This is why I have sent Timothy to you. He is a dear child of mine, in the service of the Lord, and one on whom you can depend, and he will help you to keep in mind my methods in the service of Christ Jesus, which I follow everywhere in every church.

What will ye? Am I to come to you with a rod, or in love, and the spirit of mildness?

Certainly this is nothing for you to boast of. Do you not know that a little yeast will affect all the dough?

But now I am writing to you to stop associating with any so-called brother if he is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunk, or a robber. You must even stop eating with someone like that.

For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

of the things of life, indeed, then, if ye may have judgment, those despised in the assembly -- these cause ye to sit;

I say this to move you to shame. What, cannot there be found among you one wise man who shall be able to decide between his brethren,

To begin with, it is undoubtedly a loss to you to have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather let yourselves be wronged? Why not rather let yourselves be cheated?

Do you not know your bodies are members of Christ? Am I to take Christ's members and devote them to a harlot? Never!

Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.

Do not deprive each other [of marital rights], except perhaps by mutual consent for a time, so that you may devote yourselves [unhindered] to prayer, but come together again so that Satan will not tempt you [to sin] because of your lack of self-control.

For the unbelieving husband is set apart [i.e., as an acceptable mate, although not yet saved. See verse 16], through his wife [i.e., her Christian commitment is viewed as having a godly effect on the home], and the unbelieving wife is set apart through the brother [i.e., for the same reason]. Otherwise, your children would be [considered] unclean. [Note: "Unclean" suggests they would be viewed as pagans were it not for one parent being a Christian]. But, as it is, they are set apart as acceptable [i.e., to God, because of the influence of the one Christian parent].

But if the unbeliever leaves, let him leave. A brother or a sister is not bound in such cases. God has called you to live in peace.

Because of the impending crisis I think it best for you to remain as you are.

not that it is a sin for you to marry; nor is it so if a virgin marry; but they that do, will be troubled for their relations, and that I would prevent.

But I would have you to be free from cares. He that is unmarried is careful for the things of the Lord, how he may please the Lord:

Thus much I say in your own interest; not to lay a trap for you, but to help towards what is becoming, and enable you to wait on the Lord without distraction.

A wife is bound [i.e., to stay married] for as long as her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free to be married to anyone she wants; [but it must be] only in the Lord [i.e., he must be a faithful Christian].

yet to us is one God, the Father, of whom are the all things, and we to Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are the all things, and we through Him;

But pay attention [to this], so that somehow this liberty of yours [i.e., to eat whatever you want to] does not become an occasion over which weak people could fall [away from God].

If we to you the spiritual things did sow -- great is it if we your fleshly things do reap?

For if I announce the glad tidings, I have nothing to boast of; for a necessity is laid upon me; for it is woe to me if I should not announce the glad tidings.

Therefore became I, to the Jews, as, a Jew, - that, Jews, I might win; to them who were under law, as, under law, not being, myself, under law, - that, them who were under law, I might win;

I behaved like a weak person in front of weak people [See 8:9-12], in order to win them over [i.e., to help them become stronger]. I have become all things to all people so that, in every way, I could save some of them.

And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.

And I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,

Do not be worshipers of handmade gods, as some of them were; just as it is written [in Scripture], “The people sat down to eat and drink [after sacrificing to the golden calf at Horeb], and stood up to play [indulging in immoral activities].”

Again, let us not give way to the desires of the flesh, as some of them did, of whom twenty-three thousand came to their end in one day.

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.

But that what the nations sacrifice they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. Now I do not wish you to be in communion with demons.

Or are we to provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we mightier than he?

Eat any food that has been sold in the market, instead of letting scruples of conscience oblige you to ask any questions about it;

If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

If, so far as I am concerned, I partake with a grateful heart, why am I to be found fault with in regard to a thing for which I give thanks?"

Even as I give way to all men in all things, not looking for profit for myself, but for the good of others, that they may get salvation.

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

But I wish you to know that the Christ is the head of every man, but woman's head is the man, and the Christ's head God.

Of course, there must be factions among you to show which of you are genuine!

But this makes it impossible for you to eat the 'Lord's' supper when you hold your gatherings.

What? have you not houses to take your meals in? or have you no respect for the church of God, putting the poor to shame? What am I to say to you? am I to give you praise? certainly not.

and having given thanks, he brake, and said, 'Take ye, eat ye, this is my body, that for you is being broken; this do ye -- to the remembrance of me.'

If anyone is [too] hungry [i.e., to wait], he should eat at home, so that your assembly does not result in judgment [falling on some of you. See verse 30]. And I will tend to the remaining matters when I come [to you].

But concerning spiritual manifestations, brethren, I do not wish you to be ignorant.

Ye know that when ye were of the nations ye were led away to dumb idols, in whatever way ye might be led.

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

It is also impossible for the eye to say to the hand, "I do not need you;" or again for the head to say to the feet, "I do not need you."

But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

and if I give away to feed others all my goods, and if I give up my body that I may be burned, and have not love, I am profited nothing.

But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

Now I wish that all of you spoke in unknown tongues, but even more [I wish] that you would prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater [and more useful] than the one who speaks in tongues, unless he translates or explains [what he says], so that the church may be edified [instructed, improved, strengthened].

Then what am I to do? I will pray with the spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will pray with the mind [using words I understand]; I will sing with the spirit [by the Holy Spirit that is within me] and I will sing with the mind [using words I understand].

