Study Desk

No! What I am saying is that what is sacrificed on pagan altars is offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be partners with demons.

If the foot were to say, "Because I am not a hand, I don't belong to the body," that would not keep it from being a part of the body.

And if the ear were to say, "Because I am not an eye, I don't belong to the body," that would not keep it from being a part of the body.

I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains—but if I have no love, I am nothing.

When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am an adult, I have no more use for childish ways.

If anyone supposes he is God's messenger or has a spiritual gift, he must realize that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command.

Last of all he appeared also to me—even though I am like someone whose birth was abnormal.

For I am the least of all the apostles—I do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted God's church.

But by God's grace I am what I am, and the grace that he gave me was not without effect. On the contrary, I have worked harder than any of the other apostles, although it was not really my own doing, but God's grace working with me.

If Timothy comes your way, be sure to make him feel welcome among you, because he is working for the Lord, just as I am.

No one should look down on him, but you must help him continue his trip in peace, so that he will come back to me; for I am expecting him back with the believers.

I am happy about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus; they have made up for your absence

That is why I wrote that letter to you—I did not want to come to you and be made sad by the very people who should make me glad. For I am convinced that when I am happy, then all of you are happy too.

I am so sure of you; I take such pride in you! In all our troubles I am still full of courage; I am running over with joy.

It was not only his coming that cheered us, but also his report of how you encouraged him. He told us how much you want to see me, how sorry you are, how ready you are to defend me; and so I am even happier now.

For even if that letter of mine made you sad, I am not sorry I wrote it. I could have been sorry when I saw that it made you sad for a while.

But now I am happy—not because I made you sad, but because your sadness made you change your ways. That sadness was used by God, and so we caused you no harm.

How happy I am that I can depend on you completely!

I am not laying down any rules. But by showing how eager others are to help, I am trying to find out how real your own love is.

I am not trying to relieve others by putting a burden on you; but since you have plenty at this time, it is only fair that you should help those who are in need. Then, when you are in need and they have plenty, they will help you. In this way both are treated equally.