For Christ did not send me to immerse people, but to preach the good news. [Note: Christ specifically commissioned Paul to preach; most of the immersing was done by his attendants]. It was not to be done with words of [human] wisdom, so that the [message of the] cross of Christ would not have its power taken away.

And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom [using clever rhetoric], but [they were delivered] in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit [operating through me] and of [His] power [stirring the minds of the listeners and persuading them],

For I most certainly, as being absent in body but present in spirit, have already, as though I were present, judged him who has done this thing.

Your boasting [over the supposed spirituality of your church] is not good [indeed, it is vulgar and inappropriate]. Do you not know that [just] a little leaven ferments the whole batch [of dough, just as a little sin corrupts a person or an entire church]?

Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if by you the world is judged, are you unworthy of the most insignificant courts?

If then you have courts for the business of this life, do you constitute them of the most abject in the church?

Stay away from [any involvement in] sexual immorality. Every sin a person commits is outside [the realm] of his body; but the one who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. [Note: Possibly this means that sex, because it requires the deepest and most complete commitment of human involvement, becomes a unique sin when its true purpose and expression are violated].

Were you called as a slave? Do not worry about it. But if indeed you are able to be free, make the most of the opportunity.

And this I say for your particular advantage, not to lay any constraint upon you, but as that which is most suitable to a state of uninterrupted attendance upon religion.

For being free from all, I have made myself bondman to all, that I might gain the most possible.

and drank the same supernatural drink??for they used to drink from a supernatural rock which attended them, and the rock was really Christ??5 still most of them disappointed God, for they were struck down in the desert.

Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those [impoverished believers] who have nothing? What will I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? In this I will not praise you!

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].

Yea, rather a great deal those members of the body which seem to be most feeble, are most necessary.

And upon those members of that body which we think least honest, put we most honesty on. And our ungoodly parts have most beauty on.

For our honest members need it not: but God hath so disposed the body, and hath given most honour to that part which lacked,

But desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I unto you.

But now [i.e., since the temporary gifts are to pass away], these three things remain: faith, hope and love; and the most important of them is love.

Go after love; still desiring to have the things which the Spirit gives, but most of all that you may have the prophet's power.

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 you most certainly give thanks well, but the other person is not built up.

If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that by course; and let one interpret.

Wherefore, my brethren, be most desirous to prophesy, and yet forbid not to speak with tongues:

For I passed on to you as most important what I also received:

that Christ died for our sins
according to the Scriptures,

Then he appeared to above five hundred brethren at once, of whom the most remain until now, but some also have fallen asleep.

But I am whatever I am because of God's unearned favor, and the favor He showed me was not for nothing [i.e., Paul made the most of his conversion by being extra diligent in his service to God]. But I worked harder than all the other apostles, yet it was not I, but God's favor on me [that accomplished it].

At any rate, whether I or they have done most, such is what we preach, such is what you believed.

If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.

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

Brothers and sisters, you know that those of the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves for ministry to God’s people—now I urge you