Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians

Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians




1 [1-3] From Paul, who am called to be a follower of Yeshua the Christ, through the will of God, and Sosthenes, our coworker, to the church of God, which is at Corinth, to those who are set apart in Christ Yeshua, called to be Christians, with everyone everywhere who call on the Name of Yeshua, our Christ, both theirs and ours: May God’s grace and peace be with you, from the God we’re from, and from Yeshua the Christ.

[4-9] I thank my God always for you, for God’s grace which was given to you by Yeshua the Christ; who blessed you in everything, both in all your words, and in all your knowledge. This is proof of what you say about having Christ; so that you don’t lack any gift, while waiting for the coming of our Christ Yeshua: Who will also prove you to the end, so that you can be found without fault in the day of our Christ Yeshua. God is faithful, who called you to the church of God’s Child, Yeshua our Christ.



Denominations and Sects Forbidden

[10-17] Now I beg you, Christians, by the Name of our Christ Yeshua, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no disagreements among you; but that you be completely joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment, because it has been told me of you, my Christians, by those who are from the house of Chloe, that there are disagreements among you. Now I say this, that all of you are saying, “I am of Paul;” or “I am of Apollos;” or “I am of Peter;” or “I am of Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul put to death for you? Or were you baptized in the Name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius, in case anyone should say that I had baptized them in my own name. I did baptize the family of Stephanas also, but besides that, I don’t know if I baptized anyone else. Christ didn’t send me to baptize, but to preach the New Word: not with any great words of wisdom, in case the cross of Christ would have no effect.



The Preaching of the Cross is Stupidity to Unbelievers

[18-31] The preaching of the cross is stupidity to those who are dying; but to us, which are saved, it’s the power of God. The Word says, “I’ll silence the wisdom of the wise, and bring to stupidity the understanding of the sensible.” Where are the wise Ones? Where are the lawyers? Where are the debaters of this world? Hasn’t God made the wisdom of this world stupid? Since the world couldn’t know God by it’s own wisdom, in God’s wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe by the seeming stupidity of preaching. The Jews want physical proof, and the Greeks want wisdom: But when we preach Christ put to death, it’s confusion to the Jews, and pure stupidity to the Greeks; but to those who are saved, of any race, Christ is the power and wisdom of God. And even the stupidity of God is wiser than that of humanity; and the weakness of God is stronger than that of humanity. So you see of your calling, Christians, how that few wise ones, few powerful ones, and few proud ones out of humanity are called: But God has chosen the stupid things of the world to puzzle the wise; and God has chosen the weak things of the world to defeat the things which are powerful; And the dishonorable things of the world, and things which are hated, God has chosen, yes, and things which aren’t, to bring to nothing the things that are: So that nobody would be prideful in the presence of God. But by God, you are in Christ Yeshua, who is our wisdom, our goodness, our setting apart and blessing, and our saving; so that, like the Word says, “Whoever is prideful, let them be proud in God.”



Spiritual Discernment

2 [1-8] Christians, when I came to you, I didn’t come with great speech or wisdom, telling you the Word of God, because I decided not to teach anything to you, except Yeshua the Christ, and the Christ put to death. And I was with you in weakness and fear, trembling greatly. My speech and my preaching wasn’t with the tempting words of humanity's wisdom, but in the showing of the Spirit and of power: So that your faith wouldn’t stand in the wisdom of humanity, but in the power of God. But we speak wisdom to those who have become strong in the faith. Still, not the wisdom of this world, nor of the powers of this world, which will all come to nothing, but we speak the wisdom of God as a secret, yes, the hidden wisdom, which God set apart before the world was created for our victory: Which none of the rulers of this world knew, because if they had known it they wouldn’t have put the Christ of victory to death.

[9-16] But as the Word says, “No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of any person imagined what has been prepared for those who love God.” But God has revealed these truths to us by the Spirit because the Spirit knows everything, yes, even the secrets of God. Who knows what is in someone, except the spirit of that person, which is in them? Like this, no one knows the things of God, but the Spirit of God. Now we have, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit, which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God. Which we also speak, not in the Words which human wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches; judging spiritual things against things that are spiritual. But the natural person doesn’t accept the things of the Spirit of God because it doesn’t make sense to them. Nor can they understand it, because they’re spiritually dead. But whoever is spiritually alive judges everything right, but still, they themselves aren’t judged rightly by anyone. “Who knows the mind of God, that they may teach God?” But we have the knowledge of the mind of Christ.



Denominations and Sects Forbidden Again

3 [1-7] Christians, I couldn’t speak to you as to the spiritually alive, but as to earthly people, just like new babies in Christ. So I’ve fed you with milk, and not with solid food, because to this point you weren’t able to have it, nor are you able to yet, because you’re still earthly. While there’s jealousy, strife, and disagreements among you, aren’t you earthly, and walk as earthly people? While one says, “I am of Paul;” and another says, “I am of Apollos;” Aren’t you still being earthly? So who is Paul and who is Apollos then, but the ministers who brought you to faith, just as God gave to everyone? I’ve planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then the one who plants is nothing, nor the one who waters; but only God who gives the harvest.

