The Joy of Going to the House of the Lord

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

122 I was glad when they said to me,
(A)“Let us go into the house of the Lord.”
Our feet have been standing
Within your gates, O Jerusalem!

Jerusalem is built
As a city that is (B)compact together,
(C)Where the tribes go up,
The tribes of the Lord,
[a]To (D)the Testimony of Israel,
To give thanks to the name of the Lord.
(E)For thrones are set there for judgment,
The thrones of the house of David.

(F)Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.
Peace be within your walls,
Prosperity within your palaces.”
For the sake of my brethren and companions,
I will now say, “Peace be within you.”
Because of the house of the Lord our God
I will (G)seek your good.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 122:4 Or As a testimony to

Psalm 122

A song of ascents. Of David.

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
    “Let us go to the house of the Lord.”
Our feet are standing
    in your gates, Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built like a city
    that is closely compacted together.
That is where the tribes go up—
    the tribes of the Lord
to praise the name of the Lord
    according to the statute given to Israel.
There stand the thrones for judgment,
    the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
    “May those who love(A) you be secure.
May there be peace(B) within your walls
    and security within your citadels.(C)
For the sake of my family and friends,
    I will say, “Peace be within you.”
For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
    I will seek your prosperity.(D)

A Pattern of Self-Denial

Am (A)I not an apostle? Am I not free? (B)Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? (C)Are you not my work in the Lord? If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you. For you are (D)the [a]seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

My defense to those who examine me is this: (E)Do we have no [b]right to eat and drink? Do we have no right to take along [c]a believing wife, as do also the other apostles, (F)the brothers of the Lord, and (G)Cephas? Or is it only Barnabas and I (H)who have no right to refrain from working? Who ever (I)goes to war at his own expense? Who (J)plants a vineyard and does not eat of its fruit? Or who (K)tends a flock and does not drink of the milk of the flock?

Do I say these things as a mere man? Or does not the law say the same also? For it is written in the law of Moses, (L)“You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it oxen God is concerned about? 10 Or does He say it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written, that (M)he who plows should plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 (N)If we have sown spiritual things for you, is it a great thing if we reap your material things? 12 If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more?

(O)Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things (P)lest we hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 (Q)Do you not know that those who minister the holy things eat of the things of the (R)temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of the offerings of the altar? 14 Even so (S)the Lord has commanded (T)that those who preach the gospel should live from the gospel.

15 But (U)I have used none of these things, nor have I written these things that it should be done so to me; for (V)it would be better for me to die than that anyone should make my boasting void. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for (W)necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel! 17 For if I do this willingly, (X)I have a reward; but if against my will, (Y)I have been entrusted with a stewardship. 18 What is my reward then? That (Z)when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel [d]of Christ without charge, that I (AA)may not abuse my authority in the gospel.

Serving All Men

19 For though I am (AB)free from all men, (AC)I have made myself a servant to all, (AD)that I might win the more; 20 and (AE)to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the [e]law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21 (AF)to (AG)those who are without law, as without law (AH)(not being without [f]law toward God, but under [g]law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22 (AI)to the weak I became [h]as weak, that I might win the weak. (AJ)I have become all things to all men, (AK)that I might by all means save some. 23 Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Striving for a Crown

24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? (AL)Run in such a way that you may [i]obtain it. 25 And everyone who competes for the prize [j]is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for (AM)an imperishable crown. 26 Therefore I run thus: (AN)not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. 27 (AO)But I discipline my body and (AP)bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become (AQ)disqualified.

Old Testament Examples

10 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under (AR)the cloud, all passed through (AS)the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same (AT)spiritual food, and all drank the same (AU)spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ. But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies (AV)were scattered in the wilderness.

Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as (AW)they also lusted. (AX)And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, (AY)“The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” (AZ)Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as (BA)some of them did, and (BB)in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us [k]tempt Christ, as (BC)some of them also tempted, and (BD)were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor complain, as (BE)some of them also complained, and (BF)were destroyed by (BG)the destroyer. 11 Now [l]all these things happened to them as examples, and (BH)they were written for our [m]admonition, (BI)upon whom the ends of the ages have come.

12 Therefore (BJ)let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. 13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but (BK)God is faithful, (BL)who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to [n]bear it.

Flee from Idolatry

14 Therefore, my beloved, (BM)flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to (BN)wise men; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 (BO)The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the [o]communion of the blood of Christ? (BP)The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 17 For (BQ)we, though many, are one bread and one body; for we all partake of that one bread.

