LETTERS FROM PAUL
11-15-06
I had a dream in which it was September 25,1950. I was age 11 on that date.
Dream: I received a fat, thick letter in the mail
which contained all the letters
including the envelopes of letters passed privately from person to person of
things
they wanted others to know that were going on.
I opened the letters and between the lines started to
appear Bible verses that were
pertinent - perhaps like prophecy. The first one was 1st Corinthians.
Dee Finney
1:1Paul, called to be an apostle of
Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
1:2Unto
the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ
Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the
name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1:3Grace be unto
you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
1:4I thank my God always on your behalf,
for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
1:5That in every thing
ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
1:6Even
as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
1:7So that ye come
behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1:8Who
shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day
of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1:9God is faithful, by whom ye were
called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1:10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that
there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together
in the same mind and in the same judgment.
1:11For it hath been
declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of
Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
1:12Now this I say,
that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas;
and I of Christ.
1:13Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified
for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?
1:14I thank God that I
baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
1:15Lest any should say
that I had baptized in mine own name.
1:16And I baptized also the household of
Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
1:17For Christ sent me
not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the
cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
1:18For the preaching of the cross is to
them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of
God.
1:19For it is written, I will destroy the
wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
1:20Where is the wise? where
is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God
made foolish the wisdom of this world?
1:21For after that in the wisdom of God the
world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to
save them that believe. 1:22For the Jews require a sign, and the
Greeks seek after wisdom:
1:23But we preach Christ crucified, unto
the Jews a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
1:24But unto them which
are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of
God.
1:25Because the foolishness of God is wiser
than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
1:26For ye see your
calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty,
not many noble, are called:
1:27But God hath chosen the foolish things
of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the
world to confound the things which are mighty;
1:28And base things of
the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and
things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
1:29That no flesh
should glory in his presence.
1:30But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who
of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and
redemption:
1:31That, according as it is written, He
that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
2:1And I, brethren, when I came to you,
came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the
testimony of God.
2:2For I determined not to know any thing
among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
2:3And I was with you
in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.
2:4And my speech and my
preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in
demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
2:5That your faith should not stand in the
wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
2:6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that
are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world,
that come to nought: 2:7But we speak the wisdom of God in a
mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the
world unto our glory:
2:8Which none of the princes of this world
knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of
glory.
2:9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen,
nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God
hath prepared for them that love him.
2:10But God hath revealed them unto
us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of
God.
2:11For what man knoweth the things of a
man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth
no man, but the Spirit of God.
2:12Now we have received, not the spirit of
the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that
are freely given to us of God. 2:13Which things also we speak, not in the
words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing
spiritual things with spiritual.
2:14But the natural man receiveth not the
things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he
know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
2:15But he that is
spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
2:16For who hath known the mind of the
Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
3:1And I, brethren, could not speak unto
you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
3:2I
have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to
bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
3:3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas
there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal,
and walk as men?
3:4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and
another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
3:5Who then is Paul,
and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord
gave to every man?
3:6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God
gave the increase.
3:7So then neither is he that planteth any
thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
3:8Now
he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his
own reward according to his own labour.
3:9For we are labourers together with God:
ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
3:10According to the
grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the
foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he
buildeth thereupon.
3:11For other foundation can no man lay
than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
3:12Now if any man
build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
3:13Every man's work shall be made
manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire;
and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
3:14If any man's work
abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
3:15If
any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be
saved; yet so as by fire.
3:16Know ye not that ye are the temple of
God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
3:17If any man defile
the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which
temple ye are.
3:18Let no man deceive himself. If any man
among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may
be wise.
3:19For the wisdom of this world is
foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own
craftiness.
3:20And again, The Lord knoweth the
thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
3:21Therefore let no
man glory in men. For all things are yours;
3:22Whether Paul, or
Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or
things to come; all are yours;
3:23And ye are Christ's; and Christ
is God's.
4:1Let a man so account of us, as of the
ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
4:2Moreover it is
required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
4:3But with me it is a
very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I
judge not mine own self.
4:4For I know nothing by myself; yet am I
not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord.
4:5Therefore judge
nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the
hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts:
and then shall every man have praise of God.
4:6And these things,
brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for
your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that
which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another.
4:7For
who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou
didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as
if thou hadst not received it?
4:8Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye
have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also
might reign with you.
