COMMENT: The Christian's speech will reflect the influence of God in his life.

6 The testimony concerning Christ has been confirmed in you, 7 so that you are lacking in no gift and waiting eagerly for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will confirm you to the end when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. 9 God is faithful through His Son Jesus Christ Who has called you into fellowship with Him.

COMMENT:

Isaiah 49:7 Thus says the LORD, Israel's Redeemer and its Holy One, who is despised and � abhorred by the nation, to the Servant of rulers, to Whom Kings will see � and stand up. Princes will also bow down, because of the LORD who is � faithful, the Holy One of Israel, has chosen You.

10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you get along together and there be no divisions among you. This way you may be made complete, being of the same mind in the same judgment. 11 My brethren, Chloe's people have told me that there are quarrels among you. 12 Some of you claim to be of Paul, others say they are of Apollos. Some claim they are of Cephas and others of Christ. 13 Has Christ been so divided? Paul was not crucified for you, was he? Neither were you baptized in his name. 14 I thank God that I did not baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one could say they were baptized in my name. 16 I do not think I baptized any one else besides those of the household of Stephanas. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel. And I did not speak cleaver sayings which would lessen the affect of the cross of Jesus Christ. 18 For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing. But to us who are being save it is the power of God. 19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will set aside.

COMMENT:

Isaiah 29:14 "Therefore I will once again astound these people with wonder upon wonder. Their wisdom and intelligence will vanish."

20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the one who debates? Has not God made the wisdom of this world foolishness?

COMMENT:

Job 12:17 "He makes counselors walk barefoot and judges to be fools."

21 It is God's plan that the world's wisdom will not know Him. God is well pleased to save those who are preached to and then believe, even though it seems foolish. 22 For the Jews ask for a sign and the Greeks seek after wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified. To Jews this is a stumbling block and to the Greeks it is foolishness. 24 But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power and wisdom of God. 25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, His weakness is stronger than theirs. 26 You see for yourselves that there are not many wise men according to the flesh and not many mighty or noble. 27 God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confuse the wise, and He has chosen the weak things to frustrate those who are mighty. 28 God has chosen the lowest things and that which is despised to bring to nothing those things that are valued by the world. 29 Because of this no man will boast before God. 30 Because of what He has done you are in Christ Jesus who has become our wisdom from God. He is our righteousness, sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, "Let him who boasts, boast in the LORD."

COMMENT:

Jeremiah 9:23 "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom, or the mighty man of his strength. Neither should the rich man boast of his riches."

1 Corinthians 2 - RWB Paraphrase (16 V)
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1 When I came to you, brethren, it was not with superior speech or wisdom, telling you what God has said. 2 For I determined to know nothing more among you than Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, fear and much trembling, 4 and my message was not in persuasive words of wisdom, but an attempt to demonstrate the power of the Spirit, 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. 6 Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature. This wisdom is not of the present age, which is passing away. 7 We speak of the mystery of hidden wisdom which God ordained to our glory before the world was. 8 None of the princes of this world knew of it. For if they had known of it they would not have crucified the LORD of glory. 9 Just as it is written, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."

COMMENT:

Isaiah 64:4 "Since time began ear has not heard, nor has the eye seen what You have prepared, O God, for those who wait on you."

10 God has revealed them to us through the Spirit, Who knows all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For what man knows the things of another man? So it is that the thoughts of God are known to no one except the Spirit of God.

COMMENT:

Proverbs 20:27 "The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching the inner depths of his heart."

12 We have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, so that we might know the things God has freely given to us. 13 We do not speak of these things with man's wisdom, but as the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with God's word. 14 The natural man does not accept the teaching of the Spirit of God. They are foolishness to him and he cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But the one who is spiritual is able to judge all things without being judged by someone else. 16 For who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

COMMENT:

Isaiah 40:13 "Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD, or given counsel to Him?"

1 Corinthians 3 - RWB Paraphrase (23 V)
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1 My brothers, when I spoke with you I had to speak to you as the babes in Christ that you were. 2 I gave you milk to drink rather than solid food, for you were not yet able to receive solid food. Even now you are not ready for it. 3 This is because you are still carnal. You have envy, strife and divisiveness, not walking as grown men. 4 When one of you says, "I am of Paul, and another says I am of Apollos, you are acting as the world acts." 5 Who is Paul, or Apollos? We are ministers by whom you believe, as the LORD gives you the ability to believe. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but it is God who causes the growth. 7 So then the one who plants is nothing and the one who waters is nothing. But it is God who makes it to grow in you. 8 He who plants and he who waters are one. Each will receive his own reward according to his labor. 9 We are God's fellow workers and you are God's field, or building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given to me as a wise master builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds on that foundation. Let every man be careful what he adds to that foundation. 11 For no man can lay a foundation other than that of Jesus Christ.

