Study Desk

What am I saying, Christian brothers? When you meet together for worship, some of you have a song to sing. Some of you want to teach and some have special words from God. Some of you speak in special sounds and some of you tell what they mean. Everything should be done to help those who are meeting together to grow strong as Christians.

If they want to find out about something, they should ask their husbands at home. It is a shame for a woman to speak in a church meeting.

First of all, I taught you what I had received. It was this: Christ died for our sins as the Holy Writings said He would.

For I am the least important of all the missionaries. I should not be called a missionary because I made it so hard for God's church.

I am different now. It is all because of what God did for me by His loving-favor. His loving-favor was not wasted. I worked harder than all the other missionaries. But it was not I who worked. It was God's loving-favor working through me.

What good will it do people if they are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised, why are people baptized for them?

I say this, Christian brothers, I have joy in what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for you. That is why I face death every day.

As men look at it, what good has it done for me in the city of Ephesus to fight with men who act like wild animals? If the dead are not raised, we might as well be like those who say, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

We have these human bodies first. Then we are given God-like bodies that are ready for heaven.

For sure, I am telling you a secret. We will not all die, but we will all be changed.

In a very short time, no longer than it takes for the eye to close and open, the Christians who have died will be raised. It will happen when the last horn sounds. The dead will be raised never to die again. Then the rest of us who are alive will be changed.

But God is the One Who gives us power over sin through Jesus Christ our Lord. We give thanks to Him for this.

So then, Christian brothers, because of all this, be strong. Do not allow anyone to change your mind. Always do your work well for the Lord. You know that whatever you do for Him will not be wasted.

I want to tell you what to do about the money you are gathering for the Christians. Do the same as I told the churches in the country of Galatia to do.

I want to visit you after I have gone through the country of Macedonia for I am going through there.

If Timothy comes, receive him and help him so he will not be afraid. He is working for the Lord as I am.

You know that the families of Stephanas were the first Christians in the country of Greece. They are working for the Lord in helping His people.

They have made me happy. They would have made you happy also. Show them you are thankful for their help.

This letter is from Paul. I have been chosen by God to be a missionary for Jesus Christ. Timothy is here with me and is writing to you also. We are writing to God's church in the city of Corinth and to all of God's people in the country of Greece.

As we have suffered much for Christ and have shared in His pain, we also share His great comfort.