4:9For I think that God hath set forth us
the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle
unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
4:10We are fools
for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak, but ye
are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised.
4:11Even unto this present hour we both
hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain
dwellingplace;
4:12And labour, working with our own hands:
being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it:
4:13Being defamed, we
intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring
of all things unto this day.
4:14I write not these things to shame you,
but as my beloved sons I warn you.
4:15For though ye have
ten thousand instructers in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in
Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
4:16Wherefore I beseech
you, be ye followers of me.
4:17For this cause have I sent unto you
Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you
into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every
church.
4:18Now some are puffed up, as though I
would not come to you.
4:19But I will come to you shortly, if the
Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the
power.
4:20For the kingdom of God is not in
word, but in power.
4:21What will ye? shall I come unto you
with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
5:1It is reported commonly that there
is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named
among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
5:2And ye are puffed
up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken
away from among you.
5:3For I verily, as absent in body, but
present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present,
concerning him that hath so done this deed,
5:4In the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
5:5To deliver such an one unto Satan for
the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the
Lord Jesus.
5:6Your glorying is not good. Know
ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
5:7Purge out therefore
the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ
our passover is sacrificed for us: 5:8Therefore let us keep the feast, not
with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the
unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
5:9I wrote unto you in
an epistle not to company with fornicators:
5:10Yet not altogether
with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or
with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
5:11But now I have
written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a
fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an
extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
5:12For what have I to
do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
5:13But them that are without God judgeth.
Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
6:1Dare any of you, having a matter against
another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
6:2Do
ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be
judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
6:3Know ye not that we
shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
6:4If
then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who
are least esteemed in the church.
6:5I speak to your shame. Is it so, that
there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge
between his brethren?
6:6But brother goeth to law with brother,
and that before the unbelievers.
6:7Now therefore there is utterly a fault
among you, because ye go to law one with another. Why do ye not rather take
wrong? why do ye not rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded?
6:8Nay,
ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
6:9Know ye not that the
unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither
fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of
themselves with mankind,
6:10Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor
drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
6:11And such were some of you: but ye are
washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord
Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
6:12All things are lawful unto me, but all
things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be
brought under the power of any. 6:13Meats for the belly, and the belly for
meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for
fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.
6:14And God hath both
raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.
6:15Know ye not that your bodies are the
members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them
the members of an harlot? God forbid.
6:16What? know ye not that he which is
joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
6:17But he that is joined unto the Lord is
one spirit.
6:18Flee fornication. Every sin that a man
doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against
his own body.
6:19What? know ye not that your body is the
temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye
are not your own?
6:20For ye are bought with a price:
therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
7:1Now concerning the things whereof ye
wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman.
7:2Nevertheless, to avoid
fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own
husband.
7:3Let the husband render unto the wife due
benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband.
7:4The wife hath not
power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not
power of his own body, but the wife.
7:5Defraud ye not one the other, except
it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and
prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.
7:6But I speak this by permission,
and not of commandment.
7:7For I would that all men were even as I
myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and
another after that.
7:8I say therefore to the unmarried and
widows, It is good for them if they abide even as I.
7:9But if they cannot
contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
7:10And unto the married I command,
yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
7:11But and if she depart, let her remain
unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put
away his wife.
7:12But to the rest speak I, not the Lord:
If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with
him, let him not put her away. 7:13And the woman which hath an husband
that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave
him.
7:14For the unbelieving husband is
sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband:
else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
7:15But if the
unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage
in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
7:16For what knowest
thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O
man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
7:17But as God hath
distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called every one, so let him walk.
And so ordain I in all churches.
7:18Is any man called being circumcised?
let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not
be circumcised. 7:19Circumcision is nothing, and
uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.
7:20Let every man abide in the same calling
wherein he was called.
7:21Art thou called being a servant?
care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.
7:22For he that is called in the Lord,
being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called,
being free, is Christ's servant.
7:23Ye are bought with a price; be not ye
the servants of men.
7:24Brethren, let every man, wherein he is
called, therein abide with God.
7:25Now concerning virgins I have no
commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy
of the Lord to be faithful. 7:26I suppose therefore that this is good
for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to
be.
7:27Art thou bound unto a wife? seek not to
be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
7:28But and if thou
marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned.
Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
7:29But this I say, brethren, the time
is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they
had none;
7:30And they that weep, as though they wept
not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as
though they possessed not; 7:31And they that use this world, as not
abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away.