[8-17] Now whoever plants and whoever waters are one and the same and will all be rewarded for their own work. We’re all coworkers with God: you’re God's farmer’s, you’re God's builders. For God’s grace, which has been given to me, as a wise master-builder, I’ve laid the foundation, and someone else built on it. But let everyone be careful how they build on it. No one can lay any other foundation than what has already been laid, which is Yeshua the Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or stubble; It will become plain what every person's work is because it will be clearly seen on that day, becoming exposed by the fire, which will try everyone's work to see what kind it is. If anyone builds on a work, which isn’t burned, they’ll get a reward. But if someone’s work is burned, they’ll lose their reward, though they themselves will be saved; but still as though by fire. Don’t you know that you’re God’s place of worship, and that the Spirit of God lives in you? So if anyone makes God’s place of worship unfit, God will put them to death, because God’s place of worship is holy, which you are.

[18-23] Let no one mislead themselves. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this world, let them become like an idiot, so that they can be wise; because the wisdom of this world is stupidity with God. The Word says, “God catches the wise in their own scheming.” And again, “Yahweh God knows that the thoughts of the wise are meaningless.” So let no one be prideful about these human beings, because everything is yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Peter, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all these are yours; And you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.



Ministers of Christ

4 [1-7] So let people think of us as the ministers of Christ and managers of the secrets of God. Besides this, it’s required of managers to be found faithful. But it doesn’t matter to me that I’m judged by you, or by a human system of judgment: yes, and I don’t even judge my own self, because I don’t know everything myself; still I’m not excused by this: but the One who judges me is God. So don’t judge anything before Christ comes, who will bring both the hidden things of darkness out into the light, and will make plain the thoughts of the hearts and then each one of us will be praised by God. And this, Christians, I’ve symbolically shifted to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; so that you might learn through us not to think in human terms above what is written, that none of you become prideful one over another. And who makes you different from one another? And what do you have that you weren’t given? Now if you did accept it, why do you brag, as if you hadn’t been given it?



Ministers Made Examples to the World

[8-21] Now you’re full and rich, and you’ve ruled as rulers without us, and I hope to God that you do rule that we might also rule with you. But I think that God has put us followers last, as if we were chosen for death because we’re made an example to the world, both to angels, and to human beings. We make ourselves foolish for Christ's sake, but you’re wise in Christ; We're weak, but you’re strong; You’re respectable, but we're disrespected. Even to this day, we hunger, thirst, and are poorly clothed, and are beaten, and have no real home; And we work, working with our own hands; being hated, we bless; being abused, we suffer it; being defamed, we plead. And we’re made as the filth of the world, and are the trash of all to this day. I don’t write this to shame you, but as my dear loved children, I warn you. Even though you may have many teachers in Christ, still, you’ve only one who bore you, because in Christ Yeshua, you were born through me through the New Word. So I beg you, follow me. Because of this, I have sent Timothy to you, who is my own Child that I love, and faithful in God, who will bring you into remembrance of my ways which are in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church. Now some are prideful, as though I wouldn’t come to you. But I’ll come to you shortly, if God wills it, and then I will know, not the words of those who are prideful, but the power, because the realm of God isn’t in word, but in power. What do you want? For me to come to you with force, or in love, and in the spirit of gentleness?



Immorality Destroys the Church

5 [1-5] It’s commonly told that there’s sexual sin among you, and such sexual sin as isn’t so much as named among the other peoples, that one would have the spouse of one of their parents. And you’re prideful, instead of crying over this, that the one who has done this might be taken away from among you. The truth is, being absent in body, but present in spirit, I have judged already, as though I were present, about those who have done this. In the Name of our Christ Yeshua, when you’re gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Christ Yeshua, let Satan have such as this until they ruin their body, so that the spirit might be saved in the day of Christ Yeshua.

[6-8] Your bragging isn’t good. Don’t you know that just a little yeast leavens the whole lump of dough? So put out the ones who remain in their earthly ways, so that you can become a new lump of dough, as if you’re unleavened. Even Christ, our Passover, is sacrificed for us: So let’s keep the celebration, not with the leaven of our old ways, nor with the leaven of hatred and evil; but with the unleavened bread of honesty and truth.



Immorality is to be Judged by the Church and Separated from the Assembly

[9-13] I wrote to you before in a letter not to keep company with the sexually immoral: Yet you can’t stay away from the sexually immoral of this world totally, or with the selfish, or cheats, or with those who worship falsely, because then you would need to completely leave the world. But I’ve written to you not to keep company with anyone called a Christian, who is a sexually immoral person, or is selfish, or worships other faiths, or is abusive, or a drunk, or a cheat; so don’t keep company with these kinds of people. I’ve no business judging those that aren’t in the faith. I only judge those who are thought of as Christians. But those who aren’t in the faith God judges. So separate those evil people from among you.



