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The 1st
Chapter
Paul by vocation an Apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of
God, and brother Sostenes.
Unto the congregation of God which is at Corinthum. To them
that are sanctified in Christ *Jesu, saints by calling, with all
that call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both
of theirs and of ours.
Grace be with you and peace from God our father, and from the
Lord Jesus Christ.
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God
which is given you by Jesus Christ, that in all things you are made
rich by him, in all learning and in all knowledge, even as the
testimony of Jesus Christ was confirmed in you, so that you are
behind in no gift, and wait for the appearing of our Lord Jesus
Christ which shall strength you unto the end, that you may be
blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. For God is faithful
by whom you are called unto the fellowship of his son Jesus Christ
our Lord. I beseech you brethren in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that you all speak one thing and that there be no dissension
among you: but be you knit to gether in one mind and in one meaning:
It is showed unto me (my brethren) of you, by them that are of the
house of Cloe, that there is strife among you. And this is it that I
mean: how that commonly among you, one says: I hold of Paul: another
I hold of Apollo: the third I hold of Cephas: the fourth that I hold
of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? either
were you baptised in the name of Paul? I thank God that I christened
none of you, but Crispus and Gaius, least any should say that I had
baptised in mine own name. I baptised also the house of Stephana.
Furthermore know I not whether I baptised any man or no.
For Christ sent me not to baptise, but to preach the Gospell,
not with wisdom of words, least the cross of Christ should have been
made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that
perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved it is the power of
God. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and
will cast away the understanding of the prudent. Where is the wise?
Where is the scribe? Where is the searcher of this world? Has not
God made the wisdom of this world foolishness?
For when the world through wisdom knew not God, in the wisdom
of God: it pleased God through foolishness of preaching to save them
that believe. For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after
wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews an occasion,
of falling, and unto the Greeks foolishness: but unto them which are
called both of Jews and Greeks, we preach Christ the power of God
and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men:
and the weakness of God is stronger than men. Brethren look on your
calling how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty,
not many of high degree are called: But God has chosen the foolish
things of the world, to confound the wise. And God has chosen the
weak things of the world, to confound things which are mighty. And
vile things of the world, and things which are despised has God
chosen, yes and things of no reputation, for to bring to nought
things of reputation, that no flesh should rejoice in his presence.
And unto him pertain ye, in Christ Jesu, which of God is made unto
us wisdom, and also righteousness, and sanctifying and redemption.
That according as it is written: he which rejoices, should rejoice
in the Lord.
*Jesu; Hebrew for Jesus |
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The 2nd
Chapter
And I brethren when I came to you, came not in gloriousness of
words or of wisdom, showing unto you the testimony of God. Neither
showed I myself that I knew any thing among you save Jesus Christ,
even the same that was crucified. And I was among you in weakness,
and in fear, and in much trembling. And my words and my preaching
were not with enticing words of mans wisdom: but in showing of the
spirit and of power that your faith should not stand in the wisdom
of men: but in the power of God.
That we speak of, is wisdom among them that are perfect: not
the wisdom of this world, neither of the rulers of this world (which
go to nought), but we speak the wisdom of God, which is in secret
and lies hid, which God ordained before the world, unto our glory:
which wisdom none of the rulers of the world knew. For had they
known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it
is written: The eye has not seen, and the ear has not heard, neither
have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has
prepared for them that love him.
But God has opened them unto us by his spirit. For the spirit
searches all things, you the bottom of Gods secrets. For what man
knows the things of a man: save the spirit of a man which is within
him? Even so the things of God knows no man, but the spirit of God.
And we have not received the spirit of the world: but the spirit
which comes of God, for to know the things that are given to us of
God, which things also we speak, not in the cunning words of mans
wisdom, but with the cunning words of the holy ghost, making
spiritual comparisons of spiritual things. For the natural man
perceives not the things of the spirit of God. For they are but
foolishness unto him. Neither can he perceive them, because he is
spiritually examined. But he that is spiritual, discusses all
things: yet he him self is judged of no man. For who knows the mind
of the Lord, other who shall inform him? But we understand the mind
of Christ.
