St. Paul, having planted the faithful in Corinth, where he
had preached a year and a half and converted a great many,
went to Ephesus. After being there three years, he wrote
this first Epistle to the Corinthians and sent it by the
same persons, Stephanus, Fortunatus and Achaicus, who had
brought their letter to him. It was written about
twenty-four years after our Lord's Ascension and contains
several matters appertaining to faith and morals and also
to ecclesiastical discipline.
1 Corinthians Chapter 1
He reproveth their dissensions about their teachers. The
world was to be saved by preaching of the cross, and not by
human wisdom or eloquence.
1:1. Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ by the
will of God, and Sosthenes a brother,
1:2. To the church of God that is at Corinth, to them that
are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with
all that invoke the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every
place of theirs and ours.
1:3. Grace to you and peace, from God our father and from
the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:4. I give thanks to my God always for you, for the grace
of God that is given you in Christ Jesus:
1:5. That in all things you are made rich in him, in all
utterance and in all knowledge;
1:6. As the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you,
1:7. So that nothing is wanting to you in any grace,
waiting for the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1:8. Who also will confirm you unto the end without crime,
in the days of the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1:9. God is faithful: by whom you are called unto the
fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1:10. Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that
there be no schisms among you: but that you be perfect in
the same mind and in the same judgment.
1:11. For it hath been signified unto me, my brethren, of
you, by them that are of the house of Chloe, that there are
contentions among you.
1:12. Now this I say, that every one of you saith: I indeed
am of Paul; and I am of Apollo; and I of Cephas; and I of
Christ.
1:13. Is Christ divided? Was Paul then crucified for you?
Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
1:14. I give God thanks, that I baptized none of you but
Crispus and Caius:
1:15. Lest any should say that you were baptized in my
name.
1:16. And I baptized also the household of Stephanus.
Besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
1:17. For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the
gospel: not in wisdom of speech, lest the cross of Christ
should be made void.
1:18. For the word of the cross, to them indeed that
perish, is foolishness: but to them that are saved, that
is, to us, it is the power of God.
1:19. For it is written: I will destroy the wisdom of the
wise: and the prudence of the prudent I will reject.
1:20. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the
disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the
wisdom of this world?
1:21. For, seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world, by
wisdom, knew not God, it pleased God, by the foolishness of
our preaching, to save them that believe.
1:22. For both the Jews require signs: and the Greeks seek
after wisdom.
1:23. But we preach Christ crucified: unto the Jews indeed
a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness:
1:24. But unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1:25. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men: and the
weakness of God is stronger than men.
The foolishness, etc... That is to say, what appears
foolish to the world in the ways of God, is indeed most
wise; and what appears weak is indeed above all the
strength and comprehension of man.
1:26. For see your vocation, brethren, that there are not
many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many
noble.
1:27. But the foolish things of the world hath God chosen,
that he may confound the wise: and the weak things of the
world hath God chosen, that he may confound the strong.
1:28. And the base things of the world and the things that
are contemptible, hath God chosen: and things that are not,
that he might bring to nought things that are:
1:29. That no flesh should glory in his sight.
1:30. But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is
made unto us wisdom and justice and sanctification and
redemption:
1:31. That, as it is written: He that glorieth may glory in
the Lord.
1 Corinthians Chapter 2
His preaching was not in loftiness of words, but in spirit
and power. And the wisdom he taught was not to be
understood by the worldly wise or sensual man, but only by
the spiritual man.
2:1. And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not in
loftiness of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the
testimony of Christ.
2:2. For I judged not myself to know anything among you,
but Jesus Christ: and him crucified.
2:3. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much
trembling.
2:4. And my speech and my preaching was not in the
persuasive words of human wisdom. but in shewing of the
Spirit and power:
2:5. That your faith might not stand on the wisdom of men,
but on the power of God.
2:6. Howbeit we speak wisdom among the perfect: yet not the
wisdom of this world, neither of the princes of this world
that come to nought.
2:7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, a wisdom
which is hidden, which God ordained before the world, unto
our glory:
2:8. Which none of the princes of this world knew. For if
they had known it, they would never have crucified the Lord
of glory.
2:9. But, as it is written: That eye hath not seen, nor ear
heard: neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what
things God hath prepared for them that love him.
2:10. But to us God hath revealed them by his Spirit. For
the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of
God.
2:11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, but the
spirit of a man that is in him? So the things also that are
of God, no man knoweth, but the Spirit of God.
2:12. Now, we have received not the spirit of this world,
but the Spirit that is of God: that we may know the things
that are given us from God.
2:13. Which things also we speak: not in the learned words
of human wisdom, but in the doctrine of the Spirit,
comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
2:14. But the sensual man perceiveth not these things that
are of the Spirit of God. For it is foolishness to him: and
he cannot understand, because it is spiritually examined.
The sensual man - the spiritual man... The sensual man is
either he who is taken up with sensual pleasures, with
carnal and worldly affections; or he who measureth divine
mysteries by natural reason, sense, and human wisdom only.
Now such a man has little or no notion of the things of
God. Whereas the spiritual man is he who, in the mysteries
of religion, takes not human sense for his guide: but
submits his judgment to the decisions of the church, which
he is commanded to hear and obey. For Christ hath promised
to remain to the end of the world with his church, and to
direct her in all things by the Spirit of truth.
2:15. But the spiritual man judgeth all things: and he
himself is judged of no man.
2:16. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may
instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Corinthians Chapter 3
They must not contend about their teachers, who are but
God's ministers and accountable to him. Their works shall
be tried by fire.
3:1. And I, brethren, could not speak to you as unto
spiritual, but as unto carnal. As unto little ones in
Christ.
3:2. I gave you milk to drink, not meat: for you were not
able as yet. But neither indeed are you now able: for you
are yet carnal.
3:3. For, whereas there is among you envying and
contention, are you not carnal and walk you not according
to man?
3:4. For while one saith: I indeed am of Paul: and
another: I am of Apollo: are you not men? What then is
Apollo and what is Paul?
3:5. The ministers of him whom you have believed: and to
every one as the Lord hath given.
3:6. I have planted, Apollo watered: but God gave the
increase.
3:7. Therefore, neither he that planteth is any thing, nor
he that watereth: but God that giveth the increase.
3:8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth, are one.
And every man shall receive his own reward, according to
his own labour.
