So then, it does not matter who plants or who waters, but [it is] God who matters, for He makes the seed grow.

but in every case the nature of his work will come out; the Day will show what it is, for the Day breaks in fire, and the fire will test the work of each, no matter what that work may be.

Now in this matter of stewards your first requirement is that they must be trustworthy.

But for me it is the very smallest matter that I be examined of you or of man's day. Nor do I even examine myself.

for, although I am not conscious of having anything against me, that does not clear me. It is the Lord who cross-questions me on the matter.

For no matter how many guides you may have in the Christian life, you will not have many fathers; for in this matter of union with Christ, I became your father, through preaching the good news to you.

For God's kingdom is not a matter of [impressive] words, but of [spiritual] power.

this you have made a matter of levity, instead of being concern'd in discarding him that has done such an action.

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?

I am saying this to make you ashamed. Can there not be found one wise person [there] among you who is able to decide [on a matter] between his [Christian] brothers?

Indeed it is already altogether a small matter to you, that you have law-suits one with another. Why do you not rather stiffer injustice? why are you not rather defrauded?

But I am saying this as a concession, not as a command.

I wish that all the people were as I am; but each person has his own gift from God, one of this kind and one of that.

But I, not the Lord, say this to the rest of you [Note: Paul now addresses the matter of mixed marriages, a circumstance Jesus never taught about]: If any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she agrees to continue living with him [Note: In these verses Paul addresses a situation where one marriage partner is converted after they are married], he should not divorce her.

Circumcision does not matter and uncircumcision does not matter, but keeping God’s commands does.

Were you a slave when you were called? It should not matter to you [i.e., if you still are]. But if, indeed, you can become a free person, then use that freedom instead [i.e., for serving God].

I suppose, therefore, this to be good because of the present necessity, that it is good for a man that the matter be thus: --

If, however, a father thinks he is acting unbecomingly towards his still unmarried daughter if she be past the bloom of her youth, and so the matter is urgent, let him do what she desires; he commits no sin; she and her suitor should be allowed to marry.

But [another] man, who has a conviction in his heart [about the matter], and does not feel it is necessary [to get married], but has control over his will [i.e., his sexual passion], and has made up his mind to keep [from marrying] his own virgin [fiancee] --- that man is doing the right thing [also].

I now want to reply to the matter of idolatrous sacrifices [which you wrote to me about]. We know that we all possess knowledge. [Note: This may be a statement posed to Paul by the Corinthians, who seemed quite preoccupied with "knowledge"]. Knowledge [only] makes people arrogant, while love builds them up [spiritually].

In this matter, then, of eating food offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world [it has no real existence], and that there is no God but one.

For if any one were to see you, who know the real truth of this matter, reclining at table in an idol's temple, would not his conscience (supposing him to be a weak believer)

If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things?

But I have used none of these privileges, nor am I writing this [to suggest] that any such provision be made for me now. For it would be better for me to die than to have anyone deprive me of my boast [in this matter of financial support].

For, if I be telling the glad-message, it is, with me, no matter of boasting; for, necessity, upon me, lieth, - for it is, Woe to me, if I should not be telling the glad-message;

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].

Since there is one bread, we [believers] who are many are [united into] one body; for we all partake of the one bread [which represents the body of Christ].

that the idol, or that what is offered in sacrifice to the idol, is a matter of consequence?

If I partake with thankfulness, why am I to be evil spoken of in a matter for which I give thanks?

You must judge for yourselves in this matter. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with nothing on her head?

But if anyone is inclined to argue [about this matter], neither we [apostles] nor the churches of God have any [other] custom than this.

But in the matter I am going to denounce, I do not commend you, that ye meet together not for the better, but for the worse.

Why, have you no homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you wish to show your contempt for the Church of God and make those who have no homes feel ashamed? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this matter I certainly do not praise you.

But, as a matter of fact, God has arranged the parts in the body--every one of them--as He has seen fit.

But, as a matter of fact, there are many parts and but one body.

How then does the matter stand? I will pray in spirit, and I will pray with my understanding also. I will praise God in spirit, and I will praise Him with my understanding also.

[For that matter] why are we [running such risks and putting ourselves] in danger [nearly] every hour [if there is no resurrection]?

Awake up righteously, and sin not; for some are ignorant of God: I speak to you as a matter of shame.

All flesh is not the same [Note: The word "flesh" here refers to the material composition of matter, and in no way suggests anything sinful, as it does in many other places in Paul's writings]. But mankind has one [kind of] flesh; animals have another kind; birds have another; and fish [still] another.