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The 3rd
Chapter
And I could not speak unto you brethren as unto spiritual: but
as unto carnal, even as it were unto babes in Christ. I gave you
milk to drink and not meat. For you then were not strong, no neither
yet are. For you are yet carnal. As long verily as there is among
you envying, strife and dissension: are you not carnal, and walk
after the manner of men? As long as one says, I hold of Paul, and
another I am of Apollo, are you not carnal? What is Paul? What thing
is Apollo? Only ministers are they by whom you believed, even as the
Lord gave every man grace. I have planted: Apollo watered: but God
gave increase. So then, neither is he that plants any thing, neither
he that waters: but God which gave the increase. He that plants and
he that waters, are neither better than the other. Every man yet
shall receive his reward according to his labour. We are Gods
laborers, you are Gods husbandry, you are Gods building. According
to the grace of God given unto me, as a wise builder have I laid the
foundation. And another built there on. But let every man take heed
how he builds upon. For other foundation can no man lay, than that
which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man build on this
foundation, gold, silver, precious stones: timber, hay or stubble:
every mans work shall appear. For the day shall declare it, and it
shall be showed in fire. And the fire shall try every mans work,
what it is. If any mans work that he has built upon, bide, he shall
receive a reward. If any mans work burn, he shall suffer loss, but
he shall be safe himself: nevertheless yet as it were through fire.
Are you not *ware that you are the temple of God, and how that
the spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of
God, him shall God destroy. For the temple of God is holy, which
temple you are. Let no man deceive him self. If any man seem wise
among you, let him be a fool in this world, that he may be wise. For
the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written:
he compasses the wise in their craftiness. And again, God knows the
thoughts of the wise that they be vain. Therefore let no man rejoice
in men. For all things are yours, whether it be Paul, either Apollos,
either Cephas: whether it be the world, or life, either death,
whether they be present things or things to come: all are yours: and
you are Christs, and Christ is Gods.
*ware (aware)
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The 4th
Chapter
Let men this wise esteem us, even as the ministers of Christ,
and disposers of the secrets of God. Furthermore it is required of
the disposers that they be found faithful. With me is it but a very
small thing, that I should be judged of you, either of (mans day).
No, I judge not mine own self. I know *nought by myself: yet am I
not thereby justified. It is the Lord that judges me. Therefore
judge nothing before the time until the Lord come, which will
lighten things that are hid in darkness and open the counsels of the
hearts. And then shall every man have praise of God.
These things brethren I have described in mine own person and
Apollos, for your sakes, that you might learn by us, that no man
count of him self beyond that which is above written: that one swell
not against another for any mans cause. For who prefers you? What
have you, that you have not received? If you have received it, why
rejoice you as though you had not received it? Now you are full: now
you are made rich: you reign as kings without us: and I would to God
you did reign, that we might reign with you.
Me thinks that God has set forth us which are Apostles, for the
lowest of all, as it were men appointed to death. For we are a
gazing stock unto the world, and to the angels, and to men. We are
fools for Christs sake and you are wise through Christ. We are weak,
and you are strong. you are honorable, and we are despised. Even
unto this day we hunger and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted
with fists, and have no certain dwelling place, and labour working
with our own hands. We are reviled, and yet we bless. We are
persecuted, and suffer it. We are evil spoken of, and we pray. We
are made as it were the filthiness of the world, the off scouring of
all things, even unto this time.
I write not these things to shame you: but as my beloved sons I
warn you. For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ:
yet have you not many fathers. In Christ Jesu, I have begotten you
through the Gospell. Wherefore I desire you to follow me. For this
cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, which is my dear son and
faithful in the Lord, which shall put you in remembrance of my ways
which I have in Christ, even as I teach everywhere in all
congregations. Some swell as though I would come no more at you. But
I will come to you shortly, if God will: and will know, not the
words of them which swell, but the power: for the Kingdom of God is
not in words, but in power. What will you ? Shall I come unto you
with a rod, or else in love and in the spirit of meekness?
*nought
(nothing)
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The 5th
Chapter
There goes a common saying that there is fornication among you,
and such fornication as is not once named among the gentiles: that
one should have his fathers wife. And you swell, and have not rather
sorrowed, that he which has done this deed, might be put from among
you. For I verily as absent in body, even so present in spirit, have
determined already (as though I were present) of him that has done
this deed, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are
gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of the Lord Jesus
Christ, to deliver him unto Satan, for the destruction of the flesh,
that the spirit may be: saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
Your rejoicing is not good: know you not that a little leaven
sours the whole lump of dough? Purge therefore the old leaven, that
you may be new dough, as you are sweet bread. For Christ our *ester
lamb is offered up for us. Therefore let us keep holy day, not with
old leaven, neither with the leaven of maliciousness and wickedness:
but with the sweet bread of pureness and truth.