3:9. For we are God's coadjutors. You are God's husbandry:
you are God's building.
3:10. According to the grace of God that is given to me, as
a wise architect, I have laid the foundation: and another
buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he
buildeth thereupon.
3:11. For other foundation no man can lay, but that which
is laid: which is Christ Jesus.
3:12. Now, if any man build upon this foundation, gold,
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble:
Upon this foundation... The foundation is Christ and his
doctrine: or the true faith in him, working through
charity. The building upon this foundation gold, silver,
and precious stones, signifies the more perfect preaching
and practice of the gospel; the wood, hay, and stubble,
such preaching as that of the Corinthian teachers (who
affected the pomp of words and human eloquence) and such
practice as is mixed with much imperfection, and many
lesser sins. Now the day of the Lord, and his fiery trial,
(in the particular judgment immediately after death,) shall
make manifest of what sort every man's work has been: of
which, during this life, it is hard to make a judgment. For
then the fire of God's judgment shall try every man's work.
And they, whose works, like wood, hay, and stubble, cannot
abide the fire, shall suffer loss; these works being found
to be of no value; yet they themselves, having built upon
the right foundation, (by living and dying in the true
faith and in the state of grace, though with some
imperfection,) shall be saved yet so as by fire; being
liable to this punishment, by reason of the wood, hay, and
stubble, which was mixed with their building.
3:13. Every man's work shall be manifest. For the day of
the Lord shall declare it, because it shall be revealed in
fire. And the fire shall try every man's work, of what sort
it is.
3:14. If any man's work abide, which he hath built
thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
3:15. If any mans work burn, he shall suffer loss: but he
himself shall be saved, yet so as by fire.
3:16. Know you not that you are the temple of God and that
the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
3:17. But if any man violate the temple of God, him shall
God destroy. For the temple of God is holy, which you are.
3:18. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seem
to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he
may be wise.
3:19. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
For it is written: I will catch the wise in their own
craftiness.
3:20. And again: The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise,
that they are vain.
3:21. Let no man therefore glory in men.
3:22. For all things are yours, whether it be Paul or
Apollo or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or
things present, or things to come. For all are yours.
3:23. And you are Christ's. And Christ is God's.
1 Corinthians Chapter 4
God's ministers are not to be judged. He reprehends their
boasting of their preachers and describes the treatment the
apostles every where met with.
4:1. Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of
Christ and the dispensers of the mysteries of God.
4:2. Here now it is required among the dispensers that a
man be found faithful.
4:3. But to me it is a very small thing to be judged by
you or by man's day. But neither do I judge my own self.
4:4. For I am not conscious to myself of anything. Yet am
I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
4:5. Therefore, judge not before the time: until the Lord
come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of
darkness and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.
And then shall every man have praise from God.
4:6. But these things, brethren, I have in a figure
transferred to myself and to Apollo, for your sakes: that
in us you may learn that one be not puffed up against the
other for another, above that which is written.
4:7. For who distinguisheth thee? Or what hast thou that
thou hast not received, and if thou hast received, why dost
thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?
4:8. You are now full: you are now become rich: you reign
without us; and I would to God you did reign, that we also
might reign with you.
4:9. For I think that God hath set forth us apostles, the
last, as it were men appointed to death. We are made a
spectacle to the world and to angels and to men.
4:10. We are fools for Christs sake, but you are wise in
Christ: we are weak, but you are strong: you are
honourable, but we without honour.
4:11. Even unto this hour we both hunger and thirst and are
naked and are buffeted and have no fixed abode.
4:12. And we labour, working with our own hands. We are
reviled: and we bless. We are persecuted: and we suffer it.
4:13. We are blasphemed: and we entreat. We are made as the
refuse of this world, the offscouring of all, even until
now.
4:14. I write not these things to confound you: but I
admonish you as my dearest children.
4:15. For if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ,
yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, by the gospel, I
have begotten you.
4:16. Wherefore, I beseech you, be ye followers of me as I
also am of Christ.
4:17. For this cause have I sent to you Timothy, who is my
dearest son and faithful in the Lord. Who will put you in
mind of my ways, which are in Christ Jesus: as I teach
every where in every church.
4:18. As if I would not come to you, so some are puffed up.
4:19. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will: and
will know, not the speech of them that are puffed up, but
the power.
4:20. For the kingdom of God is not in speech, but in
power.
4:21. What will you? Shall I come to you with a rod? Or in
charity and in the spirit of meekness?
1 Corinthians Chapter 5
He excommunicates the incestuous adulterer and admonishes
them to purge out the old leaven.
5:1. It is absolutely heard that there is fornication among
you and such fornication as the like is not among the
heathens: that one should have his father's wife.
5:2. And you are puffed up and have not rather mourned:
that he might be taken away from among you that hath done
this thing.
5:3. I indeed, absent in body but present in spirit, have
already judged, as though I were present, him that hath so
done,
5:4. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being
gathered together and my spirit, with the power of our Lord
Jesus:
5:5. To deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of
the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of our
Lord Jesus Christ.
5:6. Your glorying is not good. Know you not that a little
leaven corrupteth the whole lump?
5:7. Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste,
as you are unleavened. For Christ our pasch is sacrificed.
5:8. Therefore, let us feast, not with the old leaven, nor
with the leaven of malice and wickedness: but with the
unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
9. I wrote to you in an epistle not to keep company with
fornicators.
5:10. I mean not with the fornicators of this world or with
the covetous or the extortioners or the servers of idols:
otherwise you must needs go out of this world.
5:11. But now I have written to you, not to keep company,
if any man that is named a brother be a fornicator or
covetous or a server of idols or a railer or a drunkard or
an extortioner: with such a one, not so much as to eat.
5:12. For what have I to do to judge them that are without?
Do not you judge them that are within?
5:13. For them that are without, God will judge. Put away
the evil one from among yourselves.
1 Corinthians Chapter 6
He blames them for going to law before unbelievers. Of sins
that exclude from the kingdom of heaven. The evil of
fornication.
6:1. Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go
to be judged before the unjust: and not before the saints?
6:2. Know you not that the saints shall judge this world?
And if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy
to judge the smallest matters?
6:3. Know you not that we shall judge angels? How much more
things of this world?
6:4. If therefore you have judgments of things pertaining
to this world, set them to judge who are the most despised
in the church.
6:5. I speak to your shame. Is it so that there is not
among you any one wise man that is able to judge between
his brethren?
