Study Desk

To the Jews I became like a Jew to win the Jews. I myself am not ruled by the law. But to those who are ruled by the law I became like a person who is ruled by the law. I did this to win those who are ruled by the law.

To those who are without the law I became like a person who is without the law. I did this to win those people who are without the law. (But really, I am not without God's law—I am ruled by Christ's law.)

I am speaking to you as to reasonable people; judge for yourselves what I say.

If I eat the meal with thankfulness, why am I criticized because of something for which I thank God?

just as I, also, try to please everybody in every way. I am not trying to do what is good for me but what is good for most people so they can be saved.

The foot might say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not part of the body." But saying this would not stop the foot from being a part of the body.

The ear might say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not part of the body." But saying this would not stop the ear from being a part of the body.

I may speak in different languages of people or even angels. But if I do not have love, I am only a noisy bell or a crashing cymbal.

I may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret things of God and have all knowledge, and I may have faith so great I can move mountains. But even with all these things, if I do not have love, then I am nothing.

Those who think they are prophets or spiritual persons should understand that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.

All the other apostles are greater than I am. I am not even good enough to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

But God's grace has made me what I am, and his grace to me was not wasted. I worked harder than all the other apostles. (But it was not I really; it was God's grace that was with me.)

If Timothy comes to you, see to it that he has nothing to fear with you, because he is working for the Lord just as I am.

So none of you should treat Timothy as unimportant, but help him on his trip in peace so that he can come back to me. I am expecting him to come with the brothers.

I am happy that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come. You are not here, but they have filled your place.

I, Paul, am writing this greeting with my own hand.

From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am an apostle because that is what God wanted. Also from Timothy our brother in Christ. To the church of God in Corinth, and to all of God's people everywhere in Southern Greece:

I feel very sure of you and am very proud of you. You give me much comfort, and in all of our troubles I have great joy.

Even if my letter made you sad, I am not sorry I wrote it. At first I was sorry, because it made you sad, but you were sad only for a short time.

Now I am happy, not because you were made sad, but because your sorrow made you change your lives. You became sad in the way God wanted you to, so you were not hurt by us in any way.