Study Desk

But when the Lord judges us, he disciplines us so that we will not be destroyed along with the world.

There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit.

There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve.

And there are different ways that God works through people but the same God. God works in all of us in everything we do.

A person's body is one thing, but it has many parts. Though there are many parts to a body, all those parts make only one body. Christ is like that also.

Some of us are Jews, and some are Greeks. Some of us are slaves, and some are free. But we were all baptized into one body through one Spirit. And we were all made to share in the one Spirit.

The foot might say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not part of the body." But saying this would not stop the foot from being a part of the body.

The ear might say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not part of the body." But saying this would not stop the ear from being a part of the body.

If each part of the body were the same part, there would be no body. But truly God put all the parts, each one of them, in the body as he wanted them.

So then there are many parts, but only one body.

The more respectable parts of our body need no special care. But God put the body together and gave more honor to the parts that need it

But you should truly want to have the greater gifts. And now I will show you the best way of all.

I may speak in different languages of people or even angels. But if I do not have love, I am only a noisy bell or a crashing cymbal.

I may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret things of God and have all knowledge, and I may have faith so great I can move mountains. But even with all these things, if I do not have love, then I am nothing.

I may give away everything I have, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love.

Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth.

Love never ends. There are gifts of prophecy, but they will be ended. There are gifts of speaking in different languages, but those gifts will stop. There is the gift of knowledge, but it will come to an end.

But when perfection comes, the things that are not perfect will end.

It is the same with us. Now we see a dim reflection, as if we were looking into a mirror, but then we shall see clearly. Now I know only a part, but then I will know fully, as God has known me.

But those who prophesy are speaking to people to give them strength, encouragement, and comfort.