聖經365恩典之旅

林前12:1弟兄們，論到屬靈的恩賜，我不願意你們不明白。

林前12:2你們作外邦人的時候，隨事被牽引受迷惑，去服事那啞吧偶像，這是你們知道的。

林前12:3所以我告訴你們，被神的靈感動的，沒有說耶穌是可咒詛的，若不是被聖靈感動的，也沒有能說耶穌是主的。

林前12:4恩賜原有分別，聖靈卻是一位。

林前12:5職事也有分別，主卻是一位。

林前12:6功用也有分別，神卻是一位，在眾人裡面運行一切的事。

林前12:7聖靈顯在各人身上，是叫人得益處。

林前12:8這人蒙聖靈賜他智慧的言語，那人也蒙這位聖靈賜他知識的言語。

林前12:9又有一人蒙這位聖靈賜他信心，還有一人蒙這位聖靈賜他醫病的恩賜。

林前12:10又叫一人能行異能，又叫一人能作先知，又叫一人能辨別諸靈，又叫一人能說方言，又叫一人能繙方言。

林前12:11這一切都是這位聖靈所運行，隨己意分給各人的。

林前12:12就如身子是一個，卻有許多肢體，而且肢體雖多，仍是一個身子，基督也是這樣。

林前12:13我們不拘是猶太人，是希利尼人，是為奴的，是自主的，都從一位聖靈受洗，成了一個身體，飲於一位聖靈。

林前12:14身子原不是一個肢體，乃是許多肢體。

林前12:15設若腳說：我不是手，所以不屬乎身子，他不能因此就不屬乎身子。

林前12:16設若耳說：我不是眼，所以不屬乎身子，他也不能因此就不屬乎身子。

林前12:17若全身是眼，從那裡聽聲呢，若全身是耳，從那裡聞味呢。

林前12:18但如今神自己的意思，把肢體俱各安排在身上了。

林前12:19若都是一個肢體，身子在那裡呢。

林前12:20但如今肢體是多的，身子卻是一個。

林前12:21眼不能對手說：我用不著你，頭也不能對腳說：我用不著你。

林前12:22不但如此，身上肢體人以為軟弱的，更是不可少的。

林前12:23身上肢體，我們看為不體面的，越發給他加上體面，不俊美的，越發得著俊美。

林前12:24我們俊美的肢體，自然用不著裝飾，但神配搭這身子，把加倍的體面給那有缺欠的肢體。

林前12:25免得身上分門別類，總要肢體彼此相顧。

林前12:26若一個肢體受苦，所有的肢體就一同受苦，若一個肢體得榮耀，所有的肢體就一同快樂。

林前12:27你們就是基督的身子，並且各自作肢體。

林前12:28神在教會所設立的，第一是使徒，第二是先知，第三是教師，其次是行異能的，再次是得恩賜醫病的，幫助人的，治理事的，說方言的。

林前12:29豈都是使徒麼，豈都是先知麼，豈都是教師麼，豈都是行異能的麼。

林前12:30豈都是得恩賜醫病的麼，豈都是說方言的麼，豈都是繙方言的麼。

林前12:31你們要切切的求那更大的恩賜，我現今把最妙的道指示你們。

 

林前13:1我若能說萬人的方言，並天使的話語，卻沒有愛，我就成了鳴的鑼，響的鈸一般。

林前13:2我若有先知講道之能，也明白各樣的奧秘，各樣的知識，而且有全備的信，叫我能夠移山，卻沒有愛，我就算不得甚麼。

林前13:3我若將所有的賙濟窮人，又捨己身叫人焚燒，卻沒有愛，仍然與我無益。

林前13:4愛是恆久忍耐，又有恩慈，愛是不嫉妒，愛是不自誇，不張狂。

林前13:5不作害羞的事，不求自己的益處，不輕易發怒，不計算人的惡。

林前13:6不喜歡不義，只喜歡真理。

林前13:7凡事包容，凡事相信，凡事盼望，凡事忍耐。

林前13:8愛是永不止息，先知講道之能，終必歸於無有，說方言之能，終必停止，知識也終必歸於無有。

林前13:9我們現在所知道的有限，先知所講的也有限。

林前13:10等那完全的來到，這有限的必歸於無有了。

林前13:11我作孩子的時候，話語像孩子，心思像孩子，意念像孩子，既成了人，就把孩子的事丟棄了。

林前13:12我們如今彷彿對著鏡子觀看，模糊不清，〔模糊不清原文作如同猜謎〕到那時，就要面對面了，我如今所知道的有限，到那時就全知道，如同主知道我一樣。

林前13:13如今常存的有信，有望，有愛，這三樣，其中最大的是愛。

 

