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Am I not free? am I not an apostle? have I not seen Jesus our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? If to others I am not an apostle, yet at least I am to you; for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. My defence to them that examine me is this. Have we no right to eat and to drink? Have we no right to lead about a wife that is a [a]believer, even as the rest of the apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? Or I only and Barnabas, have we not a right to forbear working? What soldier ever serveth at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? Do I speak these things after the manner of men? or saith not the law also the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, [b]Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. Is it for the oxen that God careth, 10 or saith he it [c]assuredly for our sake? Yea, for our sake it was written: because he that ploweth ought to plow in hope, and he that thresheth, to thresh in hope of partaking. 11 If we sowed unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if we shall reap your carnal things? 12 If others partake of this right over you, do not we yet more? Nevertheless we did not use this right; but we bear all things, that we may cause no hindrance to the [d]gospel of Christ. 13 Know ye not that they that minister about sacred things eat of the things of the temple, and they that wait upon the altar have their portion with the altar? 14 Even so did the Lord ordain that they that proclaim the [e]gospel should live of the [f]gospel. 15 But I have used none of these things: and I write not these things that it may be so done in my case; for it were good for me rather to die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For if I [g]preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of; for necessity is laid upon me; for woe is unto me, if I [h]preach not the gospel. 17 For if I do this of mine own will, I have a reward: but if not of mine own will, I have a stewardship intrusted to me. 18 What then is my reward? That, when I [i]preach the gospel, I may make the [j]gospel without charge, so as not to use to the full my right in the [k]gospel. 19 For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. 20 And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, not being myself under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21 to them that are without law, as without law, not being without law to God, but under law to Christ, that I might gain them that are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some. 23 And I do all things for the [l]gospel’s sake, that I may be a joint partaker thereof. 24 Know ye not that they that run in a [m]race run all, but one receiveth the prize? Even so run; that ye may attain. 25 And every man that striveth in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. Now they do it to receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so [n]fight I, as not beating the air: 27 but I [o]buffet my body, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I [p]have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.

10 For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized [q]unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual food; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of a spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was [r]Christ. Howbeit with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now [s]these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, [t]The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand. Neither let us make trial of the [u]Lord, as some of them made trial, and perished by the serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them murmured, and perished by the destroyer. 11 Now these things happened unto them [v]by way of example; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages are come. 12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as man can bear: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.

14 Wherefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a [w]communion of the blood of Christ? The [x]bread which we break, is it not a [y]communion of the body of Christ? 17 [z]seeing that we, who are many, are one [aa]bread, one body: for we all partake [ab]of the one [ac]bread. 18 Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar? 19 What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons. 21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?

23 All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things [ad]edify. 24 Let no man seek his own, but each [ae]his neighbor’s good. 25 Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake; 26 for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof. 27 If one of them that believe not biddeth you to a feast, and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience’ sake: 29 conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other’s; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience? 30 [af]If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of God: 33 even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved. 11 Be ye imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Now I praise you that ye remember me in all things, and hold fast the traditions, even as I delivered them to you. 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. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. But every woman praying or prophesying with her head unveiled dishonoreth her head; for it is one and the same thing as if she were shaven. For if a woman is not veiled, let her also be shorn: but if it is a shame to a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be veiled. For a man indeed ought not to have his head veiled, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man: for neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man: 10 for this cause ought the woman to have a sign of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, neither is the woman without the man, nor the man without the woman, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the man, so is the man also by the woman; but all things are of God. 13 Judge ye [ag]in yourselves: is it seemly that a woman pray unto God unveiled? 14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16 But if any man seemeth to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

