CHAP. X.
BUT I would not that you should be ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all pa.s.sed through the sea; (2)and were all baptised unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; (3)and did all eat the same spiritual meat; (4)and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual rock which followed them; but that rock was Christ. (5)Nevertheless with the most of them G.o.d was not well pleased, for they were destroyed in the wilderness.
(6)Now these things were examples for us, that we might not be coveters of evil things, as they also coveted. (7)Neither be ye idolaters as some of them; as it is written, "The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to sport themselves[94]." (8)Neither let us commit wh.o.r.edom, as some of them also committed, and in one day fell twenty-three thousand[95]. (9)Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted[96], and were destroyed by serpents. (10)Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and perished by the destroyer[97]. (11)Now all these things happened unto them as examples, but they are written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the ages are come. (12)Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.
(13)No temptation hath overtaken you, but what is common to men. And G.o.d is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted beyond what ye are able to bear; but will with the temptation make also a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear up under it.
(14)Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. (15)I speak as unto wise men: judge ye what I say. (16)The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? (17)For we, though many, are one loaf, one body; for we all partake of that one loaf.
(18)Behold Israel after the flesh. Are not they who eat of the sacrifices partakers with the altar? (19)What do I say then? that an idol is any thing, or that which is sacrificed to an idol is any thing?
(20)But that what the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to daemons, and not to G.o.d: and I would not have you in communion with daemons.
(21)Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of daemons: ye cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and the table of daemons.
(22)Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
(23)All things are lawful for me, but all things are not profitable; all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. (24)Let no man seek his own gratification, but every one another"s good.
(25)Every thing which is sold in the shambles eat, asking no question for conscience sake; (26)"for the earth is the Lord"s, and the fulness thereof[98]." (27)And if any one of those, who do not believe, invite you, and ye incline to go, eat every thing set before you, asking no question for conscience sake. (28)But if any person say unto you, This is an idol"s sacrifice, eat not of it, for his sake who pointed it out, and for conscience sake. For the earth is the Lord"s, and the fulness thereof. (29)Conscience indeed I say, not merely thine own, but that of the other person.
(30)For why is my liberty abridged by another"s conscience? If I truly with thanksgiving am a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
(31)Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all things to the glory of G.o.d. (32)Give no occasion of stumbling either to the Jews or the Gentiles, or the church of G.o.d: (33)even as I please all men, not seeking my own advantage, but that of the many, that they may be saved.
CHAP. XI.
BE ye imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (2)Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the injunctions as I delivered them unto you. (3)But I desire you to take notice that the head of every man is Christ; but the head of the woman is the man, and the head of Christ is G.o.d. (4)Every man praying or prophesying, holding _a veil_ over his head, dishonoureth his head; (5)but every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled, dishonoureth her head; for it is one and the same thing, as if she were shaven. (6)For if the woman be not veiled, let her hair be clipped: but if it would be scandalous for a woman to appear clipped or shaved, let her be veiled. (7)For a man indeed ought not to veil his head, being the image and the glory of G.o.d; but the woman is the glory of the man.
(8)For the man is not from the woman, but the woman from the man.
(9)Also the man was not created for the woman, but the woman for the man. (10)Therefore ought the woman to retain upon her head _this badge of authority_, because of the angels _of the churches_.
(11)Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord. (12)For as the woman was taken out of the man, so also is the man by the woman: but all things are of G.o.d.
(13)Judge among yourselves, is it decent for a woman to be praying to G.o.d without a covering? (14)Does not even nature itself teach you, that if a man wear long flowing hair it is a dishonour to him? (15)But if a woman let her hair flow, it is an ornament to her; for the hair was given her for a covering, (16)But if any man mean to be contentious about it, we have no such custom, nor the churches of G.o.d.
(17)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. (18)For in the first place, when ye a.s.semble in the church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it. (19)For there must be heresies among you, that they who are the tried ones, may be made manifest among you.
