Study Desk

I do the same thing. I try to please everyone in every way. I am not trying to do what is good for me. I am trying to do what is good for the most people so that they can be saved.

If a woman does not cover her head, it is the same as cutting off all her hair. But it is shameful for a woman to cut off her hair or to shave her head. So she should cover her head.

So that is why a woman should have her head covered with something that shows she is under authority. Also, she should do this because of the angels.

So if you eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in a way that does not fit its meaning, you are sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord.

But when the Lord judges us, he punishes us to show us the right way. He does this so that we will not be condemned with the world.

So, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for each other.

If some are too hungry to wait, they should eat at home. Do this so that your meeting together will not bring God's judgment on you. I will tell you what to do about the other things when I come.

So I tell you that no one who is speaking with the help of God's Spirit says, "Jesus be cursed." And no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," without the help of the Holy Spirit.

The foot might say, "I am not a hand, so I don't belong to the body." But saying this would not stop the foot from being a part of the body.

The ear might say, "I am not an eye, so I don't belong to the body." But saying this would not make the ear stop being a part of the body.

So there are many parts, but only one body.

God did this so that our body would not be divided. God wanted the different parts to care the same for each other.

I may have the gift of prophecy, I may understand all secrets and know everything there is to know, and I may have faith so great that I can move mountains. But even with all this, if I don't have love, I am nothing.

So these three things continue: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.

That's why you who want spiritual gifts so much should prefer those gifts that help the church grow stronger.

So those who have the gift of speaking in a different language should pray that they can also interpret what they say.

So what should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.

But in the church meetings I would rather speak five words that I understand than thousands of words in a different language. I would rather speak with my understanding, so that I can teach others.

The secret things in their heart will be made known. So they will bow down and worship God. They will say, "Without a doubt, God is here with you."

So, brothers and sisters, what should you do? When you meet together, one person has a song, another has a teaching, and another has a new truth from God. One person speaks in a different language, and another interprets that language. The purpose of whatever you do should be to help everyone grow stronger in faith.