Taking Legal Actions Against Christians

6 [1-11] If you have something against another, dare you take legal action in the earthly courts, instead of bringing it before the church? Don’t you know that the Christians will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, aren’t you worthy to judge things like this? Don’t you know that we’ll judge angels? How much more then, should we judge things that concern this life? If then you make judgments of things concerning this life, set them to judge who are least valued in the church. I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there isn’t a wise person among you? No, not even one, who will be able to judge between one another? But someone takes legal action against another, and that to the courts of unbelievers! So there’s quite a fault among you, because you take legal action against one another. Why don’t you instead take wrong? Why don’t you instead let yourselves to be taken advantage of? But no, you do wrong, and take advantage of one another. Don’t you know that the ungodly won’t inherit the realm of God? Don’t be misled: Neither the sexually immoral, nor those who worship falsely, nor those who are sexually unfaithful, nor cross-dressers, nor those who are homosexual, nor thieves, nor selfish, nor drunks, nor haters, nor cheats, will inherit the realm of God. And some of you were like this, but now you’re clean and have a changed life; but now you’re set apart; but now you’re made right in the Name of Yeshua the Christ and by the Spirit of our God.



Give God Body and Spirit

[12-20] All things are legal to me, but everything isn’t good for me. Even though everything is legal for me, I won’t be controlled by anything. Food is for the body, and the body needs food: but God will put an end to both. Now the body isn’t for sexual sin, but for God; and the body needs God. And God, who has brought Christ back to life, will also bring us back to life with great power. Don’t you know that your bodies are the members of Christ’s body? Should I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a sexually immoral person? Never! Don’t you know that whoever is joined to a sexually immoral person is one body? The Christ said, when two are joined, they will become as one body. But whoever is joined to God is one spirit. So run from sexual sin! Every sin that someone does is outside the body; but whoever takes part in sexual sin sins against their own body. Don’t you know that your body is the place of worship of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which you have from God? You aren’t even your own, because you were bought for a price. So give God your body, and your spirit, which are both God's.



On Marriage

7 [1-7] Now about the things in which you wrote to me: It’s good for someone not to be sexually active. But just the same, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband to keep away from sexual sin. Let the husband give to the wife what is rightfully due her, and the same also the wife to the husband. The wife doesn’t have complete control of her own body, but the husband shares it; and the same also, the husband doesn’t have complete control of his own body, but the wife shares it. So don’t cheat one another out of affection, unless it be with agreement for a specific time, so that you can willingly going without food and pray; then come together again, so that Satan doesn’t tempt you for your lack of faithfulness. I give you permission for this, but I don’t command it. I wish that everyone were just like I am. But everyone has their own gift of God, one person has one gift, and someone else has another gift.



Live as You are Called

[8-24] So I say to the unmarried, the widows, and the widowers, it’s good for them if they can live without being sexually active just as I do. But if they can’t control themselves, let them marry again because it’s better to marry than to be continually tempted with sexual immorality. And I say to the married, but not I, God, the wife shouldn’t leave her husband; but if she must leave, let her stay single, or make up with her own husband; and the husband shouldn’t divorce his wife. But to the rest, and this is what I think, but it’s not God’s command: If any Christian man has a wife that doesn’t believe, and she is pleased to live with him, he shouldn’t divorce her. And the Christian woman who has a husband that doesn’t believe, and that is pleased to live with her, let her not leave him. Because the unbelieving husband is set apart by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is set apart by the husband: or else your children would be ungodly; but now they’re blessed. But if the unbeliever leaves, let them leave. A Christian brother or sister isn’t trapped in such cases, because God has called us to be in peace. And how do you know, wife, whether you’ll save your husband? Or how do you know, husband , whether you’ll save your wife? But use the gifts that God has given to you, and stay just as you were called by God. And I ordain this in all the churches. If someone is called in a higher social standing, don’t let them look for lower social standing. If someone is called in a lower social standing, then don’t let them look for a higher social standing. What situation you are in is unimportant, but the keeping of the Words of God is what is truly important. Let everyone live the same way they were called. Are you called being a hired worker? Don’t worry about it, but if you can become free to do your own business, then take the chance to do that instead. Because whoever is called in God, being a worker, is free in God. In the same way also, whoever is called, being free, is Christ's worker. You’re bought with a price; so don’t work for what ungodly people want. Christians, let everyone else live in God just as they were called.