(20)When therefore ye a.s.semble in the same place, it is not to eat the Lord"s supper. (21)For one in the eating it taketh before another his own supper: and one is hungry, and another drinks to excess. (22)What!
have ye not houses to eat in and to drink? or despise ye the church of G.o.d, and make those ashamed who have none? What shall I say unto you?
shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. (23)For I received of the Lord what also I delivered to you, That the Lord Jesus, in the night in which he was betrayed, took a loaf: (24)and when he had blessed it, he brake it, and said, Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you: do this in remembrance of me. (25)In like manner also he took the cup, after they had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. (26)For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew forth the death of the Lord till he come. (27)Wherefore, whosoever eateth of this bread, or drinketh the cup of the Lord unworthily, he is guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. (28)But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. (29)For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh condemnation to himself, not distinguishing the Lord"s body. (30)For this cause many are diseased and infirm among you, and some asleep _in death_. (31)For if we thoroughly judged ourselves, we should not be judged of the Lord.
(32)But being judged, we are corrected by the Lord, that we might not be condemned with the world. (33)Wherefore, when ye meet together to eat the Lord"s supper, wait for one another. (34)And if any man be hungry, let him eat at home; that ye meet not together for condemnation. And the other matters I will regulate when I come.
CHAP. XII.
NOW concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. (2)Ye know that ye were Gentiles, drawn away after the idols that are dumb, even as ye have been led. (3)Wherefore I advertise you, that no man speaking by the Spirit of G.o.d, call Jesus anathema: and no man can say, Lord Jesus, but by the Holy Ghost. (4)But there are diversities of gifts, though the same Spirit. (5)And there are diversities of services, but the same Lord. (6)And there are diversities of mighty operations, but it is the same G.o.d who worketh all in all.
(7)Now to every one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for usefulness. (8)For to one man by the Spirit is given wise discourse; but to another speech _communicative_ of knowledge by the same Spirit; (9)to another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing _diseases_ by the same Spirit; (10)to another miraculous powers; to another prophecy; to another discernments of spirits; to another different kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: (11)but all these things worketh that one and the same Spirit, distributing peculiar gifts to every one even as he wills. (12)For as the body is one, and hath many members, but all the members of that one body, though many, are one body: so also is Christ. (13)For by one Spirit we all have been baptised into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free men; and we have all been made to drink into one Spirit. (14)For the body is not one member, but many. (15)If the foot should say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it, on this account, not of the body? (16)And if the ear should say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it not therefore of the body?
(17)If the whole body were eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? (18)But now hath G.o.d placed the members, every one of them in the body, as he hath chosen. (19)But if the whole were one member, where were the body? (20)But now the members indeed are many, but the body one. (21)Nor can the eye say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. (22)Yea, much more the members of the body, which appear to be more feeble, are necessary: (23)and those parts which we esteem as the more dishonourable of the body, on them we bestow more abundant honour, and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. (24)For our comely parts have no need: but G.o.d hath tempered together the body, giving more abundant honour to that part which lacked: (25)that there might be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. (26)And if one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; and if one member be exalted, all the members rejoice with it. (27)Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (28)And these also hath G.o.d placed in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, next miracles, then gifts of healings, helpers, directors, different kinds of tongues.
(29)Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? (30)have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (31)But zealously seek the gifts that are the best: and yet I shew unto you a more transcendently excellent way.
CHAP. XIII.
THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become as sounding bra.s.s, and tinkling cymbal. (2)And though I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries, and all manner of science; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. (3)And if I deal out all my goods in alms, and deliver up my body that I should be burned, but have not love, I am nothing advantaged by it. (4)Love is long-suffering, is kind; love envieth not; love is no vain boaster, is not inflated _with pride_, (5)doth not act unseemly, seeketh not her own advantage, is not pa.s.sionate, thinketh no evil; (6)rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth in the truth; (7)beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (8)Love never faileth: but if there be prophetic gifts, they shall be no more; if tongues, they shall cease; if science, it shall vanish away. (9)For we know partially, and prophesy partially. (10)But when that which is perfect cometh, then that which is in part shall be done away. (11)When I was a child, I spake as a child, I thought as a child, I reasoned as a child: but when I grew a man, I put away childish things. (12)For now we see by reflected light, indistinctly; but then face to face: now I know partially; but then shall I know even as I am known. (13)But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greater of these is love.
CHAP. XIV.