18 Observe (BR)Israel (BS)after the flesh: (BT)Are not those who eat of the sacrifices [p]partakers of the altar? 19 What am I saying then? (BU)That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles (BV)sacrifice (BW)they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 (BX)You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and (BY)the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the (BZ)Lord’s table and of the table of demons. 22 Or do we (CA)provoke the Lord to jealousy? (CB)Are we stronger than He?

All to the Glory of God(CC)

23 All things are lawful [q]for me, but not all things are (CD)helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things [r]edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one (CE)the other’s well-being.

25 (CF)Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience’ sake; 26 for (CG)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.”

27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, (CH)eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience’ sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, “This was offered to idols,” do not eat it (CI)for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience’ sake; [s]for (CJ)“the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” 29 “Conscience,” I say, not your own, but that of the other. For (CK)why is my liberty judged by another man’s conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food (CL)over which I give thanks?

31 (CM)Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 (CN)Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just (CO)as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.

Worship and the Lord’s Supper

11 Imitate(CP) me, just as I also imitate Christ.

Head Coverings

Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you. But I want you to know that (CQ)the head of every man is Christ, (CR)the head of woman is man, and (CS)the head of Christ is God. Every man praying or (CT)prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, for that is one and the same as if her head were (CU)shaved. For if a woman is not covered, let her also be shorn. But if it is (CV)shameful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since (CW)he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man. For man is not from woman, but woman (CX)from man. Nor was man created for the woman, but woman (CY)for the man. 10 For this reason the woman ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels. 11 Nevertheless, (CZ)neither is man independent of woman, nor woman independent of man, in the Lord. 12 For as woman came from man, even so man also comes through woman; but all things are from God.

13 Judge among yourselves. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? 14 Does not even nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair, it is a dishonor to him? 15 But if a woman has long hair, it is a glory to her; for her hair is given [t]to her for a covering. 16 But (DA)if anyone seems to be contentious, we have no such custom, (DB)nor do the churches of God.

Conduct at the Lord’s Supper

17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, (DC)I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For (DD)there must also be factions among you, (DE)that those who are approved may be [u]recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and (DF)another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise (DG)the church of God and (DH)shame [v]those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

Institution of the Lord’s Supper(DI)

23 For (DJ)I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: (DK)that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, [w]“Take, eat; this is My body which is [x]broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, 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 (DL)till He comes.

Examine Yourself

27 Therefore whoever eats (DM)this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and [y]blood of the Lord. 28 But (DN)let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks [z]in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the [aa]Lord’s body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many [ab]sleep. 31 For (DO)if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, (DP)we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

33 Therefore, my brethren, when you (DQ)come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Corinthians 9:2 certification
  2. 1 Corinthians 9:4 authority
  3. 1 Corinthians 9:5 Lit. a sister, a wife
  4. 1 Corinthians 9:18 NU omits of Christ
  5. 1 Corinthians 9:20 NU adds though not being myself under the law
  6. 1 Corinthians 9:21 NU God’s law
  7. 1 Corinthians 9:21 NU Christ’s law
  8. 1 Corinthians 9:22 NU omits as
  9. 1 Corinthians 9:24 win
  10. 1 Corinthians 9:25 exercises self-control
  11. 1 Corinthians 10:9 test
  12. 1 Corinthians 10:11 NU omits all
  13. 1 Corinthians 10:11 instruction
  14. 1 Corinthians 10:13 endure
  15. 1 Corinthians 10:16 fellowship or sharing
  16. 1 Corinthians 10:18 fellowshippers or sharers
  17. 1 Corinthians 10:23 NU omits for me
  18. 1 Corinthians 10:23 build up
  19. 1 Corinthians 10:28 NU omits the rest of v. 28.
  20. 1 Corinthians 11:15 M omits to her
  21. 1 Corinthians 11:19 Lit. manifest, evident
  22. 1 Corinthians 11:22 The poor
  23. 1 Corinthians 11:24 NU omits Take, eat
  24. 1 Corinthians 11:24 NU omits broken
  25. 1 Corinthians 11:27 NU, M the blood
  26. 1 Corinthians 11:29 NU omits in an unworthy manner
  27. 1 Corinthians 11:29 NU omits Lord’s
  28. 1 Corinthians 11:30 Are dead

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