林前14:1你們要追求愛，也要切慕屬靈的恩賜，其中更要羡慕的，是作先知講道。〔原文作是說豫言下同〕

林前14:2那說方言的，原不是對人說：乃是對神說：因為沒有人聽出來，然而他在心靈裡，卻是講說各樣的奧秘。

林前14:3但作先知講道的，是對人說：要造就，安慰，勸勉人。

林前14:4說方言的，是造就自己，作先知講道的，乃是造就教會。

林前14:5我願意你們都說方言，更願意你們作先知講道，因為說方言的，若不繙出來，使教會被造就，那作先知講道的，就比他強了。

林前14:6弟兄們，我到你們那裡去，若只說方言，不用啟示，或知識，或豫言，或教訓，給你們講解，我與你們有甚麼益處呢。

林前14:7就是那有聲無氣的物，或簫，或琴，若發出來的聲音，沒有分別，怎能知道所吹所彈的是甚麼呢。

林前14:8若吹無定的號聲，誰能豫備打仗呢。

林前14:9你們也是如此，舌頭若不說容易明白的話，怎能知道所說的是甚麼呢，這就是向空說話了。

林前14:10世上的聲音，或者甚多，卻沒有一樣是無意思的。

林前14:11我若不明白那聲音的意思，這說話的人必以我為化外之人，我也以他為化外之人。

林前14:12你們也是如此，既是切慕屬靈的恩賜，就當求多得造就教會的恩賜。

林前14:13所以那說方言的，就當求著能繙出來。

林前14:14我若用方言禱告，是我的靈禱告，但我的悟性沒有果效。

林前14:15這卻怎麼樣呢，我要用靈禱告，也要用悟性禱告，我要用靈歌唱，也要用悟性歌唱。

林前14:16不然，你用靈祝謝，那在座不通方言的人，既然不明白你的話，怎能在你感謝的時候說阿們呢。

林前14:17你感謝的固然是好，無奈不能造就別人。

林前14:18我感謝神，我說方言比你們眾人還多。

林前14:19但在教會中，寧可用悟性說五句教導人的話，強如說萬句方言。

林前14:20弟兄們，在心志上不要作小孩子，然而在惡事上要作嬰孩，在心志上總要作大人。

林前14:21律法上記著說：『主說：我要用外邦人的舌頭，和外邦人的嘴唇，向這百姓說話，雖然如此，他們還是不聽從我。』

林前14:22這樣看來，說方言，不是為信的人作證據，乃是為不信的人，作先知講道，不是為不信的人作證據，乃是為信的人。

林前14:23所以全教會聚在一處的時候，若都說方言，偶然有不通方言的，或是不信的人進來，豈不說你們癲狂了麼。

林前14:24若都作先知講道，偶然有不信的，或是不通方言的人進來，就被眾人勸醒，被眾人審明。

林前14:25他心裡的隱情顯露出來，就必將臉伏地，敬拜神，說神真是在你們中間了。

林前14:26弟兄們，這卻怎麼樣呢，你們聚會的時候，各人或有詩歌，或有教訓，或有啟示，或有方言，或有繙出來的話，凡事都當造就人。

林前14:27若有說方言的，只好兩個人，至多三個人，且要輪流著說：也要一個人繙出來。

林前14:28若沒有人繙，就當在會中閉口，只對自己和神說：就是了。

林前14:29至於作先知講道的，只好兩個人，或是三個人，其餘的就當慎思明辨。

林前14:30若旁邊坐著的得了啟示，那先說話的就當閉口不言。

林前14:31因為你們都可以一個一個的作先知講道，叫眾人學道理，叫眾人得勸勉。

林前14:32先知的靈，原是順服先知的。

林前14:33因為神不是叫人混亂，乃是叫人安靜。

林前14:34婦女在會中要閉口不言，像在聖徒的眾教會一樣，因為不准他們說話，他們總要順服，正如律法所說的。

林前14:35他們若要學甚麼，可以在家裡問自己的丈夫，因為婦女在會中說話原是可恥的。

林前14:36神的道理，豈是從你們出來麼，豈是單臨到你們麼。

林前14:37若有人以為自己是先知，或是屬靈的，就該知道，我所寫給你們的是主的命令。

林前14:38若有不知道的，就由他不知道罷。

林前14:39所以弟兄們，你們要切慕作先知講道，也不要禁止說方言。

林前14:40凡事都要規規矩矩的按著次序行。

 