6:6. But brother goeth to law with brother: and that before
unbelievers.
6:7. Already indeed there is plainly a fault among you,
that you have law suits one with another. Why do you not
rather take wrong? Why do you not rather suffer yourselves
to be defrauded?
A fault... Lawsuits can hardly ever be without a fault, on
the one side or the other; and oftentimes on both sides.
6:8. But you do wrong and defraud: and that to your
brethren.
6:9. Know you not that the unjust shall not possess the
kingdom of God? Do not err: Neither fornicators nor
idolaters nor adulterers:
6:10. Nor the effeminate nor liers with mankind nor thieves
nor covetous nor drunkards nor railers nor extortioners
shall possess the kingdom of God.
6:11. And such some of you were. But you are washed: but
you are sanctified: but you are justified: in the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of our God.
6:12. All things are lawful to me: but all things are not
expedient. All things are lawful to me: but I will not be
brought under the power of any.
All things are lawful, etc... That is, all indifferent
things are indeed lawful, inasmuch as they are not
prohibited; but oftentimes they are not expedient; as in
the case of lawsuits, etc. And much less would it be
expedient to be enslaved by an irregular affection to any
thing, how indifferent soever.
6:13. Meat for the belly and the belly for the meats: but
God shall destroy both it and them. But the body is not for
fornication, but for the Lord: and the Lord for the body.
6:14. Now God hath raised up the Lord and will raise us up
also by his power.
6:15. Know you not that your bodies are the members of
Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make
them the members of an harlot? God forbid!
6:16. Or know you not that he who is joined to a harlot is
made one body? For they shall be, saith he, two in one
flesh.
6:17. But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit.
6:18. Fly fornication. Every sin that a man doth is without
the body: but he that committeth fornication sinneth
against his own body.
6:19. Or know you not that your members are the temple of
the Holy Ghost, who is in you, whom you have from God: and
you are not your own?
6:20. For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and
bear God in your body.
1 Corinthians Chapter 7
Lessons relating to marriage and celibacy. Virginity is
preferable to a married state.
7:1. Now concerning the things whereof you wrote to me: It
is good for a man not to touch a woman.
7:2. But for fear of fornication, let every man have his
own wife: and let every woman have her own husband.
Have his own wife... That is, keep to his wife, which he
hath. His meaning is not to exhort the unmarried to marry:
on the contrary, he would have them rather continue as they
are, (Ver. 7:8.) But he speaks here to them that are
already married; who must not depart from one another, but
live together as they ought to do in the marriage state.
7:3. Let the husband render the debt to his wife: and the
wife also in like manner to the husband.
7:4. The wife hath not power of her own body: but the
husband. And in like manner the husband also hath not
power of his own body: but the wife.
7:5. Defraud not one another, except, perhaps, by consent,
for a time, that you may give yourselves to prayer: and
return together again, lest Satan tempt you for your
incontinency.
7:6. But I speak this by indulgence, not by commandment.
By indulgence... That is, by a condescension to your
weakness.
7:7. For I would that all men were even as myself. But
every one hath his proper gift from God: one after this
manner, and another after that.
7:8. But I say to the unmarried and to the widows: It is
good for them if they so continue, even as I.
7:9. But if they do not contain themselves, let them marry.
For it is better to marry than to be burnt.
If they do not contain, etc... This is spoken of such as
are free, and not of such as, by vow, have given their
first faith to God; to whom if they will use proper means
to obtain it, God will never refuse the gift of continency.
Some translators have corrupted this text, by rendering it,
if they cannot contain.
7:10. But to them that are married, not I, but the Lord,
commandeth that the wife depart not from her husband.
7:11. And if she depart, that she remain unmarried or be
reconciled to her husband. And let not the husband put away
his wife.
7:12. For to the rest I speak, not the Lord. If any brother
hath a wife that believeth not and she consent to dwell
with him: let him not put her away.
I speak, not the Lord... Viz., by any express commandment,
or ordinance.
7:13. And if any woman hath a husband that believeth not
and he consent to dwell with her: let her not put away her
husband.
7:14. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the
believing wife: and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by
the believing husband. Otherwise your children should be
unclean: but now they are holy.
Is sanctified... The meaning is not, that the faith of the
husband or the wife is of itself sufficient to put the
unbelieving party, or their children, in the state of grace
and salvation; but that it is very often an occasion of
their sanctification, by bringing them to the true faith.
7:15. But if the unbeliever depart, let him depart. For a
brother or sister is not under servitude in such cases. But
God hath called us in peace.
7:16. For how knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save
thy husband? Or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt
save thy wife?
7:17. But as the Lord hath distributed to every one, as God
hath called every one: so let him walk. And so in all
churches I teach.
7:18. Is any man called, being circumcised? Let him not
procure uncircumcision. Is any man called in
uncircumcision? Let him not be circumcised.
7:19. Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is
nothing: but the observance of the commandments of God.
7:20. Let every man abide in the same calling in which he
was called.
7:21. Wast thou called, being a bondman? Care not for it:
but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
7:22. For he that is called in the Lord, being a bondman,
is the freeman of the Lord. Likewise he that is called,
being free, is the bondman of Christ.
7:23. You are bought with a price: be not made the
bondslaves of men.
7:24. Brethren, let every man, wherein he was called,
therein abide with God.
7:25. Now, concerning virgins, I have no commandment of the
Lord: but I give counsel, as having obtained mercy of the
Lord, to be faithful.
7:26. I think therefore that this is good for the present
necessity: that it is good for a man so to be.
7:27. Art thou bound to a wife? Seek not to be loosed. Art
thou loosed from a wife? Seek not a wife.
7:28. But if thou take a wife, thou hast not sinned. And if
a virgin marry, she hath not sinned: nevertheless, such
shall have tribulation of the flesh. But I spare you.
7:29. This therefore I say, brethren: The time is short. It
remaineth, that they also who have wives be as if they had
none:
7:30. And they that weep, as though they wept not: and they
that rejoice, as if they rejoiced not: and they that buy as
if they possessed not:
7:31. And they that use this world, as if they used it not.
For the fashion of this world passeth away.
7:32. But I would have you to be without solicitude. He
that is without a wife is solicitous for the things that
belong to the Lord: how he may please God.
7:33. But he that is with a wife is solicitous for the
things of the world: how he may please his wife. And he is
divided.