On the Unmarried and the Widows

[25-40] Now about those who have never been sexually active, I have no Word of God, but still I give my judgment, as someone that has found the mercy of God to be faithful. I think that this is good for the present problem, I say, that it’s good for someone to be like one who has never been sexually active. Are you married? Don’t look to be separated. Are you separated from a spouse? Don’t look for a spouse. But if you do marry, you haven’t sinned; and if those who have never been sexually active get married, they haven’t sinned. Just the same, they’ll have trouble in the physical realm, but I would like to spare them that. But I say this, Christians, the time left is short; so those who have spouses should be as though they didn’t have one; And those who cry, as though they didn’t cry; and those who celebrate, as though they didn’t celebrate; and those who buy, as though they didn’t have anything; And those who use this world, as not abusing it, because the way of this world is coming to an end. But I wouldn’t have you worry. Whoever is unmarried cares for the things that concern God, and how they can please God; but whoever is married cares for the things that are of the world, and how they can please their spouses. There’s a difference also between a married person and one who has never been sexually active. The unmarried cares for the things of God, so that they can be holy both in body and in spirit; but whoever is married cares for the things of the world, how they can please their spouses. I say this for your own good; not that I want to limit you, but to tell you what is acceptable, and so that you can serve God without being pulled in two different directions at once. But if anyone thinks that they behaved unwisely toward their promised one, if their youth is passing them by, and their needs demand it, then let them do whatever they have vowed in their heart. But if they can keep the one who has never been sexually active pure, they do well. So then whoever gives themselves in marriage does well; but whoever doesn’t give themselves in marriage does better. A spouse is bound by law as long as the other spouse lives; but if one spouse dies, the other is free to be married to whoever they want, as long as they are both Christians. But they’ll be happier if they live as I have said: and I think that I do have the Spirit of God.



Don’t Use Your Freedom to Harm Others’ Consciences

8 [1-13] Now about things used for the worship of other faiths, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge is full of self-importance, but love builds up others. And if anyone thinks that they know anything, they don’t know anything as they should. But if anyone loves God, this person is known by God. As about the eating of what is offered in worship of other faiths, we know that something worshiped falsely isn’t anything in the world but a statue, and that there’s no other God but One. Though there are other things that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there are many gods, and many saviors,) there’s only One God to us, the God, who is the Creator of everything, and we’re in God; and have One Savior, Yeshua the Christ, through whom everything exists, and we live through Christ. But everyone doesn’t have that knowledge, because some with consciences of the false worship still to this time, eat it as a thing used to worship something falsely; and their consciences being weak are ruined. But food doesn’t commit us to God, because if we eat, we aren’t any better; and if we don’t eat, we aren’t any worse. But be careful that this freedom of yours doesn’t become a problem in some way to those who are weaker. So if anyone who has knowledge takes a meal in their place of false worship, won’t the conscience of those who are weak be encouraged to eat what is offered in false worship; And through your knowledge won’t the weak Christian be ruined, for whom Christ died? But when you sin this way against the Christians, and wound their weak consciences, you sin against Christ. So if certain foods makes me offend other Christians, then I won’t eat it while the world is still here, because I might offend another Christian.



On the Rights of A Follower of Christ

9 [1-10] Am I not a follower? Am I not free? Haven’t I seen Yeshua the Christ, our Savior? Aren’t you my work in God? If I am not a follower to others, still doubtless, I am to you, because you’re the proof of my work in God. My answer to those who question me is this: Don’t we have the right to eat and to drink? Don’t we have the right to take with us a spouse, too, as the other followers do, and as the families of Yeshua, and Peter do? Or do only Barnabas and I have no right to take time off? Who goes to fight at their own expense? Who plants a garden and doesn’t eat its fruit? Or who feeds a herd, and doesn’t drink the milk from the herd? Do I say this as just a person? Or doesn’t the Word of God say the same things also? The Word of God says by Moses, “You shouldn’t muzzle the mouth of the cow that treads out the grain.” Doesn’t God take care of the cow? Or was it said for our own sakes? It was said for our sakes, no doubt, because it’s written that “Whoever plows should plow in hope; and that “Whoever threshes in hope, should get from what they had hoped.”



Give the New Word of Christ without Charge

[11-19] If we’ve sown to you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we reap your earthly things? If others have this right over you, shouldn’t we have more right than they? Just the same, we haven’t even used this right; but suffer through everything, so we won’t hinder the New Word of Christ. Don’t you know that those who minister in holy things live off the things from the place of worship? And those who serve at the altar take from what is brought to the altar? Just like this, God has said that those who preach the New Word would live off of preaching the New Word. But I’ve used none of these rights, nor have written this, that it would be this way to me, because it would be better for me to die, than for anyone to make my bragging of no use. Though I preach the New Word, I don’t have anything to brag about, because it’s necessary for me; yes, how sorry I would be, if I didn’t preach the New Word! But if I do this thing willingly, I’ll get a reward, but if it is against my will, I’ve been trusted with the responsibility of the New Word. What is my reward then? The truth is, that when I preach the New Word, I give the New Word of Christ without charge, so that I don’t abuse my power in the New Word. And though I am free from everyone, still I have made myself worker to all, so that my reward will be greater.



On Self-Control

[20-27] And to the Jews I became like a Jew, that I might win over the Jews; to those who are bound by the Law, as though I were bound by the Law, that I might win those who are bound by the Law; And to those who are without law, as without law, (not being without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became as the weak, that I might win the weak: I become everything to everybody, so that I might in some way save some. And I do this for the New Word's sake, that I might shared in it with you. Don’t you know that those who run in a race all run, but only one wins the prize? So run to win. And everyone that wants to win is paced in everything. Now they do it to get a prize that won’t last; but we work for an everlasting prize. I so run with a purpose; and I fight, not as someone that only swings at the air: But I use self-control, in case in some way, after I’ve preached to others, I myself would be rejected.