林前15:1弟兄們，我如今把先前所傳給你們的福音，告訴你們知道，這福音你們也領受了，又靠著站立得住。

林前15:2並且你們若不是徒然相信，能以持守我所傳給你們的，就必因這福音得救。

林前15:3我當日所領受又傳給你們的，第一，就是基督照聖經所說：為我們的罪死了。

林前15:4而且埋葬了，又照聖經所說：第三天復活了。

林前15:5並且顯給磯法看，然後顯給十二使徒看。

林前15:6後來一時顯給五百多弟兄看，其中一大半到如今還在，卻也有已經睡了的。

林前15:7以後顯給雅各看，再顯給眾使徒看。

林前15:8末了也顯給我看，我如同未到產期而生的人一般。

林前15:9我原是使徒中最小的，不配稱為使徒，因為我從前逼迫神的教會。

林前15:10然而我今日成了何等人，是蒙神的恩才成的，並且他所賜我的恩，不是徒然的，我比眾使徒格外勞苦，這原不是我，乃是神的恩與我同在。

林前15:11不拘是我是眾使徒，我們如此傳，你們也如此信了。

林前15:12既傳基督是從死裡復活了，怎麼在你們中間，有人說沒有死人復活的事呢。

林前15:13若沒有死人復活的事，基督也就沒有復活了。

林前15:14若基督沒有復活，我們所傳的便是枉然，你們所信的也是枉然。

林前15:15並且明顯我們是為神妄作見證的，因我們見證神是叫基督復活了，若死人真不復活，神也就沒有叫基督復活了。

林前15:16因為死人若不復活，基督也就沒有復活了。

林前15:17基督若沒有復活，你們的信便是徒然，你們乃在罪裡。

林前15:18就是在基督裡睡了的人也滅亡了。

林前15:19我們若靠基督，只在今生有指望，就算比眾人更可憐。

林前15:20但基督已經從死裡復活，成為睡了之人初熟的果子。

林前15:21死既是因一人而來，死人復活也是因一人而來。

林前15:22在亞當裡眾人都死了，照樣，在基督裡眾人也都要復活。

林前15:23但各人是按著自己的次序復活。初熟的果子是基督，以後在他來的時候，是那些屬基督的。

林前15:24再後末期到了，那時，基督既將一切執政的，掌權的，有能的，都毀滅了，就把國交與父神。

林前15:25因為基督必要作王，等神把一切仇敵，都放在他的腳下。

林前15:26儘末了所毀滅的仇敵，就是死。

林前15:27因為經上說：『神叫萬物都服在他的腳下。』既說萬物都服了他，明顯那叫萬物服他的不在其內了。

林前15:28萬物既服了他，那時，子也要自己服那叫萬物服他的，叫神在萬物之上，為萬物之主。

林前15:29不然，那些為死人受洗的，將來怎樣呢，若死人總不復活，因何為他們受洗呢。

林前15:30我們又因何時刻冒險呢。