7:34. And the unmarried woman and the virgin thinketh on
the things of the Lord: that she may be holy both in body
and in spirit. But she that is married thinketh on the
things of the world: how she may please her husband.
7:35. And this I speak for your profit, not to cast a snare
upon you, but for that which is decent and which may give
you power to attend upon the Lord, without impediment.
7:36. But if any man think that he seemeth dishonoured with
regard to his virgin, for that she is above the age, and it
must so be: let him do what he will. He sinneth not if she
marry.
Let him do what he will; he sinneth not, etc... The meaning
is not, as libertines would have it, that persons may do
what they will and not sin, provided they afterwards marry;
but that the father, with regard to the giving his virgin
in marriage, may do as he pleaseth; and that it will be no
sin to him if she marry.
7:37. For he that hath determined, being steadfast in his
heart, having no necessity, but having power of his own
will: and hath judged this in his heart, to keep his
virgin, doth well.
7:38. Therefore both he that giveth his virgin in marriage
doth well: and he that giveth her not doth better.
7:39. A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband
liveth: but if her husband die, she is at liberty. Let her
marry to whom she will: only in the Lord.
7:40. But more blessed shall she be, if she so remain,
according to my counsel. And I think that I also have the
spirit of God.
1 Corinthians Chapter 8
Though an idol be nothing, yet things offered up to idols
are not to be eaten, for fear of scandal.
8:1. Now concerning those things that are sacrificed to
idols: we know we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up:
but charity edifieth.
Knowledge puffeth up, etc... Knowledge, without charity and
humility, serveth only to puff persons up.
8:2. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he
hath not yet known as he ought to know.
8:3. But if any man love God, the same is known by him.
8:4. But as for the meats that are sacrificed to idols, we
know that an idol is nothing in the world and that there is
no God but one.
8:5. For although there be that are called gods, either in
heaven or on earth (for there be gods many and lords many):
Gods many, etc... Reputed for such among the heathens.
8:6. Yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom
are all things, and we unto him: and one Lord Jesus Christ,
by whom are all things, and we by him.
8:7. But there is not knowledge in every one. For some
until this present, with conscience of the idol, eat as a
thing sacrificed to an idol: and their conscience, being
weak, is defiled.
8:8. But meat doth not commend us to God. For neither, if
we eat, shall we have the more: nor, if we eat not, shall
we have the less.
8:9. But take heed lest perhaps this your liberty become a
stumblingblock to the weak.
8:10. For if a man see him that hath knowledge sit at meat
in the idol's temple, shall not his conscience, being weak,
be emboldened to eat those things which are sacrificed to
idols?
8:11. And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother
perish, for whom Christ hath died?
8:12. Now when you sin thus against the brethren and wound
their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
8:13. Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will
never eat flesh, lest I should scandalize my brother.
If meat scandalize... That is, if my eating cause my
brother to sin.
1 Corinthians Chapter 9
The apostle did not make use of his power of being
maintained at the charges of those to whom he preached,
that he might give no hindrance to the gospel. Of running
in the race and striving for the mastery.
9:1. Am I not I free? Am not I an apostle? Have not I seen
Christ Jesus our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord?
9:2. And if unto others I be not an apostle, but yet to you
I am. For you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
9:3. My defence with them that do examine me is this.
9:4. Have not we power to eat and to drink?
9:5. Have we not power to carry about a woman, a sister as
well as the rest of the apostles and the brethren of the
Lord and Cephas?
A woman, a sister... Some erroneous translators have
corrupted this text by rendering it, a sister, a wife:
whereas, it is certain, St. Paul had no wife (chap. 7 ver.
7, 8) and that he only speaks of such devout women, as,
according to the custom of the Jewish nation, waited upon
the preachers of the gospel, and supplied them with
necessaries.
9:6. Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to do this?
9:7. Who serveth as a soldier, at any time, at his own
charges? Who planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the
fruit thereof? Who feedeth the flock and eateth not of the
milk of the flock?
9:8. Speak I these things according to man? Or doth not the
law also say; these things?
9:9. For it is written in the law of Moses: Thou shalt not
muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth
God take care for oxen?
9:10. Or doth he say this indeed for our sakes? For these
things are written for our sakes: that he that plougheth,
should plough in hope and he that thrasheth, in hope to
receive fruit.
9:11. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a
great matter if we reap your carnal things?
9:12. If others be partakers of this power over you, why
not we rather? Nevertheless, we have not used this power:
but we bear all things, lest we should give any hindrance
to the gospel of Christ.
9:13. Know you not that they who work in the holy place eat
the things that are of the holy place; and they that serve
the altar partake with the altar?
9:14. So also the Lord ordained that they who preach the
gospel should live by the gospel.
9:15. But I have used none of these things. Neither have I
written these things, that they should be so done unto me:
for it is good for me to die rather than that any man
should make my glory void.
9:16. For if I preach the gospel, it is no glory to me: for
a necessity lieth upon me. For woe is unto me if I preach
not the gospel.
It is no glory... That is, I have nothing to glory of.
9:17. For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward:
but if against my will, a dispensation is committed to me.
9:18. What is my reward then? That preaching the gospel, I
may deliver the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my
power in the gospel.
9:19. For whereas I was free as to all, I made myself the
servant of all, that I might gain the more.
9:20. And I became to the Jews a Jew, that I might gain the
Jews:
9:21. To them that are under the law, as if I were under the law,
(whereas myself was not under the law,) that I might gain them
that were under the law. To them that were without the law, as if
I were without the law, (whereas I was not without the law of God,
but was in the law of Christ,) that I might gain them that were
without the law.
9:22. To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the
weak. I became all things to all men, that I might save
all.
9:23. And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may
be made partaker thereof.
9:24. Know you not that they that run in the race, all run
indeed, but one receiveth the prize. So run that you may
obtain.
9:25. And every one that striveth for the mastery
refraineth himself from all things. And they indeed that
they may receive a corruptible crown: but we an
incorruptible one.
9:26. I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty: I so
fight, not as one beating the air.
9:27. But I chastise my body and bring it into subjection:
lest perhaps, when I have preached to others, I myself
should become a castaway.
I chastise, etc... Here St. Paul shews the necessity of
self-denial and mortification, to subdue the flesh, and its
inordinate desires.