I wrote unto you in an epistle that you should not company with
fornicators. And I meant not at all of the fornicators of this
world, either of the covetous, or of extortioners, either of the
idolaters: for then must you needs have gone out of the world. But
now I write unto you, that you company not together, if any that is
called a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or a worshipper of
images, either a railer, either a drunkard, or an extortioner: with
him that is such see that you eat not. For what have I to do, to
judge them which are without? Do you not judge them that are within?
Them that are without, God shall judge. Put away from among you,
that evil person.
*ester lamb: exactly as it appears;
this is the Hebrew feast of sweet bread, and this lamb was offered
at the first passover in Egypt. |
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The 6th
Chapter
How dare one of you having business with another, go to law
under the wicked, and not rather under the saints? Do you not know
that the saints shall judge the world? If the world shall be judged
by you: are you not good enough to judge small trifles: know you not
how that we shall judge the angels? How much more may we judge
things that pertain to the life? If you have judgements of worldly
matters, take them which are despised in the congregation, and make
them judges. This I say to your shame. Is there utterly no wise man
among you? What not one at all, that can judge between brother and
brother, but one brother goes to law with another: and that under
the unbelievers?
Now therefore there is utterly a fault among you, because you
go to law one with another. Why rather suffer you not wrong? why
rather suffer (allow) you not yourselves to be robbed? No, you
yourselves do wrong, and rob: and that the brethren. Do you not
remember how that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of
God? Be not deceived. For neither fornicators, neither worshippers
of images, neither whoremongers, neither weaklings, neither abusers
of themselves with mankind, neither thieves, neither the covetous,
neither drunkards, neither cursed speakers, neither *pillers, shall
inherit the kingdom of God. And such were you verily: but you are
washed: you are sanctified: you are justified by the name of the
Lord Jesus, and by the spirit of our God.
All things are lawful unto me: but all things are not
profitable. I may do all things: but I will be brought under no mans
power. Meats are ordained for the belly, and the belly for meats:
but God shall destroy both it and them. Let not the body be applied
unto fornication, but unto the Lord, and the Lord unto the body. God
has raised up the Lord, and shall raise us up by his power.
Either remember you not, that your bodies are the members of
Christ? Shall I now take the members of Christ, and make them the
members of an harlot? God forbid. Do you not understand that he
which couples himself with an harlot, is become one body? For two
(says he) shall be one flesh. But he that is joined unto the Lord,
is one spirit.
Flee fornication. All sins that a man doth, are without the
body. But he that is a fornicator, sins against his own body. Either
know you not how that your bodies are the temple of the holy ghost,
which is in you, whom you have of God, and how that you are not your
own? For you are dearly bought. Therefore glorify you God in your
bodies and in your spirits, for they are Gods.
*pillers: those
that charge others excessively, as to pillage the people, what ever
the market will bear.
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The 7th
Chapter
As concerning the things whereof you wrote unto me: it is good
for a man, not to touch a woman. Nevertheless to avoid fornication,
let every man have his wife: and let every woman have her husband.
Let the man give unto the wife due *benevolence. Likewise also the
wife unto the man. The wife has not power over her own body: but the
husband. And likewise the man has not power over his own body: but
the wife. Withdraw not yourselves one from another, except it be
with consent for a time, for to give yourselves to fasting and
prayer. And afterward come again to the same thing, least Satan
tempt you for your *incontinence.
This I say of favour, not of commandment. For I would that all
men were as I myself am: but every man has his proper gift of God,
one after this manner, another after that. I say unto the unmarried
men and widows: it is good for them if they abide even as I do. But
and if they cannot abstain, let them marry. For it is better to
marry than to burn.
Unto the married command not I, but the Lord: that the wife
separate not herself from the man. If she separate herself, let her
remain unmarried or be reconciled unto her husband again. And let
not the husband put away his wife from him.
To the remnant speak I, and not the Lord. If any brother have a
wife that believes not, if she be content to dwell with him, let him
not put her away. And the woman which has to her husband an infidel,
if he consent to dwell with her, let her not put him away. For the
unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife and the unbelieving
wife is sanctified by the husband. Or else were your children
unclean: but now are they pure. But and if the unbelieving depart,
let him depart. A brother or a sister is not in subjection to such.
God has called us in peace. For how know you o woman, whether you
shall save that man or no? Other how know you o man whether you
shall save that woman or no? but even as God has distributed to
every man.
As the Lord has called every person, so let him walk: and so
ordain I in all congregations. If any man be called being
circumcised, let him add nothing thereto. If any be called
uncircumcised: let him not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing,
uncircumcision is nothing: but the keeping of the commandments of
God is altogether.
