1 Corinthians is a letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth, addressing issues of division, immorality, and confusion about spiritual gifts. Paul emphasizes the importance of unity in Christ, the power of love, and the resurrection of Jesus. He provides guidance on practical matters like marriage, worship, and the Lord's Supper. Readers learn about living a life that reflects Christian values, the significance of spiritual maturity, and the transformative power of love and faith in community.
1. Paul called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,2. To the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:3. Grace be to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. And I, brothers, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God.2. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.3. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
1. And I, brothers, could not speak to you as to spiritual, but as to carnal, even as to babes in Christ.2. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for till now you were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able.3. For you are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal, and walk as men?
1. Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.2. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.3. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yes, I judge not my own self.
1. It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife.2. And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that has done this deed might be taken away from among you.3. For I truly, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that has so done this deed,
1. Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?2. Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?3. Know you not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
1. Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.2. Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.3. Let the husband render to the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife to the husband.
1. Now as touching things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies.2. And if any man think that he knows any thing, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.3. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
1. Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not you my work in the Lord?2. If I be not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of my apostleship are you in the Lord.3. My answer to them that do examine me is this,
1. Moreover, brothers, I would not that you should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;2. And were all baptized to Moses in the cloud and in the sea;3. And did all eat the same spiritual meat;
1. Be you followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.2. Now I praise you, brothers, that you remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.3. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
1. Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I would not have you ignorant.2. You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, even as you were led.3. Why I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.
1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profits me nothing.
1. Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy.2. For he that speaks in an unknown tongue speaks not to men, but to God: for no man understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.3. But he that prophesies speaks to men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
1. Moreover, brothers, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you have received, and wherein you stand;2. By which also you are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached to you, unless you have believed in vain.3. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1. Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do you.2. On the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God has prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come.3. And when I come, whomsoever you shall approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality to Jerusalem.