1 Corinthians Chapter 10
By the example of the Israelites, he shews that we are not
to build too much upon favours received but to avoid their
sins and fly from the service of idols and from things
offered to idols.
10:1. For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our
fathers were all under the cloud: and all passed through
the sea.
10:2. And all in Moses were baptized, in the cloud and in
the sea:
In Moses... Under the conduct of Moses, they received
baptism in figure, by passing under the cloud, and through
the sea; and they partook of the body and blood of Christ
in figure, by eating of the manna, (called here a spiritual
food because it was a figure of the true bread which comes
down from heaven,) and drinking the water, miraculously
brought out of the rock, called here a spiritual rock,
because it was also a figure of Christ.
10:3. And did all eat the same spiritual food:
10:4. And all drank the same spiritual drink: (And they
drank of the spiritual rock that followed them: and the
rock was Christ.)
10:5. But with most of them God was not well pleased: for
they were overthrown in the desert.
10:6. Now these things were done in a figure of us, that we
should not covet evil things, as they also coveted.
10:7. Neither become ye idolaters, as some of them, as it
is written: The people sat down to eat and drink and rose
up to play.
10:8. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them
that committed fornication: and there fell in one day three
and twenty thousand.
10:9. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them tempted
and perished by the serpent.
10:10. Neither do you murmur, as some of them murmured and
were destroyed by the destroyer.
10:11. Now all these things happened to them in figure: and
they are written for our correction, upon whom the ends of
the world are come.
The ends of the world... That is, the last ages.
10:12. Wherefore, he that thinketh himself to stand, let
him take heed lest he fall.
10:13. Let no temptation take hold on you, but such as is
human. And God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be
tempted above that which you are able: but will make also
with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.
Or... no temptation hath taken hold of you... or come upon
you as yet, but what is human, or incident to man. Issue...
or a way to escape.
10:14. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, fly from the service
of idols.
10:15. I speak as to wise men: judge ye yourselves what I
say.
10:16. The chalice of benediction which we bless, is it not
the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread which
we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord?
Which we bless... Here the apostle puts them in mind of
their partaking of the body and blood of Christ in the
sacred mysteries, and becoming thereby one mystical body
with Christ. From whence he infers, ver. 21, that they who
are made partakers with Christ, by the eucharistic
sacrifice and sacrament, must not be made partakers with
devils by eating of the meats sacrificed to them.
10:17. For we, being many, are one bread, one body: all
that partake of one bread.
One bread... or, as it may be rendered, agreeably both to
the Latin and Greek, because the bread is one, all we,
being many, are one body, who partake of that one bread.
For it is by our communicating with Christ, and with one
another, in this blessed sacrament, that we are formed into
one mystical body; and made, as it were, one bread,
compounded of many grains of corn, closely united together.
10:18. Behold Israel according to the flesh. Are not they
that eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
10:19. What then? Do I say that what is offered in
sacrifice to idols is any thing? Or that the idol is any
thing?
10:20. But the things which the heathens sacrifice, they
sacrifice to devils and not to God. And I would not that
you should be made partakers with devils.
10:21. You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord and the
chalice of devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of
the Lord and of the table of devils.
10:22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger
than he? All things are lawful for me: but all things are
not expedient.
10:23. All things are lawful for me: but all things do not
edify.
10:24. Let no man seek his own, but that which is
another's.
10:25. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat: asking no
question for conscience' sake.
10:26. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof.
10:27. If any of them that believe not, invite you, and you
be willing to go: eat of any thing that is set before you,
asking no question for conscience' sake.
10:28. But if any man say: This has been sacrificed to
idols: do not eat of it, for his sake that told it and for
conscience' sake.
10:29. Conscience I say, not thy own, but the other's. For
why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience?
10:30. If I partake with thanksgiving, why am I evil spoken
of for that for which I give thanks?
10:31. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever
else you do, do all to the glory of God.
10:32. Be without offence to the Jew, and to the Gentiles
and to the church of God:
10:33. As I also in all things please all men, not seeking
that which is profitable to myself but to many: that they
may be saved.
1 Corinthians Chapter 11
Women must have a covering over their heads. He blameth the
abuses of their love feasts and upon that occasion treats
of the Blessed Sacrament.
11:1. Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ.
11:2. Now I praise you, brethren, that in all things you
are mindful of me and keep my ordinances as I have
delivered them to you.
11:3. But I would have you know that the head of every man
is Christ: and the head of the woman is the man: and the
head of Christ is God.
11:4. Every man praying or prophesying with his head
covered disgraceth his head.
11:5. But every woman praying or prophesying with her head
not covered disgraceth her head: for it is all one as if
she were shaven.
11:6. For if a woman be not covered, let her be shorn. But
if it be a shame to a woman to be shorn or made bald, let
her cover her head.
11:7. The man indeed ought not to cover his head: because
he is the image and glory of God. But the woman is the
glory of the man.
11:8. For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the
man.
11:9. For the man was not created for the woman: but the
woman for the man.
11:10. Therefore ought the woman to have a power over her
head, because of the angels.
A power... that is, a veil or covering, as a sign that she
is under the power of her husband: and this, the apostle
adds, because of the angels, who are present in the
assemblies of the faithful.
11:11. But yet neither is the man without the woman, nor
the woman without the man, in the Lord.
11:12. For as the woman is of the man, so also is the man
by the woman: but all things of God.
11:13. You yourselves judge. Doth it become a woman to pray
unto God uncovered?
11:14. Doth not even nature itself teach you that a man
indeed, if he nourish his hair, it is a shame unto him?
11:15. But if a woman nourish her hair, it is a glory to
her; for her hair is given to her for a covering.
11:16. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no
such custom, nor the Church of God.
11:17. Now this I ordain: not praising you, that you come
together, not for the better, but for the worse.
11:18. For first of all I hear that when you come together
in the church, there are schisms among you. And in part I
believe it.
11:19. For there must be also heresies: that they also, who
are approved may be made manifest among you.
There must be also heresies... By reason of the pride and
perversity of man's heart; not by God's will or
appointment; who nevertheless draws good out of this evil,
manifesting, by that occasion, who are the good and firm
Christians, and making their faith more remarkable.
11:20. When you come therefore together into one place, it
is not now to eat the Lord's supper.
The Lord's supper... So the apostle here calls the charity
feasts observed by the primitive Christians; and reprehends
the abuses of the Corinthians, on these occasions; which
were the more criminal, because these feasts were
accompanied with the celebrating of the eucharistic
sacrifice and sacrament.