17 But in giving you this charge, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when ye come together [ah]in the church, I hear that [ai]divisions exist among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also [aj]factions among you, that they that are approved may be made manifest among you. 20 When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible to eat the Lord’s supper: 21 for in your eating each one taketh before other his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22 What, have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the [ak]church of God, and put them to shame that [al]have not? What shall I say to you? [am]shall I praise you? In this I praise you not. 23 For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was [an]betrayed took bread; 24 and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my body, which [ao]is for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25 In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord’s death till he come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself, if he [ap]discern not the body. 30 For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep. 31 But if we [aq]discerned ourselves, we should not be judged. 32 But [ar]when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, wait one for another. 34 If any man is hungry, let him eat at home; that your coming together be not unto judgment. And the rest will I set in order whensoever I come.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:5 Greek sister.
  2. 1 Corinthians 9:9 Dt. 25:4.
  3. 1 Corinthians 9:10 Or, altogether
  4. 1 Corinthians 9:12 See marginal note on 4:15.
  5. 1 Corinthians 9:14 See marginal note on 4:15.
  6. 1 Corinthians 9:14 See marginal note on 4:15.
  7. 1 Corinthians 9:16 See marginal note on 1:17.
  8. 1 Corinthians 9:16 See marginal note on 1:17.
  9. 1 Corinthians 9:18 See marginal note on 1:17.
  10. 1 Corinthians 9:18 See marginal note on 4:15.
  11. 1 Corinthians 9:18 See marginal note on 4:15.
  12. 1 Corinthians 9:23 See marginal note on 4:15.
  13. 1 Corinthians 9:24 Greek race-course.
  14. 1 Corinthians 9:26 Greek box.
  15. 1 Corinthians 9:27 Greek bruise. Lk. 18:5.
  16. 1 Corinthians 9:27 Or, have been a herald
  17. 1 Corinthians 10:2 Greek into.
  18. 1 Corinthians 10:4 Or, the Christ. Compare Heb. 11:26.
  19. 1 Corinthians 10:6 Or, in these things they became figures of us
  20. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Ex. 32:6.
  21. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some ancient authorities read Christ.
  22. 1 Corinthians 10:11 Greek by way of figure.
  23. 1 Corinthians 10:16 Or, participation in
  24. 1 Corinthians 10:16 Or, loaf
  25. 1 Corinthians 10:16 Or, participation in
  26. 1 Corinthians 10:17 Or, seeing that there is one bread, we, who are many, are one body
  27. 1 Corinthians 10:17 Or, loaf
  28. 1 Corinthians 10:17 Greek from.
  29. 1 Corinthians 10:17 Or, loaf
  30. 1 Corinthians 10:23 Greek build up.
  31. 1 Corinthians 10:24 Greek the other’s. See Rom. 13:8.
  32. 1 Corinthians 10:30 Or, If I by grace partake
  33. 1 Corinthians 11:13 Or, among
  34. 1 Corinthians 11:18 Or, in congregation
  35. 1 Corinthians 11:18 Greek schisms.
  36. 1 Corinthians 11:19 Greek heresies.
  37. 1 Corinthians 11:22 Or, congregation
  38. 1 Corinthians 11:22 Or, having nothing
  39. 1 Corinthians 11:22 Or, shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
  40. 1 Corinthians 11:23 Or, delivered up
  41. 1 Corinthians 11:24 Many ancient authorities read is broken for you.
  42. 1 Corinthians 11:29 Greek discriminate.
  43. 1 Corinthians 11:31 Greek discriminated.
  44. 1 Corinthians 11:32 Or, when we are judged of the Lord, we are chastened

Paul’s Rights as an Apostle

Am I not free?(A) Am I not an apostle?(B) Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?(C) Are you not the result of my work in the Lord?(D) Even though I may not be an apostle to others, surely I am to you! For you are the seal(E) of my apostleship in the Lord.

This is my defense to those who sit in judgment on me. Don’t we have the right to food and drink?(F) Don’t we have the right to take a believing wife(G) along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers(H) and Cephas[a]?(I) Or is it only I and Barnabas(J) who lack the right to not work for a living?

Who serves as a soldier(K) at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard(L) and does not eat its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink the milk? Do I say this merely on human authority? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.”[b](M) Is it about oxen that God is concerned?(N) 10 Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us,(O) because whoever plows and threshes should be able to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest.(P) 11 If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you?(Q) 12 If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?

But we did not use this right.(R) On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder(S) the gospel of Christ.

13 Don’t you know that those who serve in the temple get their food from the temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar?(T) 14 In the same way, the Lord has commanded that those who preach the gospel should receive their living from the gospel.(U)

15 But I have not used any of these rights.(V) And I am not writing this in the hope that you will do such things for me, for I would rather die than allow anyone to deprive me of this boast.(W) 16 For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach.(X) Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 If I preach voluntarily, I have a reward;(Y) if not voluntarily, I am simply discharging the trust committed to me.(Z) 18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in preaching the gospel I may offer it free of charge,(AA) and so not make full use of my rights(AB) as a preacher of the gospel.