Examples of Sin from the Old Agreement

10 [1-13] Besides this, Christians, I want you to know of how all our ancestors walked under the cloud, and walked through the sea; And all of them were baptized to Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And all of them ate the same spiritual food; And all drank the same spiritual drink because they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ. But God wasn’t pleased with many of them so they died out in the countryside. Now these were our examples, so that we wouldn’t want the evil things that they wanted. So don’t be like those who worship falsely, as some of them were; as the Word says, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and got up to play around.” So don’t join in sexual sin, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand of them fell in one day. And don’t tempt Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. And don’t whisper complaints, as some of them did, and were killed by the One who destroys all. Now all this happened to them for our example: and they’re written for our warning, on us who the end of the world now comes. So let those who thinks they stand be careful in case they fall. You will face no temptation but what is common to all humanity; but God is faithful, who won’t let you be tempted more than what you’re able to handle; but will make a way for you to escape along with the temptation, so that you will be able to handle it.



On False Worship

[14-24] So, my dear loved ones, stop worshiping falsely. I speak as to the wise; so judge what I say. Isn’t the sharing of the blood of Christ the cup of blessing which we bless? Isn’t the sharing of the body of Christ the bread which we break? And we being many are one bread, and one body, because we’re all one who have taken part of that One bread. Look at Israel. Aren’t those who eat of the sacrifices those who have taken part in the worship at the altar? What am I saying then? That something worshiped falsely is anything, or what is offered in sacrifice to statues is anything? But what I am saying is that the things which the other peoples sacrifice, they sacrifice to evil spirits, and not to God; and I don’t want you to have anything to do with evil spirits. You can’t drink the cup of Christ, and the cup of evil spirits. You can’t share in God's table, and in the table of evil spirits. Aren’t we provoking God to jealousy? Are we stronger than God? I have a right to do anything, but everything isn’t needed; And though I have a right to do anything, everything isn’t for the best. Don’t look out only for your own good, but everyone should look out for the good of one another.



Do Your Best to Offend No One

[25-33] So eat whatever is sold in the meat market, and for the sake of your conscience, don’t ask any questions, because the whole earth is God's, and everything in it. And if any of those who don’t believe call you to a celebration, and you want to go; eat whatever is set before you, and don’t ask any questions for the sake of your conscience. But if anyone says to you, “This is offered in sacrifice for false worship;” don’t eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience sake, because the earth is God's, and everything in it. When I say conscience, I mean the other person’s, because why should my freedom be judged by another person's conscience? Because if I, by grace, am one who has shared, why am I evil spoken of for what I give thanks? So whether you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all in praise of God. Do your best to offend no one, not the Jews, nor the other peoples, nor the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything, not looking out for my own good only, but for the good of many, so that they might be saved.



On Order of Public Worship

11 [1-16] Be followers of me, just as I am of Christ also. Christians, I praise you because you remember me in everything, and willingly do what I have told you. But I want you to know, that man’s power comes from Christ; and the woman’s power comes from the man; and Christ’s power comes from God. Every man praying or preaching, having their head covered, dishonors their authority. But every woman that prays or preaches with her bare head dishonors her authority, because that is just as if her head was shaved. If the woman isn’t covered, she may as well be shaved. So if it’s shameful for a woman to have her head shaved, she should be covered as well. Men shouldn’t cover their head, because they’re a picture and reflection of God: but woman is the reflection of man. The man isn’t from the woman; but the woman from the man. And the man wasn’t created for the woman; but the woman to be the helper of the man. Because of this, the woman should have a symbol of authority on her head when she prays or preaches because of the angels who are present. Just the same, the man isn’t free from the woman, nor the woman free from the man, in God. Just as the woman is of the man, in the same way the man is also by the woman; but everything is of God. Judge for yourselves: is it good for a woman to pray to God with her head bared? Doesn’t even nature itself teach you, that, if a man has long hair, it’s shameful? But if a woman has long hair, it’s a praise to her because her hair is her covering. But if anyone wants to argue about it, we don’t practice this way of life, nor do any of the churches of God.



On the Celebration of the Last Supper

[17-34] In this that I tell you now, I don’t praise you, because you come together for bad, rather than for good. First of all, when you come together in the church, I hear that there are disagreements among you; and I only know part of it. But there must be differences among you, to show clearly which of you are approved by God. So when you come together into one place, this isn’t to eat the Christ's supper, because when you eat, everyone takes their own supper before the others: and one is hungry, and another is drunk. Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you hate the church of God, and want to shame those who don’t have anything? What should I tell you? Should I praise you in this? No, I don’t praise you. I’ve gotten from Christ what I have given to you, that the same night in which Christ Yeshua was handed over, the Christ took the bread, gave thanks, then broke it, saying, “Take and eat: this is the symbol of my body, which is broken for you: do this to remember Me.” Then the Christ also took the cup, after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the New Word written in my blood: do this, as often as you drink it, to remember Me.” And as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you show Yeshua's death till the Christ comes again. So whoever eats this bread, and drinks this cup of Christ, being unworthy, will be guilty of the body and blood of Christ. But everyone should question themselves, before they eat of that bread, or drink of that cup, because whoever eat and drinks, being unworthy, eats and drinks damnation to themselves, not understanding Christ's body. This is why so many of you are weak and sickly, and many more are dead. If we judged ourselves, we wouldn’t be judged by others. But when we’re judged, we’re corrected by God, so that we won’t be punished with the rest of the world. So, Christians, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. And if anyone hungers, let them eat at home, so that you don’t come together and bring judgment on yourselves. And I will set everything else in order when I come.