COMMENT:

Isaiah 28:16 "So this is what the LORD God says, 'I am laying a costly corner stone in Zion. It is a tested stone to be placed firmly for the foundation. Whoever believes in it will never be dismayed.'"

12 If one should build on a foundation with gold or silver, or precious stones, wood, hay or straw, 13 his work will become evident because it will be tested with fire and its quality will have been tried. 14 The work that passes this test will ensure a reward for the workman. 15 On the other hand, if a man's work does not stand the test of fire, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved through the fire.

COMMENT:

Psalms 66:10-12 For You have tried us, O God. You have refined us as silver is refined. [11] You laid heavy burdens on us. [12] We went through fire and water as You made men to ride over us. Afterwards You brought us into a place of abundance.

16 Don't you realize that you are the temple of God and His Spirit dwells in you? 17 Any man destroying the temple of God will be destroyed by God, for the temple is holy and you are that temple. 18 Let no one deceive himself. If a man thinks he is wise, he must become foolish, so that he may become wise.

COMMENT:

Isaiah 5:21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and see themselves as so clever!

19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. As it is written, He catches the wise in their own craftiness.

COMMENT:

Job 5:13 "He is more shrewd then they are and easily thwarts the advice of the cunning."

20 And it says in another place, the LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are useless.

COMMENT:

Psalms 94:11 The LORD knows the thoughts of man, and that he is a mere breath.

21 Let no one boast in man's glory. All things are yours, 22 whether of Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life or death, or things present or things yet to come, all are yours. 23 And you belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God.

1 Corinthians 4 - RWB Paraphrase (21 V)
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1 Let us be regarded as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Stewards must be trustworthy. 3 It would be a small thing for me to be judged by you, or any man. I do not even judge myself. 4 I do not know of any wrong on my part, yet I am not justified. The one who examines me is the LORD.

COMMENT:

Psalms 143:2 And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, for in Your sight no man living is righteous.

5 Therefore, do not pass judgment before the time, but wait until the LORD comes, who will bring to light the hidden motives of men's hearts. Then each man will have his praise from God. 6 I have spoken figuratively of Apollos and myself so that you may learn not to think of any man more than you should. No one should be puffed up against another. 7 Even if someone regards you as superior, what do you have that you did not receive? If it was given to you, why would you boast of it? 8 You are already filled with riches and have become kings and we did not do this for you. I wish to reign with you. 9 I think God has intended for us apostles to die for Christ and to be an example to both angels and men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You have honor but we are despised. 11 Even now we are hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, roughly treated and homeless. 12 We toil with our own hands, and when we are reviled, we bless. When we are persecuted we endure. 13 When we are slandered we try to conciliate. We have become as the filth of the world.

COMMENT:

Lamentations 3:45 "You have made us scum and refuse among the nations."

14 I do not write these thing to make you feel bad, but to warn you. 15 Though you might have many instructors in Christ, yet none will be like a father. For in Jesus Christ I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 So I entreat you to imitate me. 17 For this reason I am sending Timothy, my faithful and beloved son in the LORD. He will help you to remember what I have taught you in Christ, the same things I teach everywhere.

18 I understand that some have become arrogant, suggesting that I will not come to you. 19 But I will come, and soon if the LORD wills. It will not be their words that matter, but their power. 20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in words but in power. 21 Which do you prefer? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and with a spirit of gentleness?

1 Corinthians 5 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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1 I have been told that there is immorality of the worst kind among you. Someone even has his father's wife. 2 And you have become arrogant and have not removed this person from your midst. 3 Though I am absent from you in the body I am present in spirit, and I have judged the person doing this as though I were there with you. 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are assembled I will be with you in spirit with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 I have decided this person should be delivered to Satan for his destruction so that he may come to his senses before the day of the LORD Jesus. 6 You have no room to boast. Don't you know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough?

COMMENT: In other words, if this is not corrected, it will spread.

7 Clean out the old leaven so that the new lump may be unleavened. For Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us. 8 Therefore we may keep the feast, but not with old leaven, neither with malice and wickedness. We must keep the feast with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 In my letter I said you should not associate with immoral people. 10 I did not intend that you take this to mean the immoral people of this world who covet and swindle or worship idols. To do this you would have to leave the world. 11 Actually, I was speaking of so called brothers who are immoral, covetous, idolaters, revilers, drunken or swindlers. Do not even eat with such a brother. 12 I have no interest in judging those outside the church, just those within it. 13 God will judge those outside the church. You should remove the wicked man from among yourselves.

