AUL

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF PAUL

TO THE CORINTHIANS

I CORINTHIANS I

For

Now the word of the cross is to some foolishness; but unto us it is the power of God. it is written:

I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,

And will bring to nought the discernment of the prudent.

Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For seeing that the world through its wisdom knew not God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. For Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek after wisdom: but we preach Christ crucified, unto Jews a stumblingblock, and unto Gentiles foolishness; but unto them that are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

For ye behold your calling, brethren, that not many wise after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: but God chose the foolish things of the world, that he might put to shame them that are wise; and God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame

the things that are strong; and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, yea, the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are: that no flesh should glory before God. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who was made unto us wisdom from God, both righteousness and sanctification and redemption: that, according as it is written,

He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

I CORINTHIANS II

Now I, brethren, when I came unto you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with enticing words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should stand, not in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

Howbeit among them that are fullgrown we do speak wisdom: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, that come to nought: but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the worlds unto our glory: as it is written:

Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, And which entered not into the heart of man, Even the things which God prepared for them that love him.

For unto us God revealed them through the Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God. But the unspiritual man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for unto him they are foolishness; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God; that we may know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; interpreting spiritual things to spiritual men.

I CORINTHIANS I, III

Now I beseech you, brethren, that ye be perfected together in one mind, having the same spirit. For it hath been signified unto me that there are divisions among you. This I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I am of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul? What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him. I planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any

thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and

he that watereth are one: but each shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are God's fellow-workers: ye are God's husbandry, God's building.

According to the grace of God which was given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder I laid a foundation; and another buildeth thereon. But let each man take heed how he buildeth thereon. For other foundation can no man lay than that which is laid, even Jesus Christ. But if any man buildeth on the foundation gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay, stubble; each man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work shall abide which he built thereon, he shall receive reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as through fire.

Let no man deceive himself. If any man thinketh that he is wise among you in this world, let him become a fool, that he may become wise! For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. Wherefore let no one glory in men. all things are yours; whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas; or the world or life or death; or things present or things to come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's.

For

I CORINTHIANS VI

Romans vi, xii. I Peter ii, iv

I beseech you, as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul. For the body is not for sin, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. Or know ye not that your body is a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? And the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof: neither present your bodies unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto him.

For know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? For if ye be servants of sin, ye are without righteousness; but if ye become servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end life eternal.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. For ye are not your own; but ye were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Arm yourselves with this mind, and ye shall no longer live to the lusts of men, but to the will and glory of God.