Study Desk

I recommend to you Phebe our sister, who is a deaconess of the church at Kenchrea; receive her for Christ's sake,

salute the church that is in their house. salute my dear Epenetus, who is the first christian convert of Asia.

Gaius, with whom I lodge, who purveys for the church in general, salutes you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city salutes you; and Quartus a brother.

to the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who being sanctified by Christ Jesus, are saints by that vocation, to all that any where invoke the name of Jesus Christ, who is both their Lord and ours.

'tis for this end I have sent you Timothy, who is my dear disciple, and a faithful christian, who will inform you how I behave my self in every church where I teach the gospel of Christ.

for what have I to do to judge those who are without the church; but are not you to judge those that are within?

if then you have the cognizance of such matters, why do ye set those to judge who are despised by the church? I speak it to your shame.

flee licentiousness. no other sin that a man commits does affect the church as a body: but the licentious commits a fraud against the whole body to which he belongs.

give no offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.

for first, I hear, that when you come together in the church, you fall into parties; and I believe it is true of some of you.

what, have you no houses to eat and drink in? or have ye a contempt for the church of God, or is it to insult those who are in want? what shall I say to you? shall I commend such behaviour? I do not approve of it.

which God has placed in the church, first apostles, next prophets, then teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, assistants, governours, interpreters of languages.

he that speaks in an unknown tongue, edifies himself alone: but he that expounds, edifies the church.

I wish you all had the gift of languages, but rather that you expounded: for greater is he that expounds, than he that speaks unknown languages, except he interpret what he says, that the church may be edified by it.

But since there is emulation among you concerning spiritual gifts, seek to abound in the exercise of such gifts as tend most to the edification of the church.

yet in the church I had rather speak five words that convey my meaning to the instruction of others, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

when therefore the whole church is assembled, and all speak different languages, if such as are either unlearned, or are unbelievers should come in, will they not say you are all mad?

but if there be no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and tacitly address himself to God.

and if they desire to have information about any point, let them consult their husbands at home: for it does not become women to ask questions in the church.

for I am the meanest of the apostles, not worthy the name of an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.