1 Corinthians 6 - RWB Paraphrase (20 V)
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1 Do any of you make a complaint against one of your number to be decided by the unjust instead of by the saints? 2 Don't you realize that the saints will judge the world? If you will judge the world, you certainly can handle these small matters. 3 Don't you realize that you will also judge fallen angels? How much more are you qualified to judge matters in this life. 4 Do you really want to take these matters to be judged outside of the church? 5 It is a shame that you do not have any among you who are wise enough to make judgments between his brothers. 6 Instead you have a brother going to the law against his brother to be decided by unbelievers. 7 It is a defeat for you to have lawsuits with one another. In such cases it would be better to be wronged and defrauded. 8 Are you wronging and defrauding your brothers? 9 Don't you realize that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived, neither fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals, 10 thieves, those who covet, drunkards, revilers, or swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

COMMENT: These do not inherit the kingdom of God. Take note. It is clear that they will not be there. Do not be fooled into thinking that God loves everyone and will not destroy anyone, and freely forgive everyone in the end, whether or not they do what He has asked them to do. This will not be the case.

11 Some of you were these types of people before you were washed, but you were sanctified, having been justified in the name of the LORD Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 12 All things are lawful to me but not necessarily profitable. I can do anything but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 Food and the stomach were made for each other but God will do away with both. The body is not for immorality, but for the LORD. And the LORD is for the body. 14 Just as God raised up the LORD, so He will also raise us up through His power. 15 Don't you understand that your bodies are members of Christ? Should I make part of Christ's body to be joined to a prostitute? May that never happen! 16 Surely you realize that a person who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one with her. In describing this act God says, "The two become one flesh."

COMMENT: In fact, we now realize that DNA is exchanged so that we become different than we would otherwise be.

Genesis 2:24 This is the reason a man leaves his father and mother, to be joined to his wife, so that they become one flesh.

17 But he who joins himself to the LORD is one with Him in spirit. 18 Flee immorality. All other sin is committed outside the body, but immorality is a sin against one's own body. 19 Do you not realize that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who lives in you, Whom you have from God, and that you are not your own. 20 For you have been bought with a price. Therefore, glorify God in your body and your spirit, which belong to God.

1 Corinthians 7 - RWB Paraphrase (40 V)
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1 Now concerning the things about which you wrote to me, it is good that a man not touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let each man have his own wife, and each woman should have her own husband. 3 A husband must fulfill his duty to his wife, as should the wife to her husband. 4 The wife does not have authority of her body, but the husband does. And likewise, the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does. 5 Do not deprive one another, except by agreement for a time, in order to give yourselves to fasting and prayer. Then come together again so that Satan may not tempt you.

COMMENT:

Exodus 19:15 He told them, "Be ready on the third day. Consecrate yourselves and do not be intimate with your wives."

6 In saying this I am making a suggestion and not a command. 7 Yet I wish that all men were as I am. However, each man has his own gift from God. 8 But I do say to the unmarried and the widows that it is good for them to remain single. 9 But if they must, let them marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 10 But to the married the LORD has said that the wife should not leave her husband,

COMMENT:

Malachi 2:16 "I hate divorce, " says the LORD God of israel."whoever treats his wife in this way commits violence against her. So be careful that you do not deal treacherously with her."

11 or if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or be reconcile with her husband. And the husband should not divorce his wife. 12 What I say next is not from the LORD, but from me. If any brother has an unbelieving wife, if she is willing to remain with him, let him not divorce her. 13 And to the woman with an unbelieving husband, if he consents, remain with him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his believing wife and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband. This course will be a blessing to your children.

COMMENT: This means that the unbelieving spouse is affected for good.

15 But if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave. The spouse is not under bondage in such cases. God want for us to have peace. 16 Perhaps as his wife you will save your husband, or a husband may be the means of saving his wife. 17 Let each walk as the LORD has called him. This is the council that I have given in all the churches. 18 As for circumcision, if a man was already circumcised when he was called, let him remain that way. And if he was uncircumcised, let him remain that way. 19 Neither circumcision or uncircumcision counts for anything. What matters is that God's commandments are kept. 20 Each man should remain in the condition in which he was called. 21 If you were called while a slave, do not worry about it. And if you are able to become free, that is also good. 22 For the one called while he is a slave has the LORD's freedom and he who is called while free, is a slave to Christ. 23 You were bought with a price and must become servants of men. 24 Brothers, each one is to remain with God in the condition he was called, whether it be as a slave or uncircumcised. 25 Now concerning virgins, I have no command from the LORD. But I will give my opinion as one who has obtained the mercy of the LORD can be trusted. 26 In view of the present difficult times, it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27 Are you married? Do not seek release. Are you released from a wife? Do not remarry. 28 But marrying is not a sin, and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But marriage is difficult and I am trying to spare you. 29 I will say this, brothers: time is short. From now on, those with wives should be as though they have none. 30 And those who weep should be as those who do not weep. Those who rejoice should be as those who do not. Those who buy should be as those who do not possess. 31 And those who use the world should be as those who do not, for the form of this world is passing away.

COMMENT: We are not to hang on to what we have here and now. We look forward to a better world.

