Study Desk

Now that I am on my way to Spain, I hope to see you when I come your way and, after I have enjoyed your company for a while, to be sent on by you.Acts 15:3;">[xr]

Right now, however, I am going to Jerusalem to minister to the saints.Acts 19:21; 20:22; 24:17;">[xr]

who risked their necks for my life. I am thankful to them, and so are all the churches among the Gentiles.

For your obedience has become known to everyone, and I am full of joy for you. But I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.Matthew 10:16; Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 14:20;">[xr]

I thank GodI thank my God; still other mss. read I am thankful">[fn] that I did not baptize any of you except Chrispus and Gaius,Acts 18:8; Romans 16:23;">[xr]

Even though I am away from you physically, I am with you in spirit. I have already passed judgment on the man who did this, as though I were present with you.Colossians 2:5;">[xr]

But now I am writing to you to stop associating with any so-called brother if he is sexually immoral, greedy, an idolater, a slanderer, a drunk, or a robber. With such a person you must even stop eating.Matthew 18:17; Romans 16:17; Galatians 2:12; 2 Thessalonians 3:6,14; 2 John 1:1:10;">[xr]

I am free, am I not? I am an apostle, am I not? I have seen Jesus our Lord, haven't I? You are my work in the Lord, aren't you?Acts 9:3,15, 17; 13:2; 18:9; 23:11; 26:17; 1 Corinthians 3:6; 4:15; 15:8; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Galatians 2:7-8; 1 Timothy 2:7; 2 Timothy 1:11;">[xr]

If I am not an apostle to other people, surely I am one to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord!2 Corinthians 3:2; 12:12;">[xr]

I am not saying this on human authority, am I? The law says the same thing, doesn't it?

For if I do this voluntarily, I get a reward, but if I am unwilling to do it, I am still entrusted with an obligation.1 Corinthians 3:8,14; 4:1; Galatians 2:7; Philippians 1:17; Colossians 1:25;">[xr]

Although I am free from all people, I made myself a slave to all of them to win more of them.Matthew 18:15; 1 Corinthians 9:1; Galatians 5:13; 1 Peter 3:1;">[xr]

To the Jews I became like a Jew in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became like a man under the law, in order to win those under the law (although I myself am not under the law).Acts 16:3; 18:18; 21:23;">[xr]

To those who do not have the law I became like a man who does not have the law, in order to win those who do not have the law (although I am not free from God's law, but am under the law of Christ).Romans 2:12,14; 1 Corinthians 7:22; Galatians 3:2;">[xr]

I am talking to sensible people. Decide for yourselves what I am saying.1 Corinthians 8:1;">[xr]

Am I suggesting that an offering made to idols means anything, or that an idol itself means anything?1 Corinthians 8:4;">[xr]

If I eat with thankfulness, why should I be denounced because of what I am thankful for?Romans 14:6; 1 Timothy 4:3-4;">[xr]

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.1 Corinthians 4:16; Ephesians 5:1; Philippians 3:17; 1 Thessalonians 1:6; 2 Thessalonians 3:9;">[xr]

Now I am not praising you in giving you the following instructions. When you gather, it is not for the better but for the worse.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can understand all secrets and every form of knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains but have no love, I am nothing.Matthew 7:22; 17:20; Mark 11:23; Luke 17:6; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10,28; 14:1;">[xr]