drinking? or do ye despise the assembly of God, and put to shame them who have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you? In this point I do not praise.

For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

But always seek to excel in the greater gifts. And now I will point out to you a way of life which transcends all others.

Therefore, [unknown] tongues are [meant] for a [supernatural] sign, not to believers but to unbelievers [who might be receptive]; while prophecy [foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people] is not for unbelievers but for believers.

If they want information on any point, they should ask their husbands about it at home; for it is unbecoming for a married woman to speak at a meeting of the Church.

What good has it done me if, [merely] from a human point of view, I fought with wild animals at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised [at all], let us eat and drink [enjoying ourselves now], for tomorrow we die.