FOLLOW earnestly after love, and zealously seek spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. (2)For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue, speaketh not to men, but to G.o.d: for no man understandeth him; although in spirit he speaketh mysterious truths. (3)But he that prophesieth, addresseth men for edification, and exhortation, and consolation. (4)He that speaketh in an unknown tongue, edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth, edifieth the church. (5)Now I could wish that you all spake with tongues, but rather that ye should prophesy: for greater is he that prophesieth, than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret also, that the church may receive edification. (6)Now I, brethren, if I should come unto you, speaking in unknown languages, what should I profit you, unless I should speak to you _intelligibly_ by revelation, or by science, or by prophecy, or by doctrine? (7)In like manner things inanimate, giving sound, whether the pipe, or the harp, unless they express a distinction in their tones, how shall it be known what is piped, or what is harped? (8)For if the trumpet also give an uncertain sound, who will prepare himself for the battle? (9)So also ye, unless with the tongue you speak an intelligible discourse, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye will speak to the air. (10)For though there are so many different kinds of languages in the world, yet is not one of them without its meaning. (11)If therefore I know not the force of the expression, I shall be to him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh will be a barbarian unto me. (12)So also ye, if ye zealously affect spiritual gifts, seek that ye may abound in them for the edification of the church.
(13)Therefore let him who speaketh in an unknown tongue, pray that he may interpret also. (14)For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my mind produces no fruit. (15)What then is my object? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing psalms with the spirit, and I will sing psalms with the understanding also. (16)Else, though thou bless G.o.d in spirit, how shall he who filleth the place of an illiterate man, say Amen after thy thanksgiving, seeing he knoweth not what thou sayest? (17)For thou indeed givest thanks to G.o.d well, but another man is not edified by it.
(18)I thank my G.o.d, that I speak with different tongues more than you all: (19)but in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may instruct others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
(20)Brethren, be not children in your minds: though in naughtiness be ye children, but in your minds be men complete. (21)In the law it is written, "That with other tongues, and with other lips, will I speak to this people: and even thus will they not attend to me, saith the Lord[99]." (22)Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to those that believe, but to those who do not believe: but the gift of prophecy is not for those who are infidels, but for believers. (23)If then the whole church a.s.semble together in the same place, and all speak different tongues, and there come in illiterate persons, or infidels, will they not say ye are mad? (24)But if all prophesy, and any infidel or illiterate person come in, he receives conviction from all, he is judged of all: (25)and thus the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so falling down on his face, he will worship G.o.d, declaring that G.o.d verily is among you.
(26)How comes it then, brethren, that when ye a.s.semble together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath an interpretation? Let all things be done to edification. (27)If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at most by three, and one after another; and let one interpret.
(28)But if there be not an interpreter, let him be silent in the church; but let him speak to himself and to G.o.d. (29)Let the prophets two or three speak, and let the others judge. (30)But if any thing should be revealed to one sitting by, let the first be silent. (31)For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all be comforted. (32)And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. (33)For G.o.d is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of his saints.
(34)Let your women be silent in the churches: for it is not permitted to them to speak: but to be in subjection, as also the law saith[100].
(35)But if they will learn any thing, let them ask their own husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the church. (36)Went the word of G.o.d from you? or came it unto you only? (37)If any man thinketh that he is a prophet, or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that the things which I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. (38)But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant.
(39)Wherefore, my brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. (40)Let all things be done with propriety, and orderly.
CHAP. XV.
NOW I make known unto you, brethren, the gospel which I have preached unto you, and which ye have received, in which also ye have stood fast; (2)by which also ye are saved; if ye cleave to that word I have preached to you, except haply ye have believed in vain. (3)For I delivered to you among the first things that which I also had received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures; (4)and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: (5)and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: (6)afterwards he appeared before five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater number remain alive unto this hour, but some also are gone to rest. (7)Afterwards he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
(8)And last of all he was seen also by me, who am but as an abortion.
(9)For I am the least of the apostles, who am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of G.o.d. (10)But by the grace of G.o.d I am what I am: and his grace which was given to me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the grace of G.o.d which was with me. (11)Therefore whether I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
(12)But if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you, that there is no resurrection of the dead? (13)But if there is no resurrection of the dead, neither is Christ risen: (14)and if Christ be not risen, vain indeed is our preaching, and vain also your faith. (15)Yea, and we also are found false witnesses for G.o.d; because we have testified on the behalf of G.o.d, that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if indeed the dead are not raised. (16)For if the dead are not raised, neither is Christ risen: (17)and if Christ be not risen, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. (18)Then also they who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. (19)If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are more miserable than all other men.