7:32But I would have you without
carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord,
how he may please the Lord:
7:33But he that is married careth for the
things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
7:34There is difference also between
a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that
she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for
the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
7:35And this I speak for your own profit;
not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely, and that ye
may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
7:36But if any man
think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his virgin, if she pass the
flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he
sinneth not: let them marry.
7:37Nevertheless he that standeth steadfast
in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so
decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
7:38So
then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth
her not in marriage doeth better.
7:39The wife is bound by the law as long as
her husband liveth; but if her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married
to whom she will; only in the Lord.
7:40But she is happier if she so abide,
after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
8:1Now as touching things offered unto
idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity
edifieth.
8:2And if any man think that he knoweth any
thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
8:3But if any man love
God, the same is known of him.
8:4As concerning therefore the eating of
those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol
is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
8:5For though there be that are called
gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
8:6But
to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things,
and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we
by him. 8:7Howbeit there is not in every man
that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat
it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is
defiled.
8:8But meat commendeth us not to God: for
neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse.
8:9But take heed lest by any means this
liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.
8:10For if any man see thee which hast
knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him
which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
8:11And through thy knowledge shall the
weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
8:12But when ye sin so
against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
8:13Wherefore, if meat make my brother to
offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to
offend.
9:1Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have
I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord?
9:2If I
be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine
apostleship are ye in the Lord.
9:3Mine answer to them that do examine me
is this,
9:4Have we not power to eat and to drink?
9:5Have we not power to lead about a
sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the
Lord, and Cephas?
9:6Or I only and Barnabas, have not we
power to forbear working?
9:7Who goeth a warfare any time at his own
charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who
feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
9:8Say I these things
as a man? or saith not the law the same also?
9:9For it is written in
the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out
the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
9:10Or saith he it altogether for
our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth
should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of
his hope.
9:11If we have sown unto you spiritual
things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?
9:12If
others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather?
Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should
hinder the gospel of Christ.
9:13Do ye not know that they which minister
about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait
at the altar are partakers with the altar?
9:14Even so hath the
Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.
9:15But I have used none of these things:
neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for
it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying
void.
9:16For though I preach the gospel, I have
nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I
preach not the gospel!
9:17For if I do this thing willingly, I
have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is
committed unto me.
9:18What is my reward then? Verily
that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge,
that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
9:19For though I be free from all
men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
9:20And unto the Jews I became as a Jew,
that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law,
that I might gain them that are under the law;
9:21To them that are
without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to
Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
9:22To the weak became
I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men,
that I might by all means save some.
9:23And this I do for the gospel's sake,
that I might be partaker thereof with you.
9:24Know ye not that
they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye
may obtain.
9:25And every man that striveth for the
mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
9:26I therefore so run,
not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
9:27But I keep under my body, and bring
it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to
others, I myself should be a castaway.
10:1Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye
should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all
passed through the sea;
10:2And were all baptized unto Moses in the
cloud and in the sea;
10:3And did all eat the same spiritual
meat;
10:4And did all drink the same spiritual
drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock
was Christ.
10:5But with many of them God was not well
pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
10:6Now these things
were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they
also lusted.
10:7Neither be ye idolaters, as were
some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose
up to play.
10:8Neither let us commit fornication, as
some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
10:9Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of
them also tempted, and were destroyed of serpents.
10:10Neither murmur ye,
as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
10:11Now all these things happened unto
them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends
of the world are come. 10:12Wherefore let him that thinketh he
standeth take heed lest he fall.
10:13There hath no temptation taken you but
such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to
be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way
to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
10:14Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee
from idolatry.
10:15I speak as to wise men; judge ye what
I say.
10:16The cup of blessing which we bless, is
it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not
the communion of the body of Christ?
10:17For we being many are one
bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
10:18Behold Israel after the flesh: are not
they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
10:19What say I then?
that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is
any thing?
10:20But I say, that the things
which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I
would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
10:21Ye cannot drink
the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's
table, and of the table of devils.
10:22Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy?
are we stronger than he?
10:23All things are lawful for me, but all
things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify
not.
10:24Let no man seek his own, but every man
another's wealth.
10:25Whatsoever is sold in the shambles,
that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
10:26For the earth
is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
10:27If any of them
that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever
is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
10:28But if any man say unto you, This is
offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for
conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof:
10:29Conscience, I say, not thine own, but
of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man's conscience?