林前15:31弟兄們，我在我主基督耶穌裡，指著你們所誇的口，極力的說：我是天天冒死。

林前15:32我若當日像尋常人，在以弗所同野獸戰鬥，那於我有甚麼益處呢，若死人不復活，我們就吃吃喝喝罷，因為明天要死了。

林前15:33你們不要自欺，濫交是敗壞善行。

林前15:34你們要醒悟為善，不要犯罪，因為有人不認識神，我說這話，是要叫你們羞愧。

林前15:35或有人問，死人怎樣復活，帶著甚麼身體來呢。

林前15:36無知的人哪，你所種的，若不死就不能生。

林前15:37並且你所種的，不是那將來的形體，不過是子粒，即如麥子，或是別樣的穀。

林前15:38但神隨自己的意思，給他一個形體，並叫各等子粒，各有自己的形體。

林前15:39凡肉體各有不同，人是一樣，獸又是一樣，鳥又是一樣，魚又是一樣。

林前15:40有天上的形體，也有地上的形體，但天上形體的榮光是一樣，地上形體的榮光又是一樣。

林前15:41日有日的榮光，月有月的榮光，星有星的榮光，這星和那星的榮光，也有分別。

林前15:42死人復活也是這樣，所種的是必朽壞的，復活的是不朽壞的。

林前15:43所種的是羞辱的，復活的是榮耀的，所種的是軟弱的，復活的是強壯的。

林前15:44所種的是血氣的身體，復活是靈性的身體，若有血氣的身體，也必有靈性的身體。

林前15:45經上也是這樣記著說：『首先的人亞當，成了有靈的活人。』〔靈或作血氣〕末後的亞當，成了叫人活的靈。

林前15:46但屬靈的不在先，屬血氣的在先，以後才有屬靈的。

林前15:47頭一個人是出於地，乃屬土，第二個人是出於天。

林前15:48那屬土的怎樣，凡屬土的也就怎樣，屬天的怎樣，凡屬天的也就怎樣。

林前15:49我們既有屬土的形狀，將來也必有屬天的形狀。

林前15:50弟兄們，我告訴你們說：血肉之體，不能承受神的國，必朽壞的，不能承受不朽壞的。

林前15:51我如今把一件奧秘的事告訴你們，我們不是都要睡覺，乃是都要改變，

林前15:52就在一霎時，眨眼之間，號筒末次吹響的時候，因號筒要響，死人要復活成為不朽壞的，我們也要改變。

林前15:53這必朽壞的，總要變成不朽壞的，〔變成原文作穿下同〕這必死的，總要變成不死的。

林前15:54這必朽壞既變成不朽壞的，這必死的，既變成不死的，那時經上所記，死被得勝吞滅的話就應驗了。

林前15:55死阿，你得勝的權勢在那裡，死阿，你的毒鉤在那裡。

林前15:56死的毒鉤就是罪，罪的權勢就是律法。

林前15:57感謝神，使我們藉著我們的主耶穌基督得勝。

林前15:58所以我親愛的弟兄們，你們務要堅固不可搖動，常常竭力多作主工，因為知道你們的勞苦，在主裡面不是徒然的。

 

