Study Desk

For the husband who is not a convert is sanctified through the wife who is a convert, and the wife who is not a convert is sanctified through the husband who is a convert; otherwise, their children would be impure, but in such cases they are pure.

But if the one who is not a convert wishes to separate, let him separate. In such cases, a convert man or woman is free; for God has called us to live in peace.

For how do you know, O wife, that you shall save your husband? Or how do you know, O husband, that you shall save your wife?

But every man, according as the LORD has distributed to him, and every man, as God has called him, so let him walk. And this I command also for all the churches.

For circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the LORD''s commandments is everything.

For he who is called by our LORD, being a slave, is God''s free man; likewise he who is called, being a freeman, is also Christ''s servant.

And I suppose that this is good for the present necessity, therefore I say, It is better for a man to remain as he is.

And those who make use of this world should not abuse it, for the fashion of this world is passing away.

Therefore I would that you were free from worldly cares. For he who is unmarried, is concerned in the things of his master, so as to please his master.

I am saying this for your own benefit; I am not trying to snare or put a yoke on you, but I exhort you to be perfect before the LORD, and faithful without distraction.

NOW as concerning sacrifices offered to idols, we know well, that we all have knowledge; knowledge makes for pride, but love ennobles.

For though there are those that are called gods, whether in heaven or earth, just as there are many gods and many lords,

Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with clear conscience eat that which has been offered to idols as a sacrifice; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

But meat does not bring us closer to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither if we do not eat, are we the worse.

For if any one should see you, who has knowledge, at table in the temple of idols, shall not the conscience of him who is weak encourage him to eat that which is sacrificed to idols?

So the one who is weak and for whom Christ died will be lost through your indifference.

If I am not an apostle to others, yet to you I am: for you are the seal of my apostleship.

For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. Why? Is God concerned only for the ox?

No. It is known that he said it for our sakes and it was written for our sakes because the ploughman must plough in hope, and he who threshes, threshes in hope of the crop.

But I have used none of these privileges: neither have I written these things that it should be so done to me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should declare my pride in my teaching worthless.