Study Desk

When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.

When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.

So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.

You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.

What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods?

No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don't want you to participate with demons.

You say, "I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"—but not everything is beneficial.

I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you.

What? Don't you have your own homes for eating and drinking? Or do you really want to disgrace God's church and shame the poor? What am I supposed to say? Do you want me to praise you? Well, I certainly will not praise you for this!

If the foot says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand," that does not make it any less a part of the body.

And if the ear says, "I am not part of the body because I am not an eye," would that make it any less a part of the body?

For if I pray in tongues, my spirit is praying, but I don't understand what I am saying.

If you claim to be a prophet or think you are spiritual, you should recognize that what I am saying is a command from the Lord himself.

For I am the least of all the apostles. In fact, I'm not even worthy to be called an apostle after the way I persecuted God's church.

But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace.

What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever.

I am coming to visit you after I have been to Macedonia, for I am planning to travel through Macedonia.

When Timothy comes, don't intimidate him. He is doing the Lord's work, just as I am.

I am very glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have come here. They have been providing the help you weren't here to give me.

This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy. I am writing to God's church in Corinth and to all of his holy people throughout Greece.