10:30For if I by grace be a partaker, why
am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
10:31Whether therefore
ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
10:32Give none offence, neither to the
Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
10:33Even as I please
all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the
profit of many, that they may be saved.
11:1Be ye followers of me, even as I also
am of Christ.
11:2Now I praise you, brethren, that ye
remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them
to you.
11:3But 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.
11:4Every man praying or prophesying,
having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
11:5But every woman
that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her
head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
11:6For if the woman be
not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn
or shaven, let her be covered.
11:7For a man indeed ought not to cover
his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is
the glory of the man.
11:8For the man is not of the woman; but
the woman of the man.
11:9Neither was the man created for the
woman; but the woman for the man.
11:10For this cause ought the woman to have
power on her head because of the angels.
11:11Nevertheless
neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the
Lord.
11:12For as the woman is of the man,
even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of god.
11:13Judge in yourselves: is it comely that
a woman pray unto God uncovered?
11:14Doth not even nature itself teach you,
that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
11:15But if a woman
have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a
covering.
11:16But if any man seem to be contentious,
we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.
11:17Now in this that I declare unto
you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but
for the worse.
11:18For first of all, when ye come
together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly
believe it.
11:19For there must be also heresies among
you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.
11:20When ye come together therefore into
one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
11:21For in eating
every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and
another is drunken.
11:22What? have ye not houses to eat and to
drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What
shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
11:23For I have received of the Lord that
which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in
which he was betrayed took bread:
11:24And when he had given thanks, he brake
it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is
broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
11:25After the same
manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as
ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
11:26For as often as ye
eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he
come.
11:27Wherefore whosoever shall eat this
bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body
and blood of the Lord.
11:28But let a man examine himself, and so
let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
11:29For he that eateth and drinketh
unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's
body.
11:30For this cause many are weak
and sickly among you, and many sleep.
11:31For if we would judge ourselves, we
should not be judged.
11:32But when we are judged, we are
chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
11:33Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come
together to eat, tarry one for another.
11:34And if any man hunger, let him eat at
home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in
order when I come.
12:1Now concerning spiritual gifts,
brethren, I would not have you ignorant.
12:2Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried
away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
12:3Wherefore I give
you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus
accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy
Ghost.
12:4Now there are diversities of gifts, but
the same Spirit.
12:5And there are differences of
administrations, but the same Lord.
12:6And there are diversities of
operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
12:7But the
manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
12:8For to one is given by the Spirit the
word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
12:9To
another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same
Spirit;
12:10To another the working of miracles; to
another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers
kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
12:11But all these
worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he
will.
12:12For as the body is one, and hath many
members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also
is Christ.
12:13For by one Spirit are we all baptized
into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond
or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
12:14For the body is
not one member, but many.
12:15If the foot shall say, Because I am
not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
12:16And if the ear shall say, Because I am
not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
12:17If the whole body were an eye,
where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where
were the smelling?
12:18But now hath God set the members every
one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
12:19And if they were
all one member, where were the body?
12:20But now are
they many members, yet but one body.
12:21And the eye cannot
say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I
have no need of you.
12:22Nay, much more those members of the
body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
12:23And those
members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we
bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant
comeliness.
12:24For our comely parts have no
need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour
to that part which lacked:
12:25That there should be no schism in the
body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
12:26And whether one member suffer, all the
members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with
it.
12:27Now ye are the body of Christ, and
members in particular.
12:28And God hath set some in the church,
first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles,
then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
12:29Are all apostles? are
all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
12:30Have all the gifts of healing? do all
speak with tongues? do all interpret?
12:31But covet earnestly the best gifts:
and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
13:1Though I speak with the tongues of men
and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a
tinkling cymbal.
13:2And 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, and have not charity, I am nothing.
13:3And though I bestow all my goods to
feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not
charity, it profiteth me nothing. 13:4Charity suffereth long, and is
kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
13:5Doth not behave itself unseemly,
seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
13:6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but
rejoiceth in the truth;
13:7Beareth all things, believeth all
things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
13:8Charity never
faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether
there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it
shall vanish away.
13:9For we know in part, and we prophesy in
part.
13:10But when that which is perfect is
come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
13:11When I was a
child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but
when I became a man, I put away childish things.
13:12For now we see
through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then
shall I know even as also I am known.
