Study Desk

If I partake in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

just as I try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.

If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body.

And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," that would not make it any less a part of the body.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

If, then, I do not know the meaning of someone's language, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and he is a foreigner to me.

If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord's command.

For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not in vain. No, I worked harder than all of them-yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

If Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is doing the Lord's work, just as I am.

No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, for I am expecting him along with the brothers.

I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.

Great is my confidence in you; great is my pride in you; I am filled with encouragement; in all our troubles my joy overflows.

I am not making a demand, but I am testing the sincerity of your love in comparison to the earnestness of others.

But I am sending the brothers in order that our boasting about you in this matter should not prove empty, but that you will be prepared, just as I said.

Now by the mildness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you-I, Paul, who am humble when face to face with you, but bold when away.

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. For I promised you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ.

I am afraid, however, that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent's cunning, your minds may be led astray from your simple and pure devotion to Christ.