Study Desk

Yet when we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned along with the world.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, when you gather for the Lord's Supper, wait for each other.

If you are really hungry, eat at home so you won't bring judgment upon yourselves when you meet together. I'll give you instructions about the other matters after I arrive.

So I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God will curse Jesus, and no one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit.

A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.

The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ.

And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect those parts that should not be seen,

while the more honorable parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together such that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.

This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.

So you should earnestly desire the most helpful gifts. But now let me show you a way of life that is best of all.

I wish you could all speak in tongues, but even more I wish you could all prophesy. For prophecy is greater than speaking in tongues, unless someone interprets what you are saying so that the whole church will be strengthened.

And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church.

So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said.

So you see that speaking in tongues is a sign, not for believers, but for unbelievers. Prophecy, however, is for the benefit of believers, not unbelievers.

Even so, if unbelievers or people who don't understand these things come into your church meeting and hear everyone speaking in an unknown language, they will think you are crazy.

In this way, all who prophesy will have a turn to speak, one after the other, so that everyone will learn and be encouraged.

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and don't forbid speaking in tongues.

So it makes no difference whether I preach or they preach, for we all preach the same message you have already believed.

So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man.

Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God's authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.