Different Spiritual Gifts, Same Spirit

12 [1-11] Now about spiritual gifts, Christians, I wouldn’t have you without knowledge. You know that when you were like the other peoples, you yourselves were swayed by these dumb statues, just as you were led to believe. So I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God can curse Yeshua, and that no one can say that Yeshua is God but by the Holy Spirit. Now there are differences in your spiritual gifts, but you all have the same Spirit. And there are differences in the ways you worship, but you worship the same Christ. And there are differences in the way you serve, but it’s the same God who works in everything in all Christians. But the appearance of the Spirit is given to each of you for the good of all Christians. The Word of wisdom is given to some by the Spirit; to others the Word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To others faith by the same Spirit; to others the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To others the working of amazing things; to others the Word of things to come; to others the understanding of spirits; to another different kinds of languages; to another the interpretation of languages: But the same Spirit does all of these things and gives to everyone as the Christ wants to.







Different Members, Same Body

[12-18] As there are many parts in one body and all the members of that one body, being many, make up the body, so also is Christ. By One Spirit we’re all baptized into One body, whether we’re one race or another, whether we work for someone else or for ourselves; and we have all been made to drink into One Spirit. So the body of Christ isn’t just one member, but many different members. If the foot says, “because I am not the hand, I am not part of the body;” is it not still part of the body? And if the ear says, “because I am not the eye, I am not part of the body;” is it not still part of the body? If the whole body were an eye, how would it hear? If the whole body were an ear, how would it smell? So each member has been put in the body, just as God pleased. And if everyone was the same part, how would there be a body?

[20-31] But now there are many parts, but still one body. And the eye can’t say to the hand, “I don’t need you;” nor the head to the feet, “I don’t need you.” No, but those members of the body, which seem to be less needed, are still necessary. Those members of the body, which we think to be less needed, we take better care of; and even our private parts are given special treatment and our exposed parts don’t need anything. So God has put the body together, in such a way as to give more honor to those parts which lack it, so that there would be no separation in the body; but that the members would have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer; or when one member is honored, all the members celebrate. Now you’re all the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God has set some in the church, first traveling messengers, second preachers, third teachers, after that, those who do amazing things, then those who can heal, then helpers, then overseers, and finally those who speak in different languages. Can they all be traveling messengers? Can they all be great preachers? Can they all be teachers? Do all do amazing things? Do all have the gift of healing? Do all speak in different languages? Do all interpret them? You should want the best gifts, but still I’ll show you a better way.



Love Lasts, Other Gifts will End

13 [1-3] Though I speak with both human and spiritual languages, if I don’t have love, I’m just making noise. And though I have the gift of preaching, and can understand all secrets, and all knowledge; and though I have great faith, so that I could move mountains, but don’t have love, I’m nothing. And though I give all my earthly goods to take care of those who are poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it does me no good.

[4-13] Love puts up with much suffering, and is kindhearted; love doesn’t get jealous; love doesn’t use force and doesn’t consider itself better than others, doesn’t behave poorly, doesn’t try to get its own way, isn’t easily aggravated, doesn’t blame others wrongly; doesn’t approve of sin, but of the truth; takes responsibility in everything, believes everything, hopes for everything, lasts through everything. Love always lasts. Preaching will come to an end; languages will come to an end; and knowledge will come to an end. All our knowledge is incomplete, and even our preaching is incomplete. But when what is complete is here, then what is incomplete will come to an end. As a child, I spoke like a child, I took things in like a child, I thought like a child: but as an adult, I gave up those childish ways. Now we see as if through a piece of darkly tinted glass; but then we’ll see Christ face to face. Now I know only partly; but then I will know just as I am known. And now these three are what will really last: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.



On Speaking in Unknown Languages

14 [1-19] Ask for love, and ask for spiritual gifts, but more than that, ask that you may preach. Whoever speaks in an unknown spiritual language doesn’t speak to humans, but to God, because no one understands them; even though they speak secrets in the spirit. But whoever preaches speaks to others to make them strong, to encourage them, and to comfort them. Whoever speaks in a spiritual language makes themselves strong; but whoever preaches makes those of the church strong. I wish that all of you could speak with spiritual languages, but I would rather that you preach, because the one who preaches is more important than the one who speaks with spiritual languages, unless it can be interpreted, so that the church may be made strong. Now, Christians, if I come to you speaking with all kinds of languages, what good will I do you, unless I speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by preaching, or by teaching? And even things without life giving sounds, like a flute or a harp, unless it makes a difference in its sounds, how can we know what is played? If the trumpet gives an unknown sound, who will know to get ready for the battle? So in the same way, unless you speak words that are easy to understand, how can anyone know what you speak? You may as well speak into the air. There are, it can be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them are without significance. So if I don’t know the meaning of the voice, I’ll be like a foreigner to those who speak, and whoever speaks will be like a foreigner to me. Just the same, since you’re passionate of spiritual gifts, be sure to pray for those which build up the church. And let those who speak in a spiritual language pray that they can interpret, because if I pray in an unknown language, my spirit prays, but I don’t understand what I pray. So what am I saying then? I’ll pray in the spirit, and I’ll pray with understanding also; I’ll sing in the spirit, and I’ll sing with understanding, also. Or else, when you bless with the spirit, how will those in the room who haven’t heard the Word say “So be it” at your giving of thanks, seeing they don’t understand what you say? The truth is, you gives thanks well, but they aren’t helped at all. I thank my God that I speak with these languages more than you all. Yet in the church, I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that by My voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown language.