13:13And now abideth faith, hope, charity,
these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
14:1Follow after charity, and desire
spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.
14:2For he that
speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no
man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries.
14:3But he that prophesieth speaketh unto
men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
14:4He that speaketh in
an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the
church.
14:5I would that ye all spake with tongues,
but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he
that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive
edifying.
14:6Now, brethren, if I come unto you
speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you
either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?
14:7And even things without life giving
sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a distinction in the sounds, how
shall it be known what is piped or harped?
14:8For if the trumpet
give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?
14:9So
likewise ye, except ye utter by the tongue words easy to be understood, how
shall it be known what is spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 14:10There are, it may be, so many kinds of
voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.
14:11Therefore if I know not the meaning of
the voice, I shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh
shall be a barbarian unto me.
14:12Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are
zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the
church.
14:13Wherefore let him that speaketh in an
unknown tongue pray that he may interpret.
14:14For if I pray in
an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
14:15What is it then? I will pray with the
spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the
spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.
14:16Else when thou
shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the
unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what
thou sayest?
14:17For thou verily givest thanks well,
but the other is not edified.
14:18I thank my God, I speak with tongues
more than ye all:
14:19Yet in the church I had rather speak
five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others
also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue.
14:20Brethren, be not
children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in
understanding be men.
14:21In the law it is written, With men
of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for
all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.
14:22Wherefore tongues
are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but
prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which
believe.
14:23If therefore the whole church be come
together into one place, and all speak with tongues, and there come in those
that are unlearned, or unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad?
14:24But if all prophesy, and there come in
one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is
judged of all:
14:25And thus are the secrets of his heart
made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and
report that God is in you of a truth.
14:26How is it then, brethren? when ye come
together, every one of you hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a
revelation, hath an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying.
14:27If any man speak in an unknown
tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by three, and that
by course; and let one interpret.
14:28But if there be no interpreter, let
him keep silence in the church; and let him speak to himself, and to God.
14:29Let the prophets speak two or three,
and let the other judge.
14:30If any thing be revealed to
another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.
14:31For ye may all
prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted.
14:32And the spirits of the prophets are
subject to the prophets.
14:33For God is not the author of
confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.
14:34Let your women
keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but
they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law.
14:35And if they will learn any thing, let
them ask their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the
church.
14:36What? came the word of God out from
you? or came it unto you only?
14:37If any man think himself to be a
prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you
are the commandments of the Lord.
14:38But if any man be ignorant, let him be
ignorant.
14:39Wherefore, brethren, covet to
prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.
14:40Let all things be
done decently and in order.
15:1Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you
the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein
ye stand;
15:2By which also ye are saved, if ye keep
in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
15:3For I delivered unto you first of all
that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the
scriptures;
15:4And that he was buried, and that he
rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
15:5And that he was
seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
15:6After that, he was seen of above five
hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but
some are fallen asleep. 15:7After that, he was seen of James; then
of all the apostles.
15:8And last of all he was seen of me also,
as of one born out of due time.
15:9For I am the least of the apostles,
that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of
God.
15:10But by the grace of God I am what I
am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I
laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which
was with me.
15:11Therefore whether it were I or
they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
15:12Now if Christ be preached that he rose
from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
15:13But if there be no resurrection of the
dead, then is Christ not risen:
15:14And if Christ be not risen, then
is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
15:15Yea, and we are found false witnesses
of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he
raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not.
15:16For if the dead
rise not, then is not Christ raised:
15:17And if Christ be not raised, your
faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
15:18Then they also
which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.
15:19If in this life
only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
15:20But now is Christ risen from the dead,
and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
15:21For since by man
came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
15:22For as in Adam all die, even so in
Christ shall all be made alive.
15:23But every man in his own order: Christ
the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
15:24Then cometh the end, when he
shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have
put down all rule and all authority and power.
15:25For he must reign,
till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
15:26The last enemy
that shall be destroyed is death.
15:27For he hath put
all things under his feet. But when he saith, all things are put under him,
it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
15:28And when all things shall be subdued
unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all
things under him, that God may be all in all.
15:29Else what shall
they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are
they then baptized for the dead?
15:30And why stand we in jeopardy every
hour?
15:31I protest by your rejoicing which I
have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
15:32If after the
manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if
the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
15:33Be not deceived: evil communications
corrupt good manners.