32 I want you to be free from concern. One who is not married has energy for the things of the LORD, wanting to please Him. 33 The one who is married is concerned about the things of the world and how he may please his wife. 34 Thus his interests are divided. The unmarried woman and the virgin is concerned about the things of the LORD, in order that she may be holy in body and spirit. The one who is married is concerned about the things of the world and a desire to please her husband. 35 I am saying this for your own benefit and not to put a restraint on you. I want to promote what is appropriate so as to secure for you undistracted devotion to the LORD. 36 If any man sees that he is behaving wrong toward a virgin, if she is old enough, and wants him, let them marry. This is not a sin. 37 But he who can be firm with himself and have authority over his own will, does well not to marry. 38 So he who marries does well and he who does not marry does even better. 39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. When her husband dies, she is free to marry another, but only in the LORD. 40 It is my opinion that she will be happier if she remains unmarried. I think I have the Spirit of God when I express this idea.

1 Corinthians 8 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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1 Now concerning things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge and knowledge can make us arrogant, but love edifies. 2 If anyone thinks he knows something, he should realize that he still doesn't know as much as he ought to know.

COMMENT: There is always room for more growth and more we need to know.

3 But if a man loves God, he is known by God. 4 So concerning the eating of those things that have been offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing and has no power. God is one and He alone has power. 5 For there are so called gods, whether in heaven or earth. 6 To us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things come, including us, and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom all things exist, including us.

COMMENT:

Deuteronomy 4:39 "Know today and take it to heart, that the LORD is the God of heaven above and the earth below, and there is no other god."

Isaiah 46:9 "Remember the things from long ago, for I am God, and there is no other. There is no one like Me,"

7 However, not everyone knows this, for some who are weak, the knowledge that their food has been offered to an idol defiles their conscience. 8 Whether or not we eat food, it does not commend us to God. 9 Nevertheless, take care that your freedom does not become a stumbling block to someone who is weak. 10 If a weak man sees you, who have this knowledge, eating at a temple where the food is first offered to idols, will he feel encouraged to do the same? 11 Will this ruin the man whom Christ died for? 12 If you cause a weaker brother to have a wounded conscience, you have sinned against Christ. 13 For this reason, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I do not cause my brother to stumble.

1 Corinthians 9 - RWB Paraphrase (27 V)
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1 Am I not an apostle and free? Haven't I seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are you not my work in the LORD? 2 If I am not a apostle to others, at least I am to you, for you are the seal of my apostleship in the LORD. 3 Here is my defense to those who examine me. 4 Do we not have a right to eat and drink? 5 Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, just as other apostles, the LORD's brothers and Cephas? 6 Do Barnabas and I alone have to work to support ourselves? 7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat the fruit of it? Or who tends a flock and does not use the milk of the flock? 8 I am not making this up, am I? In fact the Law testifies of these things. 9 For it is written in the Law of Moses, you shall not muzzle the ox while he treads on the grain. Is God only concerned with oxen?

COMMENT:

Deuteronomy 25:4 "You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing."

10 Or is He speaking for our sake as well? Yes He is, for both the plowman and the thresher should hope for a share of the crop. 11 If we sow spiritual things in you is it wrong for us to reap material things from you? 12 If others share in your increase, shouldn't we as well? Nevertheless, we did not exercise this right, but have managed on our own so as not to hinder the gospel. 13 You realize, don't you, that those who perform sacred service in the temple eat the temple's food and have their regular share from the altar?

COMMENT:

Leviticus 6:16 "Aaron and his sons may eat what remains. It shall be eaten with unleavened bread in the holy place and in the court of the tabernacle of the congregation."

Numbers 5:9 "And every contribution of any holy thing shall be brought to the priest and it shall become his."

Deuteronomy 18:1 "The Levitical priests and the rest of the tribe of Levi shall have no inheritance with Israel. Their income is the LORD's offerings by fire and His portion."

14 So the LORD ordained that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living from the gospel. 15 But I have not done this and I am not pointing it out so that it will be done for me. It would be better for me to die than have anyone begin doing this now. 16 I do not preach the gospel for what I get. Rather, I say, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel.

COMMENT: Paul means that he does not want money for preaching the gospel. He does get satisfaction from seeing changed lives as he shares what he has learned.

17 For my reward is in doing this thing willingly. But if I were not willing, I still must preach.

COMMENT: Paul feels compelled to preach.

18 So what is my reward? It is that when I preach the gospel without gain, I benefit from not making full use of my right in preaching the gospel. 19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to everyone, so that I may win more.

COMMENT: Paul wants to try to give more than he takes.

20 To the Jews I became a Jew, in an effort to win them. And though I am free from the Law, I came to them under the Law in order to win those under the Law. 21 To those who are not under the Law of God, but under the law of Christ, I came under that law to win them.

COMMENT: Under Christ there is also a law. It is the same law but summarized. It is sometimes referred to as the law of love. It is not new with Jesus, but it is a new emphasis for His time. This new law is really the old law summarized.

Deuteronomy 6:5 "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your might."

Leviticus 19:18 "You shall not take vengeance nor bear a grudge against the children of your people. You are to love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."

