don't you know that we shall be judges of angels? much more then of the affairs of life?

for tho' I am independent of all men, yet have I subjected myself to all, that I might gain the more.

nay, those parts of the body, which seem to be of the least account, are much more necessary.

you are contesting about the superiority of your gifts: but I point out to you a more excellent way.

I thank God, I speak more languages than you all:

it is by the divine favour that I am what I am: and his favour to me was not in vain; no, I laboured more than they all: yet it was not I, it was the divine favour which assisted me.

and if Christ be not risen, then our preaching is empty talk, and your faith even meer amusement.

and if Christ was not raised, your faith is meer illusion, your sins are not yet forgiven.

besides, my engaging with those monsters, as I may say, at Ephesus, what advantage was it to me? if the dead don't rise, "let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die."