The message about Christ has become firmly established there among you [i.e., by such gifts],

so that there is no spiritual gift in which you consciously come short, while you are waiting for the unveiling of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Now I make request to you, my brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you will all say the same thing, and that there may be no divisions among you, so that you may be in complete agreement, in the same mind and in the same opinion.

Because it has come to my knowledge, through those of the house of Chloe, that there are divisions among you, my brothers.

Is there a division in Christ? was Paul nailed to the cross for you? or were you given baptism in the name of Paul?

For be looking at the calling of you, brethren, - that there were not many wise, according to flesh. Not many powerful, not many high-born:

And I was weak, apprehensive and fearful when I was [there] with you. [Note: This probably refers to Paul's sense of inadequacy in view of the task before him].

And in my preaching there were no honeyed words of wisdom, but I was dependent on the power of the Spirit to make it clear to you:

Yet there is a wisdom that we impart when we are with people who have a mature faith, but it is not what this world calls wisdom, nor what the authorities of this world, doomed as they are to pass away, would call so.

But, as the Scripture says, there are things "Which no eye ever saw and no ear ever heard, And never occurred to the human mind, Which God has provided for those who love him."

Is there anyone who can understand his own thoughts except his own inner spirit? In the same way, no one can know the thoughts of God except God's Spirit.

Because you are still in the flesh: for when there is envy and division among you, are you not still walking after the way of the flesh, even as natural men?

For there is no other base for the building but that which has been put down, which is Jesus Christ.

For this reason let there be no judging before the time, till the Lord comes, who will make clear the secret things of the dark, and the designs of the heart; and then will every man have his praise from God.

It is said, in fact, that there is among you a sin of the flesh, such as is not seen even among the Gentiles, that one of you has his father's wife.

For although physically absent [from you], I am truly present with you in spirit and have already judged the person who did this [terrible] thing, just as if I were there [in person].

that is, when you are assembled, and I virtually there, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

I did not mean the sexually immoral people of this world, or with greedy people and swindlers, or with idolaters. For [to do this] you would have to go out of the world. [Note: If taken literally, this implies that there are no sinful people outside our planet].

If then there are questions to be judged in connection with the things of this life, why do you put them in the hands of those who have no position in the church?

I say this to put you to shame. Is there not among you one wise man who may be able to give a decision between his brothers?

Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?

it cannot be. why, don't you perceive, that where there is such an attachment, they are but as one person? for the scripture says, "they two shall be as one."

but because there is so much immorality let each man have his own wife; and let each women have her own husband.

Yet if the unbeliever departs, let there be separation. The brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace.

Where each man stood when he was called, there, brothers, let him stay, close to God.

But if you do marry, there is no sin in that. And if a girl marries, it is no sin. But those who marry will have worldly trouble, which I would like to spare you.

But I say this, brothers; there is not much time left [i.e., before the crisis arrives in full fury. See verse 26]. From now on those men who are married should live as though they were single.

There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.

But if, in any man's opinion, he is not doing what is right for his virgin, if she is past her best years, and there is need for it, let him do what seems right to him; it is no sin; let them be married.

So, then, as to the question of taking food offered to images, we are certain that an image is nothing in the world, and that there is no God but one.

For though there are those who have the name of gods, in heaven or on earth, as there are a number of gods and a number of lords,

There is for us only one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we are for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we have our being through him.

Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

For in the law of Moses it has been written, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that plows. Is there a care to God for oxen,

For if I preach the gospel, there is no boasting to me; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I may not preach the gospel.

Neither let us commit fornication, as, some of them, committed fornication, and there fell, in one day, three and twenty thousand;

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.

In the Cup of Blessing which we bless, is not there a sharing in the blood of the Christ? And in the Bread which we break, is not there a sharing in the Body of the Christ?

Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for all of us share that one bread.

What am I saying then? That there is any such thing as being offered to an idol, or any such thing as an idol?

We are free to do all things, but there are things which it is not wise to do. We are free to do all things, but not all things are for the common good.

If there be any man among you that lusteth to strife, let him know that we have no such customs, neither the congregations of God.

But in giving you this order, there is one thing about which I am not pleased: it is that when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.

For first of all, it has come to my ears that when you come together in the church, there are divisions among you, and I take the statement to be true in part.

For there must needs be, even parties among you, that, the approved, themselvesmay become manifest among you.

Again, when you meet together, there is no true eating of the Lord's Supper;

Because of this [i.e., their improper partaking of the Supper], many people among you are weak and ill, and a number have fallen asleep [i.e., died]. [Note: While most commentators view this judgment as physical, there is a distinct possibility that it refers to spiritual sickness and death].

So then, my brothers, when you come together to the holy meal of the Lord, let there be waiting for one another.

