Study Desk

I think therefore it is best, considering the present distress, I say, it is best, for a single person to continue so still.

are you contracted to a wife? seek not to be disengag'd. are you disengag'd from your wife? don't look out for another;

not that it is a sin for you to marry; nor is it so if a virgin marry; but they that do, will be troubled for their relations, and that I would prevent.

and they that possess this world, as those that can't make an ill use of it. for the scene of this world is continually shifting. I would have you free from anxiety.

And this I say for your particular advantage, not to lay any constraint upon you, but as that which is most suitable to a state of uninterrupted attendance upon religion.

for tho' there are several titular deities, both in heaven and on earth: such as the whole crowd of gods, and lords among the Gentiles;

But every one has not this knowledge: for some still imagine the idol represents a deity: and eat the meat under the notion of an offering to such a being: by which erroneous opinion they are infected with idolatry.

for if any man see you who have a just notion of idols, sitting at table in their temple, will not the person who is wrong in his notions be incouraged to eat what is offered to idols, tho' contrary to his own opinion?

so that your notions may endanger the life of thy weak brother, for whom Christ died.

if I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for your being christians is the proof of my apostleship.

for it is written in the law of Moses , "thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn." are oxen the objects of divine care?

or is it said, no doubt, for our sakes? for our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he who plows should plow in hope; and that he who thresheth should expect the advantage.

if for your benefit we have sown spirituals, is it so extraordinary if we should reap some benefit from your temporals?

but I have not made use of these advantages. neither have I writ this to obtain such maintenance: for I had rather die for want, than be deprived of such matter of glorying.

for in barely preaching the gospel, I have nothing to glory in: because I am under an obligation to do it; yea, wo is unto me if I preach not the gospel.

for tho' I am independent of all men, yet have I subjected myself to all, that I might gain the more.

and I do all for the gospel's sake, that I may share in the benefits thereof.

every one that strives for the mastery, is extremely temperate: now, they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible one.

and all drank the same spiritual drink: (for they drank of what flowed from the spiritual rock: and that rock was Christ.)

but with the greater part God was not well pleased: for their carcasses were strown in the wilderness.