11:21. For every one taketh before his own supper to eat.
And one indeed is hungry and another is drunk.
11:22. What, have you no houses to eat and to drink in? Or
despise ye the church of God and put them to shame that
have not? What shall I say to you? Do I praise you? In this
I praise you not.
11:23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I
delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in
which he was betrayed, took bread,
11:24. And giving thanks, broke and said: Take ye and eat:
This is my body, which shall be delivered for you. This do
for the commemoration of me.
11:25. In like manner also the chalice, after he had
supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my
blood. This do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the
commemoration of me.
11:26. For as often as you shall eat this bread and drink
the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he
come.
11:27. Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink
the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the
body and of the blood of the Lord.
Or drink... Here erroneous translators corrupted the text,
by putting and drink (contrary to the original) instead of
or drink.
Guilty of the body, etc., not discerning the body, etc...
This demonstrates the real presence of the body and blood
of Christ, even to the unworthy communicant; who otherwise
could not be guilty of the body and blood of Christ, or
justly condemned for not discerning the Lord's body.
11:28. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of
that bread and drink of the chalice.
Drink of the chalice... This is not said by way of command,
but by way of allowance, viz., where and when it is
agreeable to the practice and discipline of the church.
11:29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth
and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body
of the Lord.
11:30. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you:
and many sleep.
11:31. But if we would judge ourselves, we should not be
judged.
11:32. But whilst we are judged, we are chastised by the
Lord, that we be not condemned with this world.
11:33. Wherefore, my brethren, when you come together to
eat, wait for one another.
11:34. If any man be hungry, let him eat at home; that you
come not together unto judgment. And the rest I will set in
order, when I come.
1 Corinthians Chapter 12
Of the diversity of spiritual gifts. The members of the
mystical body, like those of the natural body, must
mutually cherish one another.
12:1. Now concerning spiritual things, my brethren, I would
not have you ignorant.
12:2. You know that when you were heathens, you went to
dumb idols, according as you were led.
12:3. Wherefore, I give you to understand that no man,
speaking by the Spirit of God, saith Anathema to Jesus. And
no man can say The Lord Jesus, but by the Holy Ghost.
12:4. Now there are diversities of graces, but the same
Spirit.
12:5. And there are diversities of ministries. but the same
Lord.
12:6. And there are diversities of operations, but the same
God, who worketh all in all.
12:7. And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every
man unto profit.
12:8. To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of
wisdom: and to another, the word of knowledge, according to
the same Spirit:
12:9. To another, faith in the same spirit: to another, the
grace of healing in one Spirit:
12:10. To another the working of miracles: to another,
prophecy: to another, the discerning of spirits: to
another, diverse kinds of tongues: to another,
interpretation of speeches.
12:11. But all these things, one and the same Spirit
worketh, dividing to every one according as he will.
12:12. For as the body is one and hath many members; and
all the members of the body, whereas they are many, yet are
one body: So also is Christ.
12:13. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one
body, whether Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free: and
in one Spirit we have all been made to drink.
12:14. For the body also is not one member, but many.
12:15. If the foot should say: Because I am not the hand, I
am not of the body: Is it therefore not of the Body?
12:16. And if the ear should say: Because I am not the eye,
I am not of the body: Is it therefore not of the body?
12:17. If the whole body were the eye, where would be the
hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the
smelling?
12:18. But now God hath set the members, every one of them,
in the body as it hath pleased him.
12:19. And if they all were one member, where would be the
body?
12:20. But now there are many members indeed, yet one body.
12:21. And the eye cannot say to the hand: I need not thy
help. Nor again the head to the feet: I have no need of
you.
12:22. Yea, much, more those that seem to be the more
feeble members of the body are more necessary
12:23. And such as we think to be the less houourable
members of the body, about these we put more abundant
honour: and those that are our uncomely parts have more
abundant comeliness.
12:24. But our comely parts have no need: but God hath
tempered the body together, giving to that which wanted the
more abundant honour.
12:25. That there might be no schism in the body: but the
members might be mutually careful one for another.
12:26. And if one member suffer any thing, all the members
suffer with it: or if one member glory, all the members
rejoice with it.
12:27. Now you are the body of Christ and members of
member.
12:28. And God indeed hath set some in the church; first
apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly doctors: after that
miracles: then the graces of healings, helps, governments,
kinds of tongues, interpretations of speeches.
12:29. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all doctors?
12:30. Are all workers of miracles? Have all the grace of
healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
12:31. But be zealous for the better gifts. And I shew unto
you yet a more excellent way.
1 Corinthians Chapter 13
Charity is to be preferred before all gifts.
13:1. If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and
have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a
tinkling cymbal.
13:2. And if I should have prophecy and should know all
mysteries and all knowledge, and if I should have all
faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not
charity, I am nothing.
13:3. And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the
poor, and if I should deliver my body to be burned, and
have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
13:4. Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not,
dealeth not perversely, is not puffed up,
13:5. Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not
provoked to anger, thinketh no evil:
13:6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the
truth:
13:7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all
things, endureth all things.
13:8. Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall
be made void or tongues shall cease or knowledge shall be
destroyed.
13:9. For we know in part: and we prophesy in part.
13:10. But when that which is perfect is come, that which
is in part shall be done away.
13:11. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood
as a child, I thought as a child. But, when I became a man,
I put away the things of a child.
13:12. We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but
then face to face. Now I know in part: but then I shall
know even as I am known.
13:13. And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these
three: but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians Chapter 14
The gift of prophesying is to be preferred before that of
speaking strange tongues.
14:1. Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts;
but rather that you may prophesy.
Prophesy... That is, declare or expound the mysteries of
faith.
14:2. For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto
men, but unto God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he
speaketh mysteries.
Not unto men... Viz., so as to be heard, that is, so as to
be understood by them.
14:3. But he that prophesieth speaketh to men unto
edification and exhortation and comfort.
14:4. He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself: but he
that prophesieth, edifieth the church.
14:5. And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but
rather to prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth than
he that speaketh with tongues: unless perhaps he interpret,
that the church may receive edification.
14:6. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with
tongues, what shall I profit you, unless I speak to you
either in revelation or in knowledge or in prophecy or in
doctrine?