Matthew 22:35-39 A lawyer among them put this question to Jesus: [36] "teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" [37] Jesus said to him, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind." [38] "This is the greatest commandment." [39] "The second commandment is like the first. You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

22 To the weak I became weak so that I might win them. I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do everything for the sake of the gospel, so that I too may benefit from it. 24 I know that you realize that all who enter a race run, but only one wins the prize. So run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone competing to win a race practices temperance in all things, and they do this only to receive a perishable wreath. But we are aiming to win what is imperishable. 26 Therefore I run with an aim. I box but I do not beat the air. 27 I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest I should have preached to others and be disqualified myself.

1 Corinthians 10 - RWB Paraphrase (33 V)
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1 My brothers, I want to you remember that our fathers were all under the cloud when they passed through the sea. 2 And in this way they were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 All ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink when they drank from the spiritual rock which followed them. That rock was Christ.

COMMENT: Christ provided their bread and water wherever they were directed to go until they reached the promised land. He did not do this because they were worthy. They proved their unworthiness over and over. God is good to us in spite of our mistakes and lack of faith.

5 Even so, most of them did not please God, so they died in the wilderness. 6 These things happened so that we might learn from them and not wish for that which is evil. 7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were. The scripture describes them as sitting down to eat and drink and then standing up to play.

COMMENT:

Exodus 32:4-6 He took the gold and using a sculpting tool fashioned a golden calf. Then the people said, "This is our god who brought us up out of Egypt." [5] Aaron then built an altar before the calf, and proclaimed, "Tomorrow shall be a feast to the LORD." [6] The next day they got up early and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Then they sat down to eat and drink after which they rose up to play.

8 Neither should we act immorally, as some of them did, so that twenty three thousand fell in one day. 9 Neither do we want to try the LORD, as some of them did, and were destroyed by serpents.

COMMENT:

Numbers 21:5-6 They spoke against God and Moses, saying, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in this wilderness? There is no good food or water and we loathe this manna." [6] The LORD sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people and many of them died.

10 We do not want to grumble as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel. 11 These things happened to them as an example to us, and were written for our instruction upon whom the ends of the world have come.

COMMENT: For the early Christians the end of the world was at hand.

12 Therefore, let him who thinks he stands beware lest he fall.

COMMENT: Evidently we are not to take our saved condition for granted. We are to recognize that we are saved moment by moment.

13 Whatever the temptation, it has come to others and God will not let you be tempted beyond what you are able to withstand. For with the temptation He will provide a way of escape. 14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to men who are wise. Think carefully about what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we share is the communion of the blood of Christ. The bread which we break is the communion of His body. 17 We who are many are of one body and all of us partake of one bread. 18 Look at the nation of Israel. They eat the sacrifices they share together at the altar. 19 Do I mean to say that something sacrificed to idols is significant? 20 By no means! But I do say that the things that the Gentiles sacrifice is sacrificed to demons and not to God. I do not want you to share anything with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the LORD and also the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the LORD and the table of demons. 22 This would provoke the LORD to jealousy and we are not as strong as He is. 23 All things are lawful but not all things are profitable or for our edification. 24 We must not seek our own good, but instead the good of our neighbor. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience' sake. 26 For the earth is the LORD's and all it contains.

COMMENT:

Psalms 24:1 The earth and everything in it belongs to the LORD.

27 If an unbeliever invites you to eat, go and accept what is set before you without asking questions for conscience' sake. 28 On the other hand, if someone says to you, this meat was offered to idols, then for the sake of your conscience do not eat it. Do this also for the sake of the one who informed you. 29 I am not speaking of your conscience, but the other man's. Why should I be judged by another man's conscience? 30 If I eat with thankfulness, why will evil be spoken of me for eating what I have thanked the LORD for? 31 Whatever you eat or drink, do it to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jew or Greek, or to the church of God. 33 For I seek to please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, so that they may be saved.

COMMENT: All of this within God's will, of course.

1 Corinthians 11 - RWB Paraphrase (34 V)
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1 Imitate me just way I imitate Christ. 2 Now I praise you for remembering me in everything, holding to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you. 3 I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man. The head of the woman is man and God is the head of Christ. 4 It is a disgrace for a man to have something on his head while he prays. 5 On the other hand, a woman should cover her head when she prays or prophesies in public. Neither should a woman do these things in public with her head shaved. 6 For if a woman does not cover her head, her hair should be cut off. This way she will want to keep her head covered. 7 A man ought not to have his head covered when he prays because he is the image of the glory of God. But the woman is the glory of man. 8 For the first man did not come from woman, but the first woman came from man. 9 For man was not created for the sake of the woman, but the woman was created for the sake of the man. 10 The covering on her head represents the authority she is willing to be under. The angels are witnesses. 11 Nevertheless, as a couple depend on the LORD, woman is not independent of man and man is not independent of woman. 12 For as the woman originates from the man, so the man is born of the woman, and all originate from God. 13 Judge for yourselves, is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Doesn't nature demonstrate that if a man has long hair it dishonors him? 15 But if a woman has long hair, it is her glory. For her hair is a covering to her. 16 But if any man wants to do otherwise, we have no such custom, either from the churches or from God.