Let every man abide in the same state wherein he was called.
are you called a servant? care not for it. Nevertheless if you may
be free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord being a
servant is the Lords freeman. Likewise he that is called being free,
is Christs servant. you are dearly bought, be not mens servants.
Brethren let every man wherein he is called, therein abide with God.
As concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the Lord: yet
give I counsel, as one that has obtained mercy of the Lord to be
faithful. I suppose that it is good for the present necessity. For
it is good for a man so to be. are you bound unto a wife? seek not
to be loosed. are you loosed from a wife? seek not, a wife. But and
if you take a wife you sin not. Likewise if a virgin marry, she sins
not. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in their flesh: but I
favour you.
This say I brethren, the time is short. It remains that they
which have wives, be as though they had none, and they that weep be
as though they wept not: and they that rejoice, be as though they
rejoiced not: and they that buy, be as though they possessed not:
and they that use this world, be as though they used it not. For the
fashion of this world goes away. I would have you without care. The
single man cares for the things of the Lord, how he may please the
Lord. But he that has married, cares for the things of the world,
how he may please his wife. There is difference between a virgin and
a wife. The single woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she
may be pure both in body and also in spirit. But she that is
married, cares for the things of the world, how she may please her
husband. This speak I for your profit, not to tangle you in a snare:
but for that which is honest and comely unto you, and that you may
quietly cleave unto the Lord without separation.
If any man think that it is uncomely for his virgin, if she
pass the time of marriage, and if so need require, let him do what
he lists (inclined to do), he sins not: let them be coupled in
marriage. Nevertheless he that purposes surely in his heart, having
none need: but has power over his own will: and has so decreed in
his heart, that he will keep his virgin, does well. So then he that
joins his virgin in marriage does well. But he that joins not his
virgin in marriage, does better. The wife is bound to the law as
long as her husband lives. If her husband sleep, she is at liberty
to marry with whom she will, only in the Lord. But she is happier if
she so abide, in my judgement. And I think verily that I have the
spirit of God.
*benevolence (compassion, kindness)
*incontinence (not continuing) |
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The 8th
Chapter
To speak of things dedicate unto idols, we are sure that we all
have knowledge. Knowledge makes a man swell: but love edifies. If
any man think that he knows any thing, he knows nothing yet as he
ought to know. But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
To speak of meat dedicate unto idols, we are sure that there is
none idol in the world and that there is none other God but one. And
though there be that are called Goddes, whether in heaven or in
earth (as there be Godds many and lords many) yet unto us is there
but one God, which is the father, of whom are all things, and we in
him: and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things, and we by
him. But every man has not knowledge. For some suppose that there is
an idol until this hour, and eat as of a thing offered unto the
idol, and so their consciences being yet weak, are defiled. Meat
makes us not acceptable to God. Neither if we eat, are we the
better. Neither if we eat not, are we the worse.
But take heed that your liberty cause not the weak to fall. For
if some man see you which have knowledge, sit at meat in the idols
temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak, be boldened
to eat those things which are offered unto the idol? And so through
your knowledge shall the weak brother perish for whom Christ died.
When you sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak
consciences you sin against Christ. Wherefore if meat hurt my
brother, I will eat no flesh while the world stands, because I will
not hurt my brother.
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The 9th
Chapter
Am I not an Apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus
Christ our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord? If I be not an
Apostle unto other, yet am I unto you. For the seal of mine
Apostleship are you in the Lord. Mine answer to them that ask me, is
this. Have we not power to eat and to drink? Either have we not
power to lead about a sister to wife, as well as other Apostles, and
as the brethren of the Lord and Cephas? Either only I and Barnabas
have not power this to do? Who goes a warfare any time at his own
cost? Who plants a vineyard, and eats not of the fruit? Who feeds a
flock and eats not of the milk?
Say I these things after the manner of men? Or says not the law
the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses: You shall not
muzzle the mouth of the ox that treads out the corn. does God take
thought for oxen? Either says he it not all together for our sakes?
For our sakes no doubt this is written: that he which eareth, should
ear in hope: and that he which threshes in hope, should be partaker
of his hope. If we sow unto you spiritual things: is it a great
thing if we reap your carnal things? If other be partakers of this
power over you, wherefore are not we rather?
Nevertheless we have not used this power: but suffer all things
least we should hinder the Gospell of Christ. Do you not understand
how that they which minister in the temple, have their finding of
the temple? And they which wait at the altar, are partakers with the
altar. Even so also did the Lord ordain, that they which preach the
Gospell, should live of the Gospell. But I have used none of these
things.
