Study Desk

I am thankful to God all the time for you. I am thankful for the loving-favor God has given to you because you belong to Christ Jesus.

I hear that some of you are saying, "I am a follower of Paul," and "I am a follower of Apollos," and "I am a follower of Peter," and "I am a follower of Christ."

I am thankful to God that I baptized Crispus and Gaius only.

When one says, "I am a follower of Paul," and another says, "I am a follower of Apollos," does not this sound like the talk of baby Christians?

As for me, my heart tells me I am not guilty of anything. But that does not prove I am free from guilt. It is the Lord Who looks into my life and says what is wrong.

Christian brothers, I have used Apollos and myself to show you what I am talking about. This is to help you so you will not think more of men than what God's Word will allow. Never think more of one of God's servants than another.

I do not write these things to shame you. I am doing this to help you know what you should do. You are my much-loved children.

You may have 10,000 Christian teachers. But remember, I am the only father you have. You became Christians when I preached the Good News to you.

Some of you are full of pride. You think that I am not coming to visit you.

I am far from you. Even if I am not there, my spirit is with you. I have already said that the man is guilty of this sin. I am saying this as if I were there with you.

I am allowed to do all things, but not everything is good for me to do! Even if I am free to do all things, I will not do them if I think it would be hard for me to stop when I know I should.

Do you not know that your bodies are a part of Christ Himself? Am I to take a part of Christ and make it a part of a woman who sells the use of her body? No! Never!

This is what I think. I am not saying you must do it.

I wish everyone were as I am, but each has his own gift from God. One has one gift. Another has another gift.

This is what I say to those who are not married and to women whose husbands have died. It is good if you do not get married. I am not married.

I am saying these things to help you. I am not trying to keep you from getting married. I want you to do what is best. You should work for Him without other things taking your time.

Am I not a missionary? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are you not Christians because of the work I have done for the Lord?

Other people may not think of me as a missionary, but you do. It proves I am a missionary because you are Christians now.

I have not used any of these things. I am not writing now to get anything. I would rather die than lose the joy of preaching to you without you paying me.

If I do this because I want to, I will get my reward. If I do not want to do it, I am still expected to do it.