(20)But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruit of those who have fallen asleep. (21)For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. (22)For as in Adam all are dead, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. (23)But every one in his own rank: Christ the first-fruit; afterwards those that are Christ"s at his appearing. (24)Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to G.o.d, and the Father; when he shall have destroyed every dominion and every authority and power. (25)For he must reign, until he hath put all enemies under his feet. (26)The last enemy shall be destroyed, death. (27)For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, that all things are put under him, it is evident that there is an exception of him, who subjected all things to him. (28)But when he shall have put all things under him, then also the Son himself shall be subjected to him who put all things under him, that G.o.d may be all in all. (29)Else what will they do who are baptised? for the dead, if wholly dead they rise no more. Why are they then baptised for the dead? (30)and why do we also expose ourselves to danger every hour? (31)I solemnly declare by all the joy over you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (32)If after the manner of men I have fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, of what advantage would it be to me, if the dead did not rise again? shall we eat and drink; because to-morrow we die? (33)Be not deceived: evil conversations corrupt good manners. (34)Awake as the righteous, and sin not; for some have an ignorance of G.o.d: I speak this to your shame.
(35)But will any man say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? (36)Thou fool! what thou sowest is not quickened except it die: (37)and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body which shall be afterwards, but the bare grain, perhaps of wheat, or of some of the other seeds: (38)but G.o.d giveth it a body as he pleaseth, and to each of the seeds its peculiar body.
(39)All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, and another flesh of cattle, and another of fishes, and another of birds. (40)Also there are celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and that of the terrestrial another.
(41)There is one glory of the sun; and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for star differeth from star in glory.
(42)So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: (43)it is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: (44)it is sown an animal body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is an animal body, and there is a spiritual body. (45)And so it is written, There was a first man Adam a living soul; a last Adam a quickening spirit. (46)But that which is spiritual was not first, but that which is animal; and afterward that which is spiritual. (47)The first man was of the earth, earthly; the second man was the Lord from heaven. (48)As is the earthly, so are they also that are earthly: and as is the heavenly, such also are they that are heavenly. (49)And as we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
(50)But this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of G.o.d: neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
(51)Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not indeed all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52)in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53)For that which is corruptible must put on incorruption, and that which is mortal must put on immortality. (54)So when that which is corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and that which is mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pa.s.s the saying which is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (55)O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? (56)The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. (57)But thanks be to G.o.d, who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (58)Wherefore, my beloved brethren, be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
CHAP. XVI.
NOW concerning the collection which is for the saints, as I have given an order to the churches of Galatia, so also do ye. (2)On the first day of the week let every one of you set apart with himself, treasuring it up, whatsoever he may please to give, that when I come there may be then no gatherings. (3)But when I come, whosoever you shall approve by letters, those will I send to carry your charity to Jerusalem. (4)But if it be of importance that I should go also, they shall go with me.
(5)Now I will come unto you when I have pa.s.sed through Macedonia (for I am pa.s.sing through Macedonia); (6)and perhaps I shall abide with you, yea and winter with you, that you may send me forward whithersoever I go. (7)For I will not see you now in pa.s.sing, but I hope to remain some considerable time with you if the Lord permit. (8)But I shall abide at Ephesus until the Pentecost: (9)for there is opened to me a great door, and effectual, and there are many adversaries.
(10)But if Timothy come, see that he may be among you without fear: for he worketh the Lord"s work, as I also do. (11)Let no man therefore treat him with disrespect; but forward him on his way in peace, that he may come to me; for I expect him with the brethren.
(12)As concerning brother Apollos, I besought him much that he would come to you with the brethren; but it was not at all his wish to come at this time: but he will come when he can find a good opportunity.
(13)Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, be manful, be strong. (14)Let all your concerns be transacted in love.
(15)Now I exhort you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints:) (16)wherefore submit yourselves to such, and to every one that worketh with us and laboureth.
(17)I rejoice in the arrival of Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus; because what was lacking from you, they have supplied.