I CORINTHIANS VIII

Now concerning things offered in sacrifice unto idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love buildeth up. If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know; but if any man loveth God, the same is known of him.

Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no God but one. For though there be that are called gods, yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him. Howbeit there is not in all men this knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But meat commendeth us not to God: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better.

But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak. For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol's temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed unto idols? Through thy knowledge shall he that is weak perish, the brother for whose sake Christ even died? And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Christ. Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.

I CORINTHIANS IX

Romans xiv. Philippians iii. II Timothy ii. Hebrews xii

My defence to them that examine me is this: Am I not a free man? Have I not the right to eat and drink? All things are lawful for me; but not all things are profitable. All things are indeed lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any.

Yea, though I am free, I bring myself under bondage, that I may gain the more. I suffer hardship, as a good soldier. Now no soldier on service entangleth himself in the affairs of life; that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier. Or know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? And every one that striveth for mastery in the games exerciseth self-control in all things. I therefore so run, as not uncertainly; so fight I, as not beating the air: but I buffet my body, and bring it into bondage; lest by any means, after that I have been a herald to others, I myself should be rejected.

Let us therefore, as many as would be perfect, be thus minded. Let us lay aside every encumbrance, and the sin which doth closely cling to us, and let us run with stedfastness the race that is set before us.

I CORINTHIANS XII

Romans xii. I Peter iv

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. For there are

diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord. And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal. For to one is given through the Spirit the word of wisdom; and to another the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit: to another faith, in the same Spirit; and to another gifts of healings, in the one Spirit; and to another workings of signs; and to another prophecy; and to another discernings of spirits: to another divers kinds of tongues: but all these worketh the one and the same Spirit, dividing to each one severally even as he will.

According therefore as God hath distributed to each man, as each hath received the gift, minister it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. And having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith; he that teacheth, let him give himself to his teaching; he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness; if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering as of the strength which God supplieth: that in all things God may be glorified, whose is the power and the dominion for ever and ever.

I CORINTHIANS VII, XII

Now ye are the body of Christ, and members thereof each in his part. And as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members have not the same office: so also is Christ.

For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? But now hath God set the members each one of them in the body, even as it pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now they are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee: or again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be more feeble are necessary: and those parts of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon those we now bestow more abundant honour; and so our uncomely parts come to have more abundant comeliness, while yet our comely parts suffer no lack. For God hath tempered the body together, that there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffereth, all the members suffer with it; or one member is honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

Even so, ye are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, then powers, then gifts of healings, helps, wise counsels, divers kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of powers? have all gifts of healings? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, even so let him walk.

I CORINTHIANS XIII

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing.

Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not its own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; rejoiceth not in unrighteousness, but rejoiceth with the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Love never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be know