14:7. Even things without life that give sound, whether
pipe or harp, except they give a distinction of sounds, how
shall it be known what is piped or harped?
14:8. For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall
prepare himself to the battle?
14:9. So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue plain
speech, how shall it be known what is said? For you shall
be speaking into the air.
14:10. There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in
this world: and none is without voice.
14:11. If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall
be to him to whom I speak a barbarian: and he that speaketh
a barbarian to me.
14:12. So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of
spirits, seek to abound unto the edifying of the church.
Of spirits... Of spiritual gifts.
14:13. And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him
pray that he may interpret.
14:14. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth: but my
understanding is without fruit.
14:15. What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, I will
pray also with the understanding, I will sing with the
spirit, I will sing also with the understanding.
14:16. Else, if thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall
he that holdeth the place of the unlearned say, Amen, to
thy blessing? Because he knoweth not what thou sayest.
Amen... The unlearned, not knowing that you are then
blessing, will not be qualified to join with you by saying
Amen to your blessing. The use or abuse of strange tongues,
of which the apostle here speaks, does not regard the
public liturgy of the church, (in which strange tongues
were never used,) but certain conferences of the faithful,
ver. 26, etc., in which, meeting together, they discovered
to one another their various miraculous gifts of the
Spirit, common in those primitive times; amongst which the
apostle prefers that of prophesying before that of speaking
strange tongues, because it was more to the public
edification. Where also not, that the Latin, used in our
liturgy, is so far from being a strange or unknown tongue,
that it is perhaps the best known tongue in the world.
14:17. For thou indeed givest thanks well: but the other is
not edified.
14:18. I thank my God I speak with all your tongues.
14:19. But in the church I had rather speak five words with
my understanding, that I may instruct others also: than ten
thousand words in a tongue.
14:20. Brethren, do not become children in sense. But in
malice be children: and in sense be perfect.
14:21. In the law it is written: In other tongues and other
lips I will speak to this people: and neither so will they
hear me, saith the Lord.
14:22. Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to believers
but to unbelievers: but prophecies, not to unbelievers but
to believers.
14:23. If therefore the whole church come together into one
place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in
unlearned persons or infidels, will they not say that you
are mad?
14:24. But if all prophesy, and there come in one that
believeth not or an unlearned person, he is convinced of
all: he is judged of all.
14:25. The secrets of his heart are made manifest. And so,
falling down on his face, he will adore God, affirming that
God is among you indeed.
14:26. How is it then, brethren? When you come together,
every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a
revelation, hath a tongue, hath an interpretation: let all
things be done to edification.
14:27. If any speak with a tongue, let it be by two, or at
the most by three, and in course: and let one interpret.
14:28. But if there be no interpreter, let him hold his
peace in the church and speak to himself and to God.
14:29. And let the prophets speak, two or three: and let
the rest judge.
14:30. But if any thing be revealed to another sitting, let
the first hold his peace.
14:31. For you may all prophesy, one by one, that all may
learn and all may be exhorted.
14:32. And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the
prophets.
14:33. For God is not the God of dissension, but of peace:
as also I teach in all the churches of the saints.
14:34. Let women keep silence in the churches: for it is
not permitted them to speak but to be subject, as also the
law saith.
14:35. But if they would learn anything, let them ask their
husbands at home. For it is a shame for a woman to speak in
the church.
14:36. Or did the word of God come out from you? Or came it
only unto you?
14:37. If any seem to be a prophet or spiritual, let him
know the things that I write to you, that they are the
commandments of the Lord.
14:38. But if any man know not, he shall not be known.
14:39. Wherefore, brethren, be zealous to prophesy: and
forbid not to speak with tongues.
14:40. But let all things be done decently and according to
order.
1 Corinthians Chapter 15
Christ's resurrection and ours. The manner of our
resurrection.
15:1. Now I make known unto you, brethren, the gospel which
I preached to you, which also you have received and wherein
you stand.
15:2. By which also you are saved, if you hold fast after
what manner I preached unto you, unless you have believed
in vain.
15:3. For I delivered unto you first of all, which I also
received: how that Christ died for our sins, according to
the scriptures:
15:4. And that he was buried: and that he rose again
according to the scriptures:
15:5. And that he was seen by Cephas, and after that by the
eleven.
15:6. Then was he seen by more than five hundred brethren
at once: of whom many remain until this present, and some
are fallen asleep.
15:7. After that, he was seen by James: then by all the
apostles.
15:8. And last of all, he was seen also by me, as by one
born out of due tine.
15:9. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not
worthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the
church of God.
15:10. But by the grace of God, I am what I am. And his
grace in me hath not been void: but I have laboured more
abundantly than all they. Yet not I, but the grace of God
with me:
15:11. For whether I or they, so we preach: and so you have
believed.
15:12. Now if Christ be preached, that he arose again from
the dead, how do some among you say that there is no
resurrection of the dead?
15:13. But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then
Christ is not risen again.
15:14. And if Christ be not risen again, then is our
preaching vain: and your faith is also vain.
15:15. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God:
because we have given testimony against God, that he hath
raised up Christ, whom he hath not raised up, if the dead
rise not again.
15:16. For if the dead rise not again, neither is Christ
risen again.
15:17. And if Christ be not risen again, your faith is
vain: for you are yet in your sins.
15:18. Then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ are
perished.
15:19. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are
of all men most miserable.
15:20. But now Christ is risen from the dead, the
firstfruits of them that sleep:
15:21. For by a man came death: and by a man the
resurrection of the dead.
15:22. And as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall
be made alive.
15:23. But every one in his own order: the firstfruits,
Christ: then they that are of Christ, who have believed in
his coming.
15:24. Afterwards the end: when he shall have delivered up
the kingdom to God and the Father: when he shall have
brought to nought all principality and power and virtue.
15:25. For he must reign, until he hath put all his enemies
under his feet.
15:26. And the enemy, death, shall be destroyed last: For
he hath put all things under his feet. And whereas he
saith:
15:27. All things are put under him; undoubtedly, he is
excepted, who put all things under him.
15:28. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then
the Son also himself shall be subject unto him that put all
things under him, that God may be all in all.
The Son also himself shall be subject unto him... That is,
the Son will be subject to the Father, according to his
human nature, even after the general resurrection; and also
the whole mystical body of Christ will be entirely subject
to God, obeying him in every thing.
15:29. Otherwise, what shall they do that are baptized for
the dead, if the dead rise not again at all? Why are they
then baptized for them?