17 Now in this next matter I cannot praise you. 18 First of all, I understand that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you. 19 It seems there are factions among you that are approved by you. 20 So when you meet together, it is not to eat the LORD's supper, 21 for in eating the supper each one takes his own first, leaving one hungry and another drunk. 22 What? Don't you have houses in which to eat and drink? You despise God's church and put to shame those who have nothing. There can be no praise for this conduct. 23 I delivered to you what I received from the LORD. On the night that the LORD Jesus was betrayed He took bread, 24 and after giving thanks, He broke it and said, this is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me. 25 In the same way, after supper He took the cup, saying, this cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the LORD's death until He comes. 27 Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup unworthily, is guilty of the body and the blood of the LORD. 28 A man must examine himself when he eats the bread and drinks the cup. 29 For the one who eats and drinks unworthily, brings judgment on himself for not discerning the LORD's body. 30 This is the reason many of you are weak and sickly. And a number of you sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves correctly, we shall not be judged. 32 Or if we are judges, we are disciplined by the LORD so that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 So then my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for each other.

COMMENT: Do not try to be at the head of the line. Go last.

34 And if anyone comes hungry, he should have eaten his fill at home before coming.

The other matters I will cover when I get there.

1 Corinthians 12 - RWB Paraphrase (31 V)
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1 I would not have you to be ignorant concerning spiritual gifts. 2 You know that as Gentiles you followed after idols. 3 I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God can ever say that Jesus is accursed. Neither can they say He is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are various gifts given by the same Spirit. 5 And there are a variety of ministries even though we serve one Lord. 6 Though He works in each of us in different ways, He is the same God to each of us. 7 He works through each of us for the common good of all. 8 To one the Spirit gives wisdom, and to another He gives knowledge. 9 To yet another, the same Spirit gives faith, and to another the gift of healing. 10 To another He gives the ability to do miracles, and to another the ability to distinguish spirits. To another He gives various tongues and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 The same Spirit is the source of all of these gifts, given to each individual as He see fit. 12 For even as the body has many members, each with its own function, so it is with the body of Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether Jew or Gentile, whether slave or free, and we all drink from one Spirit. 14 This body does not have just one member, but many. 15 It would be foolish for someone to think that because they are not a hand they will not be part of the body. 16 If the ear wishes it were an eye, does this mean it is of less value to the body? 17 If all the body was an eye how could the body hear? If the whole body were only for hearing, how would it have the sense of smell? 18 God has placed each of the members of the body just as He wants them to be. 19 The variety of the body's parts is necessary. 20 So the many parts make up one body. 21 The eye can never say to hand, I do not need you. Neither can the head get along well without the feet. 22 And it also true that the parts of the body which seem weaker are also necessary. 23 Those members of the body thought of as unpresentable are clothed with dignity, 24 whereas our more presentable members have no need of this. God has composed the body giving greater honor to the part that lacked honor. 25 This is so there may be no division, and that all parts of the body may have the same care for each other. 26 If one member suffers, all the members suffer. If one is honored, all the members rejoice with it. 27 So you see that you are individual members of the body of Christ. 28 In the church God has appointed first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then the gift of miracles, then the gift of healing, then helps, administrations and various tongues. 29 Not everyone can be an apostle. Nor can they all be prophets. Neither can everyone be a teacher, or a miracle worker. 30 All cannot have the gift of healing, nor do all speak in various tongues. 31 You should earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I will show you a more excellent way.

1 Corinthians 13 - RWB Paraphrase (13 V)
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1 If I speak with the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am as a noisy gong, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 Though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all my goods to the poor, and my body to be burned, and have not love, it profits nothing. 4 Love is patient and kind, is never jealous, does not brag, is not puffed up, 5 does not act unbecomingly, does not seek its own, is not provoked and does not think evil. 6 It does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, always hopes and endures all things. 8 Love never ends. On the other hand, some of the gifts will eventually be done away with, such as prophecy, tongues and knowledge.

COMMENT: Some gifts will not be needed after this life.

9 We know in part as we prophecy in part.

COMMENT: Prophecy is more than foretelling. It is also Professing truth as God explains it to us. In this life truth seems incomplete.

10 But when the perfect has come, the partial will be done away with.

COMMENT: Then we will know what we cannot know now.

11 When I was a child I spoke as a child and I understood the way a child understands. But when I became a man I put away childish things. 12 For the present we see in a poor mirror, but then we shall see face to face. For now I know only part, but then I shall know even as I am known. 13 The things that matter most are faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 14 - RWB Paraphrase (40 V)
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1 While pursuing love, earnestly desire spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophecy.