[20-25] So, everyone, don’t be like children in understanding, even though you should be like children in anger; but in understanding, be adults. In the Word of God it says, “With those of other languages and other lips I will speak to this people; but in the same way, they won’t hear Me, God said.” So these languages are for a sign for unbelievers, not to those who believe. But preaching is for those who believe, and not for unbelievers. So if the whole church has come together, and everyone speaks in an unknown spiritual language, and those that haven’t heard the Word before, or are either unbelievers come in, won’t they say that you’re crazy? But if everyone preaches clearly, and someone comes in that doesn’t believe, or hasn’t ever heard the Word before, they’ll be won over by everyone, and they’ll be judged by everyone. So the secrets of their hearts are made clear; and they will bow their heads and worship God, and say that God is truly in you.



On Orderly Worship, speaking in Spiritual Languages, Women

[26-40] How is it then, Christians, that when you come together, everyone has a song, a word, a spiritual language, a revelation, or an interpretation? Let everything be done to benefit of all. If anyone speaks in an unknown language, let it be by two, or at the most three, and that in turn; and let someone interpret it. But if there isn’t an interpreter, let them not speak out in the church; but let them speak quietly to themselves, and to God. Let two or three preachers speak, and let someone else judge what they speak. If anything is made known to someone else there, let the first speaker be quiet. Now, you can all preach one by one, so that everyone can learn, and be in good spirits. And the spirits of the preachers are responsible to the preachers. God doesn’t bring confusion, but peace, as it should be in all churches of the Christians. And your women shouldn’t speak out in a disorderly manner in the churches either, because it isn’t permitted for them to speak out this way; but they’re told to be helpful, as the Word of God says. And if they have questions, they should ask their husbands about it at home because it’s a shame for women to speak out disorderly in the church. Did the Word of God come from you? Or did it come to you only? If anyone thinks of themselves as a preacher, or spiritual, let them acknowledge that the things that I write to you are the Words of God. But if anyone is without knowledge, let them be without knowledge. Christians, you should want to preach, and don’t forbid anyone to speak in spiritual languages. But let everything be done properly and in order.



The Evidence of Christ Coming to Life Again

15 [1-11] Besides this, Christians, I tell you the New Word, which I preached to you, and which you’ve accepted, and in which you take your stand; And you’ll be saved by it, if you keep in mind what I preached to you, unless you really didn’t believe it. And I’ve given you only what I was given first of all, how that Christ died for our sins as the Word says; And Who was buried, and rose again on the third day, as the Word says: And that the Christ was seen by Peter, then by the twelve: And after that, the Christ was seen by more than five hundred Christians at once; of whom most are still with us today, though some are now dead. After that, the Christ was seen by James; then by all the followers. And last of all, I saw the Christ myself, at just the right time. And I am the least important of the followers, who has no right to even be called a follower, because I abused the church of God. But by God’s grace, I am what I am; and the grace which was given to me wasn’t meaningless because I have worked more than all of them. Still, not I, but by God’s grace, who was with me. So, whether it was me or them, we preached, and you believed.



Our Hope is in Christ

[12] Now, if it’s preached that the Christ rose from the dead, how do some of you say that there’s no coming to life again from the dead? If there is no coming to life again from the dead, then is Christ not raised? And if Christ isn’t risen, then our preaching is meaningless, and your faith is also meaningless. Yes, and we’re found false witnesses of God because we’ve told you that God brought Christ back to life: whom God hasn’t raised up, if it is true that the dead don’t come to life again. If the dead don’t come to life again, then Christ hasn’t been raised: And if Christ hasn’t been raised, your faith is meaningless and you’re still in your sins. Then those who have died in Christ have been destroyed forever. If our hope is in Christ for this life only, we’re the saddest of all people. But Christ has come back to life, and is the first fruits of those who died. Since death came by one human being, new life came by a human being for the dead. Just as all die in Adam, everyone who is in Christ will live. But everyone in their own time: Christ the first fruits; Later, those who are in Christ at the Christ's second coming.