It's good for you to give thanks, but it does not build up the other person.

for the spirits of prophets will give way to prophets,

Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.

What! did God's Message to the world originate with you? or did it find its way to none but you?

by the which also ye are saved - I do you to know, after what manner I preached unto you - if ye keep it, except ye have believed in vain.

Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

With reference to the Collection for Christ's People, I want you to follow the instructions that I gave to the Churches in Galatia.

and perhaps I may abide with you, or even spend the winter, that you may conduct me on my way to whatever place I may go.

No one, therefore, should slight him. See him safely on his way to me, for I am expecting him with some of our Brothers.

Now I urge you, brothers??ou know that the family of Stephanas was the first to be converted in Greece, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of God's people??16 I want you to enlist under such leaders, and under anyone who joins with you and works hard.

to be subject to such leaders [treating them with courtesy and respect], and to everyone who helps in the work and labors [for the benefit of yourselves and the church].

All of the brothers [and sisters] send you their greetings [also]. Greet one another with a holy kiss [i.e., to signify affection, yet without sensuality].

Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

But if we experience trouble, it is in order [to provide] for your comfort and salvation. Or, if we are comforted, it is in order [to provide] for your comfort [also], which enables you to endure patiently the same sufferings we experience.

For we do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, as to our tribulation which happened to us in Asia, that we were excessively pressed beyond our power, so as to despair even of living.

It was because of this confidence that first I planned to visit you, to give you a double delight;

And to pass by you into Macedonia, and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought on my way toward Judaea.

But it is God who guarantees us and you to Christ; he has anointed us

But I appeal to God as my witness [i.e., to verify that I am telling the truth]; it was in order to spare you [i.e., from a disciplinary action] that I decided not to return to Corinth.

For we do not have [the right to] rule over your faith [i.e., to dictate concerning your personal relationship with God], but we want to work with you for your happiness. For you are [already] standing firm in your faith. [Note: This whole narrative alludes to some unresolved problems still existing there in Corinth].

for if I cause you to grieve, who is he that makes me glad, but he that is made sorry by me?

As to him who has been, and now is, causing pain, it is not I whom he has pained, but all of you??t least some of you (not to overstate the case).

so that, on the contrary, it is rather for you to forgive and to comfort, lest by over abundant sorrow such a one may be swallowed up;

Wherefore I beseech you to confirm your love toward him.

For to this end also I have written, that I might know, by putting you to the test, if as to everything ye are obedient.

I had no rest in my spirit at not finding Titus my brother; but bidding them adieu, I came away to Macedonia.

Are we to begin again, ourselves, to commend? or have we need, like some, of commendatory letters unto you, or from you?

which shows you to be the epistle of Christ, written by my ministration, not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not on tables of stone, but on living tables of the heart.

Not that, of our own selves, sufficient, are we, to reckon anything as of ourselves, but, our sufficiency, is of God; -

If, however, the meaning of our Good News has been veiled, the veil has been on the hearts of those who are on the way to perdition,

For we know that He who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will raise us also to be with Jesus, and will cause both us and you to stand in His own presence.

For which cause we do not give way to weariness; but though our outer man is getting feebler, our inner man is made new day by day.

Since we [apostles] know [what it means] to revere the Lord, we try to persuade people [i.e., to accept the Gospel, or to acknowledge our integrity]. But we are [already] known to God, and I hope that you also know us in your hearts [i.e., to have integrity].

For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.

It is for Christ, therefore, that I am an envoy, seeing that God makes his appeal through me. On Christ's behalf I beg you to be reconciled to God.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

[We try] not to place an obstacle in anyone's way [i.e., to keep them from accepting the Gospel message], so that our ministry would not be blamed.

On the contrary, as a servant of God I try in every way to commend myself to them, through my great endurance in troubles, difficulties, hardships,

I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you.

Much freedom of speech to me toward you; to me much boasting over you: I am filled with consolation, I superabound in joy in all your pressure.

yet I am glad now, not because you were hurt and made sorry, but because your sorrow led to repentance [and you turned back to God]; for you felt a grief such as God meant you to feel, so that you might not suffer loss in anything on our account.

See how the very fact that you were made sorry from a godly motive has produced earnestness in you! [It produced] a desire to vindicate yourselves [i.e., by making amends for your wrongdoing]; an attitude of just anger [i.e., toward the wrongdoers]; a sense of fear [i.e., a fear of God for doing wrong]; an eager desire [i.e., to do the right thing]; a zeal [i.e., to correct problems]; and an attitude of avenging [i.e., that punished the wrongdoer]. You demonstrated in everything [you did] that you were pure [i.e., innocent] in this matter. [Note: This whole description of their conduct appears to be a reference to the incident mentioned in 2:1-11].

For if I have boasted to him at all concerning you, I was not disappointed. But just as everything we ever said to you was true, so our boasting [about you] to Titus has proved true also.

And his love to you is the more increased by his memory of you all, how you gave way to his authority, and how you took him to your hearts with fear and honour.

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

but even as ye abound in every way, in faith, and word, and knowledge, and all diligence, and in love from you to us, that ye may abound in this grace also.

But I will tell you what I think about it. For this is the best way to deal with you, for you were the first not only to do anything about this, but to want to do anything, and that was last year.

And now I want you to complete the work, so that its completion may correspond with your willing readiness--in proportion, of course, to your means.