COMMENT: Even though Paul just wrote the previous chapter telling us that love is the most important, he now explains that spiritual gifts are important.

2 The gift of tongues does not speak to men, but to God. For the one speaking in tongues speaks of mysteries of the Spirit. 3 But when one prophesies he speaks to men for their edification and comfort.

COMMENT: The prophesying mentioned here is the profession of truth, much like what happens in a sermon, or when we encourage one another.

4 The one speaking in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 Though I might wish you all spoke in tongues, I want even more for each of you to prophesy, for this edifies the church more than speaking in tongues, unless maybe someone interprets the tongue. 6 So my brothers, if I come to you speaking in a tongue, how will you profit unless there is some way for you to know what I have said. 7 Even lifeless things that give sound, such as the flute or the harp, have no value unless the sound produced makes sense. 8 For if the bugle that is used to make a call to battle is not correctly played, it is worse than nothing. 9 So it will be with you unless you speak a clear message that can be understood. 10 There are many languages in the world, each having its own words. 11 If I do not understand a language of the speaker, I will be a foreigner to him and him to me. 12 So when you want any spiritual gift, it should be for the edification of the church. 13 For this reason if someone wants to speak in a tongue, he should pray for someone to interpret. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but I do not understand what I have prayed. 15 I want to be able to pray with the spirit and understand in my mind, and I want to sing with the spirit and understand in my mind. 16 If you are blessed only in your spirit, how can you say Amen with your mind? 17 You may be giving thanks well enough, but others are not edified. 18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 However, in church I would rather speak five words that are understood, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.

20 Brothers, do not be like children in your understanding. 21 In the Law it is written, "Men of other tongues will speak to this people but they will not understand or hear Me," says the LORD.

COMMENT:

Isaiah 28:11 "So He will speak to this people through stammering lips and a foreign tongue."

22 Believers do not need tongues. It is a sign to unbelievers. And prophecy is for believers, not unbelievers. 23 So if the whole church has come together with everyone speaking in tongues, and unbelievers come in, they will think you are mad. 24 But if prophecy is being spoken, the unbeliever may listen and be convicted.

COMMENT: Prophecy here is a sermon or exhortation.

25 He may feel that the secrets of his heart have been disclosed, and fall on his face and worship God, because he sees God is in your midst. 26 What should be the outcome when you assemble, each with a psalm, a teaching, or a revelation, tongue or an interpretation of the tongue? The final result of your worship together should be edifying to all. 27 If any are going to speak in a tongue, let it be limited to two, or maybe three, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no one to interpret, he must keep silent in the church. It is fine for him to speak in tongues to himself or to God when he is not at church.

29 Let two or three prophesy and let the others judge what has been said by them. 30 If someone believes he has a different point of view given him from God, let the first one hold his peace. 31 As you take your turns prophesying, all may benefit. 32 You realize that for prophesy to be truly from God, it will always agree with other prophecy from Him in the present and the past.

COMMENT: It will agree with scripture.

33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace throughout all the churches of the saints.

COMMENT: There will not be one truth in one location and a different truth in another location.

34 The women are to keep silent in churches and not to speak out, just as the Law says.

COMMENT: The law Paul mentions here seems to be similar to a reference he makes in another book he wrote to Timothy. Evidently there were some women who were causing some kind of trouble during church services.

1 Timothy 2:11-14 A woman must quietly receive instruction with submissiveness. [12] I do not allow women to teach or exercise authority over the men, but to keep silent, [13] for Adam was created before Eve. [14] And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman who fell into transgression.

35 If they have questions let them ask their own husbands when they get home. It is improper for a woman to speak in church.

36 Did the word of God originated with you, or are you the only one it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks he has a different idea from what I am saying, let him recognize that I am writing to you what the LORD's has commanded. 38 And anyone unwilling to recognize this should not himself be recognized. 39 Therefore, my brothers, make it your goal to prophesy, but do not forbid the speaking in tongues. 40 All things must be done properly and in an orderly manner.

1 Corinthians 15 - RWB Paraphrase (58 V)
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1 I declare to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you. You accepted it and continue to believe in it. 2 This is the truth by which you are saved unless you believed it in vain. 3 I gave to you what I also received: Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, 4 and He was buried and then rose again on the third day according to scriptures. 5 He appeared to Cephas and then the other disciples. 6 After this He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, and most of these are alive to this day. 7 After that He appeared to James and then all the apostles. 8 Last of all, He appeared also to me, as to one born too late. 9 I am the least of the apostles. I am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the God's church. 10 But by God's grace I am what I am and His grace to me has not been in vain. I labor more than all the others, though it is God's grace at work in me. 11 So you have received the gospel through one of us. 12 If we have preached that Christ rose from the dead, how is that some of you do not believe in the resurrection of the dead? 13 For if there is no resurrection, then Christ has not been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then we have preached in vain and you have believed in vain. 15 Besides this, if He was not raised, then we have been false witnesses of God. 16 For if the dead are not raised then Christ has not been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised then your faith is of no value and you are still in your sins. 18 And those who have fallen asleep believing in Christ have perished. 19 If our hope in Christ is only for this life then we are to be most pitied of all men. 20 But Christ has been raised from the dead and is the first fruits of those who are asleep. 21 For through Adam death came to everyone, but the resurrection of the dead has also come by a Man. 22 For in Adam all die, and by Christ all may be made alive. 23 But it all happens in the right order: Christ the first fruits and after that those who belong to Him at His coming. 24 Then when all has been accomplished and all rogue powers have been put down, He will hand over the kingdom to our God and Father, 25 for He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. 26 For the last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For He has put all things under His feet, and when this is finally accomplished, it will be evident that all is in subjection to Him.