Neither wrote I these things that it should be so done unto me.
For it were better for me to die, than any man should take this
rejoicing from me. In that I preach the Gospell, I have nothing to
rejoice of. For necessity is put unto me. Woe is it unto me if I
preach not the Gospell. If I do it with a good will I have a reward.
But if I do it against my will, an office is committed unto me. What
is my reward then? Verily that when I preach the Gospell, I make the
Gospell of Christ free, that I misuse not mine authority in the
Gospell.
For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself
servant unto all men, that I might win the more. Unto the Jewes, I
became as a Jewe, to win the Jews. To them that were under the law,
was I made as though I had been under the law, to win them that were
under the law. To them that were without law, became I as though I
had been without law (when I was not without law as pertaining to
God, but under a law as concerning Christ) to win them that were
without law. To the weak became I as weak, to win the weak. In all
things I fashioned myself to all men, to save at the least way some.
And this I do for the Gospells sake, that I might have my part
thereof.
Perceive you not how that they which run in a course, run all,
yet but one receives the reward? So run that you may obtain. Every
man that proves masteries, abstains from all things. And they do it
to obtain a corruptible crown: but we to obtain an uncorruptible
crown: I therefore so run, not as at an uncertain thing. So fight I,
not as one that beats the air: but I tame my body and bring it into
subjection, least after that I have preached to others, I myself
should be a castaway.
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The 10th Chapter
Brethren I would not that you should be ignorant of this, how
that our fathers were all under a cloud, and all passed through the
sea, and were all baptised under Moses, in the cloud and in the sea:
and did all eat of one spiritual meat, and did all drink of one
manner of spiritual drink. And they drank of that spiritual rock
that followed them, which rock was Christ. But in many of them had
God no delight. For they were overthrown in the wilderness.
These are examples to us that we should not lust after evil
things, as they lusted. Neither be you worshippers of images as were
some of them according as it is written: The people sat down to eat
and drink, and rose up again to play. Neither let us commit
fornication as some of them committed fornication, and were
destroyed in one day twenty three thousand. Neither let us tempt
Christ, as some of them tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
Neither murmur you as some of them murmured, and were destroyed of
the destroyer.
All these things happened upon them for examples, and were
written to put us in remembrance, whom the ends of the world are
come upon. Wherefore let him that thinks he stands, take heed least
he fall. There has none other temptation taken you, but such as
follows the nature of man. But God is faithful, which shall not
suffer you to be tempted above your strength: but shall in the midst
of the temptation make a way to escape out. Wherefore my dear
beloved, flee from worshipping of idols.
I speak as unto them which have *discretion, judge you what I
say. Is not the cup of blessing which we bless, partaking of the
blood of Christ? Is not the bread which we break, partaking of the
body of Christ? Because that we (though we be many) yet are one
bread, and one body in as much as we all are partakers of one bread.
Behold Israel which walks carnally: Are not they which eat of the
sacrifice, partakers of the altar?
What say I then? that the image is anything? or that it which
is offered to images is anything? No but I say, that these things
which the gentiles offer, they offer to devils, and not to God.
And I would not that you should have fellowship with the
devils. you cannot drink of the cup of the Lord, and of the cup of
the devils. you can not be partakers of the Lords table, and of the
table of devils. Either shall we provoke the Lord? Or are we
stronger then he? All things are lawful unto me, but all things are
not *expedient. All things are lawful to me, but all things edify
not. Let no man seek his own profit: but let every man seek anothers
wealth.
Whatsoever is sold in the market, that eat, and ask no
questions for conscience sake. For the earth is the Lords, and all
that therein is. If any of them which believe not, bid you to a
feast, and if you be disposed to go, whatsoever is set before you:
eat, asking no question for conscience sake. But and if any man say
unto you: this is dedicate unto idols, eat not of it for his sake
that showed it, and for hurting of conscience. The earth is the
Lords and all that therein is. Conscience I say, not thine: but the
conscience of that other. For why should my liberty be judged of
another mans conscience? For if I take my part with thanks: why am I
evil spoken of for that thing wherefore I give thanks?
Whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do
all to the praise of God. See that you give none occasion of evil,
neither to the Jewes, nor yet to the gentiles, neither to the
congregation of God: even as I please all men in all things, not
seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they might be
saved. Follow me as I do Christ.
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Chapters 1-10 |
11-end |
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