[24-34] Then the end will come, when Christ will give up the realm to Yahweh God; when the Christ puts down all right, rule, and power. And Christ must reign, till all enemies are in Christ’s control. Then, the last enemy that the Christ will put an end to, is death itself. “Because God has put everything in Christ’s control.” But when God said, everything is in Christ’s control, it’s plain that God isn’t included in this, who put everything in Christ’s control. And when everything is under Christ’s control, then the Christ will be responsible also to the One who put everything in the Christ’s control, so that God may be Ruler over everything. Or else why would some be baptized for the dead, if the dead don’t come to life again at all? Why are they then baptized in the place of those who are dead? And why do we put ourselves in danger all the time? I say by the joy which I have in Yeshua our Christ, I die daily. If I follow after the way of a human being only, and I fight with animals at Ephesus, how does that help me, if the dead don’t come to life again? “Let’s just eat and drink, because tomorrow we die.” Don’t be misled: evil people make good people do bad things. Awake and be good, and don’t sin, because some of you don’t really know God. I say this to your shame.



The New Body

[35-44] But some are asking, “How are the dead brought back? And what kind of body will they have?” You idiot, what you plant isn’t brought back to life again, unless it dies: And what you plant, isn’t the body that will be, but it’s like bare grain, maybe wheat, or some other grain, but it is given a body as it pleases God, and every seed will have its own body. Every physical body isn’t the same: but the human body is of one kind, the body of animals is another kind, fish have another, and birds have another. There are also heavenly bodies, and earthly bodies: but the light of the heavenly is one kind, and the light of the earthly is another. The sun has one kind of light, and the moon has another, and the stars have another kind, because one star differs from another in its strength. So is the new life also of those who come to life again from the dead. Though it’s sown in sinfulness; when it’s raised it will be sinless: It’s sown in disgrace; but will be raised in victory: it’s sown in the weakness of death; but will be raised in the power of everlasting life: It’s sown a natural body; but will be raised a spiritual body. So there’s a natural body, and there’s a spiritual body.



Christ Gives the New Life

[45-58] And so the Word says, “The first human being, Adam, was given life by the Spirit; the last Adam, the Christ, was given a Spirit that gives life.” But what is spiritual didn’t come first, but what is natural came first; and then what is spiritual. The first person was of the earth, and made of earth: the second person is God from heaven. As the earthly one was, so are those who are earthly: and as the Heavenly One is, so also will be those who are heavenly. And as we’re like the earthly, we’ll also be like the Heavenly One. Now I say this, Christians, that our human bodies can’t go into the realm of God; nor do evil people get spiritual bodies. I’ll tell you a secret; We won’t all die, but we’ll all be changed, in a split second, in the blink of an eye, at the last sounding of the trumpet, the dead in Christ will be raised to everlasting life, and we’ll all be changed. This sinful body must put on a sinless one, and this human body must put on a spiritual body. So when this sinful body has put on a sinless one, and this human body has put on spiritual one, then this saying that is written will come true: “Death is swallowed up in victory. Where is the sting of death? Where is the victory of the grave?” The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the Word of God. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Christ Yeshua. So, my dear Christians, be firm and unmoved, always doing well in the work Christ gives you, so that you know your work isn’t meaningless in Christ.



Offerings and Support of Ministers and Other Christians

16 [1-9] Now, about the collection for the Christians, as I’ve told the churches of Galatia, do this as well. Every Sunday, let everyone of you bring the money you have to give, as God has given you, so that there won’t have to be a collection when I come. And when I come, whoever you approve by your letters, I will send to bring your kindness to Jerusalem. And if it’s possible that I go also, they’ll go with me. Now I’ll come to you, whenever I pass through Macedonia, because I’ll go that way. And it may be that I’ll stay, yes, and even spend the winter with you, so that you can send me on my journey wherever I go next. So I won’t see you now on the way, but I trust to stay with you for a while, if God allows it. But I’ll stay at Ephesus until Pentecost because a great chance for useful ministry has come to me, and there are many enemies.

[10-18] Now if Timothy comes, make sure he has nothing to fear while with you, because he is doing the work of Christ, as I am. So make sure he’s not rejected and send him away in peace, so that he can come back to me, because I’m waiting for him to come with the other Christians. Now about our coworker Apollos, I really wanted him to come to you with the other Christians, but he didn’t want to come at all right now; but he’ll come when he has the time. So watch, stay in the faith, act like adults, and be strong. And do everything in love. I beg you, Christians, because you know that those of the family of Stephanas are the first Christians of Achaia, and that they’ve completely given themselves to the ministry of the Christians, that you cooperate with people like this, and to everyone else who helps us, and does the work of Christ. I’m happy about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, because they’ve given me what you couldn’t. They’ve awakened both my spirit and yours, so accept people like this.



Final Greetings

[19-24] The churches of Asia say hello to you. Aquila and Priscilla say hello to you most lovingly in Christ, along with the church that meets in their house. All the coworkers in Christ say hello to you. Say hello to one another with a kiss of love. This is the greeting of me, Paul, written with my own hand. If anyone doesn’t love Yeshua the Christ, let them be damned! Come, Christ Yeshua! May the grace of our Christ Yeshua be with you. I send my love to you all in Christ Yeshua. So be it!