COMMENT:

Psalms 8:6 You have made him to rule over the works of Your hands, placing everything under his feet.

28 When all things are subject to Him, then the Son will be subject to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all. 29 Otherwise, what shall be done for those who are baptized for the dead? Why be baptized in their behalf? 30 Why do we stand in jeopardy every hour? 31 I protest, my brethren, by rejoicing in you whom I have in Christ Jesus our Lord. I die every day!

COMMENT: Paul is affirming that he is always ready to die for the sake of the gospel.

32 Even if from human motives I fought with wild beasts at Ephesus, what does it matter? If the dead are not raised, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. 33 Do not be deceived. Bad company corrupts good morals.

34 Awake to righteousness and do not sin. It is to your shame if you do not have the knowledge of God. 35 But some may ask, how are the dead raised? And what kind of body will they have? 36 Do not be foolish in you thinking. The seed must be planted and die in order to come to new life. 37 You must think of your body as you would a grain of wheat. 38 And God gives it a body of its own according to His plan. 39 All flesh is not the same. Men, animals, birds and fish are each different. 40 There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, each with its own glory. 41 There is one glory of the sun and another of the moon. And there are still other glories in each of the stars. 42 So it will be at the resurrection of the dead. A perishable body is sown to eventually be raise as an imperishable body. 43 That which is sown in dishonor will be raised in glory, though sown in weakness, it will be raised in power. 44 It is sown a natural body but will be raised a spiritual body. 45 Just as it is written, the first man, Adam, became a living soul. The last Adam became a life giving Spirit. 46 The physical comes first and then the spiritual. 47 The first man came from the earth. The second man is from heaven. 48 While on this earth we are earthly. And when we are in heaven we will be heavenly. 49 Just as we have been known in our earthly bodies, so we will be known in our heavenly bodies.

50 Now I will say this, brethren; Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, just as the perishable does not inherit the imperishable. 51 I will tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed. 52 It will happen in a moment, as quick as the blink of an eye. At the last trumpet, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 When this change has become reality, then it will be as it is written, death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? Where is your string?

COMMENT:

Isaiah 25:8 "He will swallow up death for all time, and the LORD GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, and He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken."

Hosea 13:14 "Shall I ransom them from the power of the grave? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? I have no compassion."

56 For the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

COMMENT:

Hosea 13:14 "Shall I ransom them from the power of the grave? Shall I redeem them from Death? O Death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? I have no compassion."

57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. 58 Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the LORD's work knowing that your toil is not in vain when it is in the LORD.

1 Corinthians 16 - RWB Paraphrase (24 V)
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1 Now in regards to the collection for the saints, I have directed the churches in Galatia just as I am directing you. 2 On the first day of each week each one should begin saving as the LORD prospers him, so that no collection need be made when I arrive.

COMMENT: This is not a collection taken on the first day of the week. They are being directed to prepare early in the week for the offering they will give.

3 When I arrive I will send whoever you chose with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it is fitting for me to go also. We will go together. 5 I will come to you after I have gone through Macedonia, for I must go there. 6 I might even stay with you through the winter before you send me on my way. 7 I would prefer to see you for more than just a short bit of time. But we will see what the LORD permits. 8 I will remain in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a door has opened for me to deal with many adversaries. 10 Now if Timothy comes, help him to do his work with boldness, for he too is doing the LORD's work. 11 Be sure that he has everyone's respect. Then send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, for I am looking for him as are the brethren. 12 Concerning our brother, Apollos, I have encouraged him to come to you with the brethren, and he will come when he can. 13 Be alert and stand for the faith, acting as men, being strong. 14 Do everything in love.

15 Now I urge you, brethren, you know that those of the household of Stephanas were the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints, 16 and that you subject yourselves to such laborers, and to everyone who has labored with us. 17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Achaicus. Whatever you lack, they will supply. 18 They have been refreshing to me and to you. Therefore, acknowledge such men. 19 The churches of Asia send their greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you heartily in the LORD, along with the church in their house. 20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. 21 This greeting is written in my own hand, Paul. 22 If anyone does not love the LORD, he is accursed. Maranatha. 23 The grace of the LORD Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love is with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16