Study Desk

Some of you are saying, "I am a follower of Paul." Others are saying, "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Peter," or "I follow only Christ."

Yet when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten.

When one of you says, "I am a follower of Paul," and another says, "I follow Apollos," aren't you acting just like people of the world?

I am not writing these things to shame you, but to warn you as my beloved children.

I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don't do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother.

Even though I am not with you in person, I am with you in the Spirit. And as though I were there, I have already passed judgment on this man

I am saying this to shame you. Isn't there anyone in all the church who is wise enough to decide these issues?

You say, "I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is good for you. And even though "I am allowed to do anything," I must not become a slave to anything.

But I wish everyone were single, just as I am. Yet each person has a special gift from God, of one kind or another.

So I say to those who aren't married and to widows—it's better to stay unmarried, just as I am.

But if you do get married, it is not a sin. And if a young woman gets married, it is not a sin. However, those who get married at this time will have troubles, and I am trying to spare you those problems.

I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

But in my opinion it would be better for her to stay single, and I think I am giving you counsel from God's Spirit when I say this.

Am I not as free as anyone else? Am I not an apostle? Haven't I seen Jesus our Lord with my own eyes? Isn't it because of my work that you belong to the Lord?

Even if others think I am not an apostle, I certainly am to you. You yourselves are proof that I am the Lord's apostle.

Am I expressing merely a human opinion, or does the law say the same thing?

Yet I have never used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that I want to start now. In fact, I would rather die than lose my right to boast about preaching without charge.

Yet preaching the Good News is not something I can boast about. I am compelled by God to do it. How terrible for me if I didn't preach the Good News!

Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.

When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.