15:34Awake to righteousness, and sin not;
for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
15:35But some man will say, How are
the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
15:36Thou fool,
that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
15:37And that which
thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may
chance of wheat, or of some other grain:
15:38But God giveth it
a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body.
15:39All flesh is not the same
flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of
beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.
15:40There are
also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial
is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.
15:41There is one glory of the sun,
and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one
star differeth from another star in glory.
15:42So also is
the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in
incorruption:
15:43It is sown in dishonour; it is raised
in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
15:44It is sown a
natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there
is a spiritual body.
15:45And so it is written, The first man
Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.
15:46Howbeit that was not first
which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is
spiritual.
15:47The first man is of the earth,
earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.
15:48As is the
earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the
heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.
15:49And as we have
borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
15:50Now this I say, brethren, that flesh
and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit
incorruption.
15:51Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall
not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
15:52In a moment, in
the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the
dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
15:53For this corruptible must put on
incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
15:54So when this corruptible shall have
put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall
be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
15:55O death, where is thy sting? O
grave, where is thy victory?
15:56The sting of death is sin; and
the strength of sin is the law.
15:57But thanks be to God, which
giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
15:58Therefore, my
beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
16:1Now concerning the collection for the
saints, as I have given order to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye.
16:2Upon the first day of the week
let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that
there be no gatherings when I come.
16:3And when I come, whomsoever ye shall
approve by your letters, them will I send to bring your liberality unto
Jerusalem.
16:4And if it be meet that I go also, they
shall go with me.
16:5Now I will come unto you, when I shall
pass through Macedonia: for I do pass through Macedonia.
16:6And it may be that
I will abide, yea, and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey
whithersoever I go.
16:7For I will not see you now by the way;
but I trust to tarry a while with you, if the Lord permit.
16:8But I will tarry at
Ephesus until Pentecost.
16:9For a great door and effectual is
opened unto me, and there are many adversaries.
16:10Now if Timotheus
come, see that he may be with you without fear: for he worketh the work of the
Lord, as I also do.
16:11Let no man therefore despise him: but
conduct him forth in peace, that he may come unto me: for I look for him with
the brethren.
16:12As touching our brother
Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the brethren: but his will
was not at all to come at this time; but he will come when he shall have
convenient time.
16:13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith,
quit you like men, be strong.
16:14Let all your things be done with
charity.
16:15I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the
house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they
have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)
16:16That ye submit
yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and
laboureth.
16:17I am glad of the coming of Stephanas
and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on your part they have
supplied.
16:18For they have refreshed my spirit and
yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
16:19The churches of Asia salute you.
Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in
their house.
16:20All the brethren greet you. Greet ye
one another with an holy kiss.
16:21The salutation of me Paul with
mine own hand.
16:22If any man love not the Lord Jesus
Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha.
16:23The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ
be with you.
16:24My love be with you all in
Christ Jesus. Amen.
COMMENTARIES:
CLARKE'S COMMENTARY - 1 CORINTHIANS
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor1.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor2.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor3.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor4.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor5.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor6.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor7.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor8.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor9.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor10.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor11.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor12.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor13.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor14.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor15.htm
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1cor16.htm
MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTARY
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46001.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46002.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46003.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46004.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46005.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46006.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46007.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46008.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46009.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46010.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46011.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46012.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46013.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46014.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46015.HTM
http://www.ccel.org/h/henry/mhc2/MHC46016.HTM
MORE LETTERS:
13 "PAULINE" EPISTLES
Epistle" simply means a literary letter which was intended to be published and read by the general public. This was an established literary style as early as the 4th century BCE. The "Pauline" letters in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament) did not start out as epistles. They were apparently letters to churches and individuals written to handle specific problems at a church location or with a religious leader. The former were initially intended to be read aloud during a single service of public worship, at a single church.Some scholars believe that certain of the Epistles are not single letters, but rather made up of two or more texts which were merged together:
Collosians may have been written by Paul.
Thessalonians and Ephesians probably was not.
1
and 2 Timothy and Titus were definitely pseudonymous
(written by a unknown person, passing he writings off as
Paul's.)
They were written 35 to 85 years after Paul's death.
Although such a writer would be considered a forger today, the
practice was quite common in the 1st century CE, and was
considered acceptable behavior.
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DREAMS OF THE GREAT EARTHCHANGES - MAIN INDEX