That are baptized for the dead... Some think the apostle
here alludes to a ceremony then in use; but others, more
probably, to the prayers and penitential labours, performed
by the primitive Christians for the souls of the faithful
departed; or to the baptism of afflictions and sufferings
undergone for sinners spiritually dead.
15:30. Why also are we in danger every hour?
15:31. I die daily, I protest by your glory, brethren,
which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord.
15:32. If (according to man) I fought with beasts at
Ephesus, what doth it profit me, if the dead rise not
again? Let us eat and drink, for to morrow we shall die.
Let us eat and drink, etc... That is, if we did not believe
that we were to rise again from the dead, we might live
like the impious and wicked, who have no belief in the
resurrection.
15:33. Be not seduced: Evil communications corrupt good
manners.
15:34. Awake, ye just, and sin not. For some have not the
knowledge of God. I speak it to your shame.
15:35. But some man will say: How do the dead rise again?
Or with what manner of body shall they come?
15:36. Senseless man, that which thou sowest is not
quickened, except it die first.
15:37. And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not the body
that shall be: but bare grain, as of wheat, or of some of
the rest.
15:38. But God giveth it a body as he will: and to every
seed its proper body.
15:39. All flesh is not the same flesh: but one is the
flesh of men, another of beasts, other of birds, another of
fishes.
15:40. And there are bodies celestial and bodies
terrestrial: but, one is the glory of the celestial, and
another of the terrestrial.
15:41. One is the glory of the sun, another the glory of
the moon, and another the glory of the stars. For star
differeth from star in glory.
15:42. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown
in corruption: it shall rise in incorruption.
15:43. It is sown in dishonour: it shall rise in glory. It
is sown in weakness: it shall rise in power.
15:44. It is sown a natural body: it shall rise a spiritual
body. If there be a natural body, there is also a
spiritual body, as it is written:
15:45. The first man Adam was made into a living soul; the
last Adam into a quickening spirit.
15:46. Yet that was not first which is spiritual, but that
which is natural: afterwards that which is spiritual.
15:47. The first man was of the earth, earthly: the second
man, from heaven, heavenly.
15:48. Such as is the earthly, such also are the earthly:
and such as is the heavenly, such also are they that are
heavenly.
15:49. Therefore, as we have borne the image of the
earthly, let us bear also the image of the heavenly.
15:50. Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood
cannot possess the kingdom of God: neither shall corruption
possess incorruption.
15:51. Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall all indeed
rise again: but we shall not all be changed.
15:52. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last
trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound and the dead shall
rise again incorruptible. And we shall be changed.
15:53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption: and
this mortal must put on immortality.
15:54. And when this mortal hath put on immortality, then
shall come to pass the saying that is written: Death is
swallowed up in victory.
15:55. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy
sting?
15:56. Now the sting of death is sin: and the power of sin
is the law.
15:57. But thanks be to God, who hath given us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.
15:58. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast and
unmoveable: always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
1 Corinthians Chapter 16
Of collection of alms. Admonitions and salutations.
16:1. Now concerning the collections that are made for the
saints: as I have given order to the churches of Galatia,
so do ye also.
16:2. On the first day of the week, let every one of you
put apart with himself, laying up what it shall well please
him: that when I come, the collections be not then to be
made.
16:3. And when I shall be with you, whomsoever you shall
approve by letters, them will I send to carry your grace to
Jerusalem.
16:4. And if it be meet that I also go, they shall go with
me.
16:5. Now I will come to you, when I shall have passed
through Macedonia. For I shall pass through Macedonia.
16:6. And with you perhaps I shall abide, or even spend the
winter: that you may bring me on my way whithersoever I
shall go.
16:7. For I will not see you now by the way: for I trust
that I shall abide with you some time, if the Lord permit.
16:8. But I will tarry at Ephesus, until Pentecost.
16:9. For a great door and evident is opened unto me: and
many adversaries.
16:10. Now if Timothy come, see that he be with you without
fear: for he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do.
16:11. Let no man therefore despise him: but conduct ye him
on his way in peace, that he may come to me. For I look for
him with the brethren.
16:12. And touching our brother Apollo, I give you to
understand that I much entreated him to come unto you with
the brethren: and indeed it was not his will at all to come
at this time. But he will come when he shall have leisure.
16:13. Watch ye: stand fast in the faith: do manfully and
be strengthened.
16:14. Let all your things be done in charity.
16:15. And I beseech you, brethren, you know the house of
Stephanus, and of Fortunatus, and of Achaicus, that they
are the firstfruits of Achaia, and have dedicated
themselves to the ministry of the saints:
16:16. That you also be subject to such and to every one
that worketh with us and laboureth.
16:17. And I rejoice in the presence of Stephanus and
Fortunatus and Achaicus: because that which was wanting on
your part, they have supplied.
16:18. For they have refreshed both my spirit and yours.
Know them, therefore, that are such.
16:19. The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and
Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that
is in their house, with whom I also lodge.
16:20. All the brethren salute you. Salute one another with
a holy kiss.
16:21. The salutation of me Paul, with my own hand.
16:22. If any man love not our Lord Jesus Christ, let him
be anathema, maranatha.
Let him be anathema, maranatha... Anathema signifies here a
thing accursed. Maran-atha, which, according to St. Jerome
and St. Chrysostom, signify, `The Lord is come' already,
and therefore is to be taken as an admonition to those who
doubted of the resurrection, and to put them in mind that
Christ, the judge of the living and the dead, is come
already. Others explain Maran-atha: `May our Lord come',
that is, to judge and punish those with exemplary judgments
and punishments, that do not love the Lord Jesus Christ.
16:23. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
16:24. My charity be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
The text in this file was taken with permission from Catholic Software's Douay Bible program, a complete multimedia Bible for the PC. The complete product description follows:
Douay Bible ME: A multimedia Bible. Text and footnotes are from the 1899 version of the Douay-Rheims Bible. Supports unlimited cut and paste as well as searches. It also has a concordance, topical index, and maps. These features make it powerful and easy to use. Music and color photography make it a visual and auditory feast. However, if your computer doesn't support multimedia, you can suppress these features at installation time. Available for DOS, Windows, or Windows 95. $85.00. Order from: Catholic Software, P.O. Box 1914, Murray, KY 42071. Phone: 1-502-753-8198.