林前16:1論到為聖徒捐錢，我從前怎樣吩咐加拉太的眾教會，你們也當怎樣行。

林前16:2每逢七日的第一日，各人要照自己的進項抽出來留著，免得我來的時候現湊。

林前16:3及至我來到了，你們寫信舉薦誰，我就打發他們，把你們的捐資送到耶路撒冷去。

林前16:4若我也該去，他們可以和我同去。

林前16:5我要從馬其頓經過，既經過了，就要到你們那裡去。

林前16:6或者和你們同住幾時，或者也過冬，無論我往那裡去，你們就可以給我送行。

林前16:7我如今不願意路過見你們，主若許我，我就指望和你們同住幾時。

林前16:8但我要仍舊住在以弗所，直等到五旬節。

林前16:9因為有寬大又有功效的門，為我開了，並且反對的人也多。力作主的工，像我一樣。

林前16:10若是提摩太來到，你們要留心，叫他在你們那裡無所懼怕，因為他勞因我指望他和弟兄們同來。

林前16:11所以無論誰，都不可藐視他，只要送他平安前行，叫他到我這裡來，決不願意去，幾時有了機會他必去。

林前16:12至於兄弟亞波羅，我再三的勸他，同弟兄們到你們那裡去，但這時他

林前16:13你們務要儆醒，在真道上站立得穩，要作大丈夫，要剛強。

林前16:14凡你們所作的，都要憑愛心而作。

林前16:15弟兄們，你們曉得司提反一家，是亞該亞初結的果子，並且他們專以服事聖徒為念。

林前16:16我勸你們順服這樣的人，並一切同工同勞的人。待我有不及之處，他們補上了。

林前16:17司提反，和福徒拿都，並亞該古，到我這裡來，我很喜歡，因為你們

林前16:18他們叫我和你們心裡都快活，這樣的人，你們務要敬重。因主多多的問你們安。

林前16:19亞西亞的眾教會問你們安。亞居拉和百基拉，並在他們家裡的教會，

林前16:20眾弟兄都問你們安。你們要親嘴問安，彼此務要聖潔。

林前16:21我保羅親筆問安。

林前16:22若有人不愛主，這人可詛可咒。主必要來。

林前16:23願主耶穌基督的恩，常與你們眾人同在。

   

 

12 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

 

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

 

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

 

Unity and Diversity in the Body

12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by[c] one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

 

15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

 

21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

 

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues[d]? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

 

Love Is Indispensable

 

13 If I speak in the tongues[a] of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast,[b] but do not have love, I gain nothing.

 

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

 

8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. 12 For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

 

 

14 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

 

6 Now, brothers and sisters, if I come to you and speak in tongues, what good will I be to you, unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or word of instruction? 7 Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the pipe or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? 8 Again, if the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? 9 So it is with you. Unless you speak intelligible words with your tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You will just be speaking into the air. 10 Undoubtedly there are all sorts of languages in the world, yet none of them is without meaning. 11 If then I do not grasp the meaning of what someone is saying, I am a foreigner to the speaker, and the speaker is a foreigner to me. 12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

 

13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,[d] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

 

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

 

20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. 21 In the Law it is written:

 

“With other tongues

    and through the lips of foreigners

I will speak to this people,

    but even then they will not listen to me,

says the Lord.”[e]

22 Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. 23 So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? 24 But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, 25 as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

 

Good Order in Worship

26 What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up. 27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 28 If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and to God.

 

29 Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. 30 And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. 31 For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. 32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. 33 For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

 

34 Women[f] should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says. 35 If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.[g]

 

36 Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached? 37 If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. 38 But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.[h]

 

 

15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.

 

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas,[b] and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

 

9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. 11 Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed.

 

The Resurrection of the Dead

12 But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. 15 More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. 19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

 

20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 23 But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. 24 Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death. 27 For he “has put everything under his feet.”[c] Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 28 When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all.

 

29 Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? 30 And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 31 I face death every day—yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. 32 If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised,

 

“Let us eat and drink,

    for tomorrow we die.”[d]

33 Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”[e] 34 Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.

 

The Resurrection Body

35 But someone will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” 36 How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 37 When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. 38 But God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed he gives its own body. 39 Not all flesh is the same: People have one kind of flesh, animals have another, birds another and fish another. 40 There are also heavenly bodies and there are earthly bodies; but the splendor of the heavenly bodies is one kind, and the splendor of the earthly bodies is another. 41 The sun has one kind of splendor, the moon another and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor.

 

42 So will it be with the resurrection of the dead. The body that is sown is perishable, it is raised imperishable; 43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; 44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.

 

If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. 45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”[f]; the last Adam, a life-giving spirit. 46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual. 47 The first man was of the dust of the earth; the second man is of heaven. 48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the heavenly man, so also are those who are of heaven. 49 And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we[g] bear the image of the heavenly man.

 

50 I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed— 52 in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. 53 For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”[h]

 

55 “Where, O death, is your victory?

    Where, O death, is your sting?”[i]

56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

16 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.

 

Personal Requests

5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.

 

10 When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.

 

12 Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.

 

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

 

15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

 

Final Greetings

19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla[a] greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. 20 All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

 

21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.

 

22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord[b]!

 

23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.