What I mean is this, that each one of you says, "I am of Paul," and "I of Apollos," and "I of Cephas," and "I of Christ."

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know God, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

But, as it is written, "No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived what God has prepared for those who love him,"

This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.

What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord assigned to each one.

Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that in us you may learn not to go beyond what is written, so that no one of you will become arrogant in favor of one against the other.

For who regards you as different? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?

What do you desire? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love and a spirit of gentleness?

For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?

Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what counts.

This I say for your own benefit, not to put a restraint upon you, but to promote what is good and to secure undivided devotion to the Lord.

But if any man thinks that he is not acting properly toward his betrothed, if she is past her youth, and if it must be so, let him do what he wishes, he does not sin; let them marry.

Do you not know that those who work in the temple get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?

What then is my reward? Just this: that in my preaching I may offer the gospel free of charge, and so not make full use of my right in the gospel.

No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man. And God is faithful, who will not let you be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.

I speak as to sensible men; judge for yourselves what I say.

What do I mean then? That a thing offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? No, I will not.

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread,

But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

If even lifeless things, such as the flute or the harp, do not give a distinction in the notes, how will any one know what is played?

So it is with you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is intelligible, how will anyone know what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.

What am I to do? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.

Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how can any one in the position of an outsider say the "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying?

What is the outcome then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, or a teaching, or a revelation, or a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.

Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of themyet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

Otherwise, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why then are people baptized for them?

If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus for merely human reasons, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?"

You foolish man! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.

I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have supplied what was lacking on your part.