You know that there was a time when you were Gentiles, going astray after idols that could not speak, just as you happened to be led.

Now there are different qualities given to men, but the same Spirit.

And there are different sorts of servants, but the same Lord.

And there are different operations, but the same God, who is working all things in all.

To each man there is given spiritual illumination for the general good.

And if all the parts were one part, how could there be a [whole] body?

Now, however there are many members, yet one body;

But quite the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are [absolutely] necessary;

So that there might be no division in the body; but all the parts might have the same care for one another.

And if there is pain in one part of the body, all the parts will be feeling it; or if one part is honoured, all the parts will be glad.

And by God's appointment there are in the Church--first Apostles, secondly Prophets, thirdly teachers. Then come miraculous powers, and then ability to cure diseases or render loving service, or powers of organization, or varieties of the gift of 'tongues.'

She bears up under everything; believes the best in all; there is no limit to her hope, and never will she fall.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

and now there doth remain faith, hope, love -- these three; and the greatest of these is love.

For the person who speaks in a language [supernaturally] does not speak to people, but to God, for no one can understand him [i.e., unless there is an interpreter or it is the person's native language]; he speaks [previously] unrevealed truths under the influence of the Holy Spirit [or "in his spirit"]. [Note: For a correct understanding of this chapter, it must be kept in mind that Paul is addressing a misuse ofthe gift of speaking in languages supernaturally. The Corinthians were doing this in the wrong way and for the wrong purpose].

Even inanimate things, like the flute or the harp, may give out sounds, but if there is no difference in the notes, how can the tune that is played on the flute or the harp be told?

There may happen to be so many kinds of languages in the world, and, not one, unspoken: -

But since there is emulation among you concerning spiritual gifts, seek to abound in the exercise of such gifts as tend most to the edification of the church.

For if you [ask God to] bless with your spirit [i.e., in a language supernaturally], how will the person there, who does not have the gift [i.e., of interpreting the language] be able to say, "May it be so," when you offer [a prayer of] thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

If, then, the whole assembly come together with one consent, and, all, are speaking with tongues, - and there come in persons unskilled or unbelieving, will they not say that ye are raving?

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.

If any person speaks in another language, there should be only two, or at the most three, each in turn, and someone must interpret.

But, if there be none to translate, let him keep silence in assembly, and, unto himself, be speaking, and, unto God!

And if there are two or three prophets, let them speak, and let the others judge.

But if something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent.

Let your women be silent in your assemblies: for they are not allowed to discourse there; but are to observe orders, as indeed the law implies:

If there is anything they want to learn [that is, if they have questions about anything being said or taught], they are to ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to talk in church.

Now, if, Christ is proclaimed, that, from among the dead, he hath been raised, how say some, among you - resurrection of the dead, there is none?

But, if, resurrection of the dead, there is none, not even Christ, hath been raised;

and if Christ was not raised, the message which we preach has nothing in it; there is nothing in our faith either,

Yes, and we are seen to be false witnesses of God; because we gave witness of God that by his power Christ came again from the dead: which is not true if there is no coming back from the dead.

For as by man came death, so by man there is a coming back from the dead.

For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, that all things are put under him, it is evident that there is an exception of him, who subjected all things to him.

Otherwise [i.e., if there were no resurrection], what do people accomplish by being immersed for those who have [already] died? If dead people are not raised up at all, why then are people immersed on their behalf? [Note: The foregoing rendition is the most commonly held one of over

Why do we also risk danger every hour [i.e., if there were no resurrection]?

What benefit was it to me, from a human standpoint, if I fought wild animals in Ephesus, and [yet] the dead are not raised? [Note: This probably refers to Paul facing ferocious opposition from people there in Ephesus]. We should [just] eat and drink, for tomorrow we [may] die.

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.

Not all flesh is the same flesh; there is one flesh for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.

And there are heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies, - but, of one kind, indeed, is the glory of the heavenly, and, of another kind, is the glory of the earthly; -

There is a splendor of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the stars; for one star differs from another star in splendor.

It is sown a body of the soul, it is raised a body of the spirit; if there is a body of the soul, there is also of the spirit: -

And so it is written, There was a first man Adam a living soul; a last Adam a quickening spirit.

Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.

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

And if it is possible for me to go there, they will go with me.

For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.

If Timothy gets there, see that he is at ease among you, for he is devotedly doing the work of the Lord, just as I am.

But, concerning Apollos the brother, much, did I beseech him, that he would come unto you, with the brethren, but there was, by no means, any will, that he should come, now; - he will come, however, as soon as he hath good opportunity.

for they have refreshed my spirit, and yours. There fore, acknowledge such.

If anyone [there] does not love the Lord, he deserves to be cut off from God. O Lord, come [back soon].