Paul’s Use of His Freedom

19 Though I am free(AC) and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone,(AD) to win as many as possible.(AE) 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews.(AF) To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law),(AG) so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law(AH) (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law),(AI) so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.(AJ) I have become all things to all people(AK) so that by all possible means I might save some.(AL) 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

The Need for Self-Discipline

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize?(AM) Run(AN) in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown(AO) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.(AP) 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;(AQ) I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.(AR) 27 No, I strike a blow to my body(AS) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.(AT)

Warnings From Israel’s History

10 For I do not want you to be ignorant(AU) of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud(AV) and that they all passed through the sea.(AW) They were all baptized into(AX) Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food(AY) and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock(AZ) that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.(BA)

Now these things occurred as examples(BB) to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters,(BC) as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.”[c](BD) We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died.(BE) We should not test Christ,[d](BF) as some of them did—and were killed by snakes.(BG) 10 And do not grumble, as some of them did(BH)—and were killed(BI) by the destroying angel.(BJ)

11 These things happened to them as examples(BK) and were written down as warnings for us,(BL) on whom the culmination of the ages has come.(BM) 12 So, if you think you are standing firm,(BN) be careful that you don’t fall! 13 No temptation[e] has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful;(BO) he will not let you be tempted[f] beyond what you can bear.(BP) But when you are tempted,[g] he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Idol Feasts and the Lord’s Supper

14 Therefore, my dear friends,(BQ) flee from idolatry.(BR) 15 I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break(BS) a participation in the body of Christ?(BT) 17 Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body,(BU) for we all share the one loaf.

18 Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices(BV) participate in the altar? 19 Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything?(BW) 20 No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons,(BX) not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons.(BY) 22 Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy?(BZ) Are we stronger than he?(CA)

The Believer’s Freedom

23 “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.(CB) “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. 24 No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.(CC)

25 Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience,(CD) 26 for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”[h](CE)

27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you(CF) without raising questions of conscience. 28 But if someone says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then do not eat it, both for the sake of the one who told you and for the sake of conscience.(CG) 29 I am referring to the other person’s conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom(CH) being judged by another’s conscience? 30 If I take part in the meal with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of something I thank God for?(CI)

31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.(CJ) 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble,(CK) whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God(CL) 33 even as I try to please everyone in every way.(CM) For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many,(CN) so that they may be saved.(CO) 11 Follow my example,(CP) as I follow the example of Christ.(CQ)

On Covering the Head in Worship

I praise you(CR) for remembering me in everything(CS) and for holding to the traditions just as I passed them on to you.(CT) But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ,(CU) and the head of the woman is man,[i](CV) and the head of Christ is God.(CW) Every man who prays or prophesies(CX) with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies(CY) with her head uncovered dishonors her head—it is the same as having her head shaved.(CZ) For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.

A man ought not to cover his head,[j] since he is the image(DA) and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man did not come from woman, but woman from man;(DB) neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.(DC) 10 It is for this reason that a woman ought to have authority over her own[k] head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman. 12 For as woman came from man, so also man is born of woman. But everything comes from God.(DD)

13 Judge for yourselves: Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not the very nature of things teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a disgrace to him, 15 but that if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For long hair is given to her as a covering. 16 If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.(DE)

Correcting an Abuse of the Lord’s Supper(DF)

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you,(DG) for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions(DH) among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.(DI) 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers.(DJ) As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God(DK) by humiliating those who have nothing?(DL) What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you?(DM) Certainly not in this matter!

23 For I received from the Lord(DN) what I also passed on to you:(DO) The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body,(DP) 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(DQ) in my blood;(DR) do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.(DS)

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord.(DT) 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves(DU) before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.(DV) 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.(DW) 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined(DX) so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.(DY)

33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry(DZ) should eat something at home,(EA) so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.

And when I come(EB) I will give further directions.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:5 That is, Peter
  2. 1 Corinthians 9:9 Deut. 25:4
  3. 1 Corinthians 10:7 Exodus 32:6
  4. 1 Corinthians 10:9 Some manuscripts test the Lord
  5. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  6. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  7. 1 Corinthians 10:13 The Greek for temptation and tempted can also mean testing and tested.
  8. 1 Corinthians 10:26 Psalm 24:1
  9. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Or of the wife is her husband
  10. 1 Corinthians 11:7 Or Every man who prays or prophesies with long hair dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with no covering of hair dishonors her head—she is just like one of the “shorn women.” If a woman has no covering, let her be for now with short hair; but since it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair shorn or shaved, she should grow it again. A man ought not to have long hair
  11. 1 Corinthians 11:10 Or have a sign of authority on her