Chapter 2

46:007:040 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

46:008:001 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

46:008:002 And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.

46:008:003 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

46:008:004 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.

46:008:005 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)

46:008:006 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

46:008:007 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

46:008:008 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.

46:008:009 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of your's become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.

46:008:010 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;

46:008:011 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

46:008:012 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.

46:008:013 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.

46:009:001 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?

46:009:002 If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord.

46:009:003 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this,

46:009:004 Have we not power to eat and to drink?

46:009:005 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

46:009:006 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

46:009:007 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

46:009:008 Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

46:009:009 For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

46:009:010 Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

46:009:011 If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

46:009:012 If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

46:009:013 Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

46:009:014 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

46:009:015 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

46:009:016 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

46:009:017 For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

46:009:018 What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

46:009:019 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.

46:009:020 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;

46:009:021 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.

46:009:022 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

46:009:023 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.

46:009:024 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

46:009:025 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.

46:009:026 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

46:009:027 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

46:010:001 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;

46:010:002 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

46:010:003 And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

46:010:004 And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

46:010:005 But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

46:010:006 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.

46:010:007 Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

46:010:008 Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.

46:010:009 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.

46:010:010 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

46:010:011 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

46:010:012 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

46:010:013 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.

46:010:014 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

46:010:015 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

46:010:016 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?

46:010:017 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

46:010:018 Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

46:010:019 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing?

46:010:020 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.

46:010:021 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.

46:010:022 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

46:010:023 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.

46:010:024 Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth.

46:010:025 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:

46:010:026 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.

46:010:027 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.

46:010:028 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:

46:010:029 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?

46:010:030 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?

46:010:031 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

46:010:032 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

46:010:033 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

46:011:001 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

46:011:002 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

46:011:003 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.

46:011:004 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

46:011:005 But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

46:011:006 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

46:011:007 For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

46:011:008 For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.

46:011:009 Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

46:011:010 For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

46:011:011 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

46:011:012 For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God.

46:011:013 Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

46:011:014 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

46:011:015 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

46:011:016 But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

46:011:017 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

46:011:018 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

46:011:019 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

46:011:020 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.

46:011:021 For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

46:011:022 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

46:011:023 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

46:011:024 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

46:011:025 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

46:011:026 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

46:011:027 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

46:011:028 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

46:011:029 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

46:011:030 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

46:011:031 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

46:011:032 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

46:011:033 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

46:011:034 And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

46:012:001 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.

46:012:002 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.

46:012:003 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.

46:012:004 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

46:012:005 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

46:012:006 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

46:012:007 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

46:012:008 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;

46:012:009 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;

46:012:010 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:

46:012:011 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

46:012:012 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

46:012:013 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

46:012:014 For the body is not one member, but many.

46:012:015 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

46:012:016 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

46:012:017 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

46:012:018 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.

46:012:019 And if they were all one member, where were the body?

46:012:020 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

46:012:021 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

46:012:022 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:

46:012:023 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.

46:012:024 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked.

46:012:025 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

46:012:026 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

46:012:027 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

46:012:028 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

46:012:029 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?

46:012:030 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?

46:012:031 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.

46:013:001 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.

46:013:002 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.

46:013:003 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 profiteth me nothing.

46:013:004 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

46:013:005 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

46:013:006 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

46:013:007 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

46:013:008 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

46:013:009 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.

46:013:010 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

46:013:011 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

46:013:012 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

46:013:013 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

46:014:001 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.

46:014:002 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.

46:014:003 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

46:014:004 He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church.

46:014:005 I would that ye all spake with tongues but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

46:014:006 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?

46:014:007 And even things without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or harped?

46:014:008 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

46:014:009 So likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air.

46:014:010 There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.

46:014:011 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall be a barbarian unto me.

46:014:012 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

46:014:013 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.

46:014:014 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.

46:014:015 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.

46:014:016 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?

46:014:017 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.

46:014:018 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

46:014:019 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

46:014:020 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

46:014:021 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.