2       Acts 18:1
12     Acts 18:24
14     Acts 18:8, 19:29; Romans 16:23
16     1 Corinthians 16:15
19     Isaiah 29:14
20    Job 12:17; Isaiah 19:12, 33:18, 44:25
31     Jeremiah 9:24

17-29    Ivan Steiger, Ivan Steiger Sees the Bible, p. 269-270
18-25    Mohandas Gandhi, Essential Gandhi, p. 309

18-25   Gary Gunderson, Deeply Woven Roots, p. 110

22-25    Sheila Cassidy, Sharing the Darkness, p. 93

22-25   Michael Lerner, Jewish Renewal, p. 410 f.

22-25    W. B. Yeats, Selected Poems and Plays, p. 113

22-23     Kathleen Norris, Amazing Grace, p. 161

26-31     Walter Brueggemann, Journey to the Common Good, p. 65-67
26-31     Geoffrey Hill, “A Song of Degrees,” Canaan, p. 67

1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,

2 To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I give thanks to God always for you because of the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him with all speech and all knowledge—6 even as the testimony to Christ was confirmed among you—7 so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ; 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.  9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

10 I appeal to you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree and that there be no dissensions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.  11 For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brethren.  12 What I mean is that each one of you says, “I belong to Paul,” or “I belong to Apollos,” or “I belong to Cephas,” or “I belong to Christ.”  13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?  14 I am thankful that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius; 15 lest any one should say that you were baptized in my name.  16 (I did baptize also the household of Stephanas. Beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any one else.)  17 For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.  19 For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the cleverness of the clever I will thwart.”  20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.  22 For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, 24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26 For consider your call, brethren; not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth; 27 but God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.  30 He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption; 31 therefore, as it is written, “Let him who boasts, boast of the Lord.”

1:1 παυλος κλητος αποστολος ιησου χριστου δια θεληματος θεου και σωσθενης ο αδελφος

1:2 τη εκκλησια του θεου τη ουση εν κορινθω ηγιασμενοις εν χριστω ιησου κλητοις αγιοις συν πασιν τοις επικαλουμενοις το ονομα του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου εν παντι τοπω αυτων τε και ημων

1:3 χαρις υμιν και ειρηνη απο θεου πατρος ημων και κυριου ιησου χριστου

1:4 ευχαριστω τω θεω μου παντοτε περι υμων επι τη χαριτι του θεου τη δοθειση υμιν εν χριστω ιησου 1:5 οτι εν παντι επλουτισθητε εν αυτω εν παντι λογω και παση γνωσει 1:6 καθως το μαρτυριον του χριστου εβεβαιωθη εν υμιν 1:7 ωστε υμας μη υστερεισθαι εν μηδενι χαρισματι απεκδεχομενους την αποκαλυψιν του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου 1:8 ος και βεβαιωσει υμας εως τελους ανεγκλητους εν τη ημερα του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου 1:9 πιστος ο θεος δι ου εκληθητε εις κοινωνιαν του υιου αυτου ιησου χριστου του κυριου ημων

1:10 παρακαλω δε υμας αδελφοι δια του ονοματος του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου ινα το αυτο λεγητε παντες και μη η εν υμιν σχισματα ητε δε κατηρτισμενοι εν τω αυτω νοι και εν τη αυτη γνωμη 1:11 εδηλωθη γαρ μοι περι υμων αδελφοι μου υπο των χλοης οτι εριδες εν υμιν εισιν 1:12 λεγω δε τουτο οτι εκαστος υμων λεγει εγω μεν ειμι παυλου εγω δε απολλω εγω δε κηφα εγω δε χριστου 1:13 μεμερισται ο χριστος μη παυλος εσταυρωθη υπερ υμων η εις το ονομα παυλου εβαπτισθητε 1:14 ευχαριστω τω θεω οτι ουδενα υμων εβαπτισα ει μη κρισπον και γαιον 1:15 ινα μη τις ειπη οτι εις το εμον ονομα εβαπτισα 1:16 εβαπτισα δε και τον στεφανα οικον λοιπον ουκ οιδα ει τινα αλλον εβαπτισα 1:17 ου γαρ απεστειλεν με χριστος βαπτιζειν αλλ ευαγγελιζεσθαι ουκ εν σοφια λογου ινα μη κενωθη ο σταυρος του χριστου

1:18 ο λογος γαρ ο του σταυρου τοις μεν απολλυμενοις μωρια εστιν τοις δε σωζομενοις ημιν δυναμις θεου εστιν 1:19 γεγραπται γαρ απολω την σοφιαν των σοφων και την συνεσιν των συνετων αθετησω 1:20 που σοφος που γραμματευς που συζητητης του αιωνος τουτου ουχι εμωρανεν ο θεος την σοφιαν του κοσμου τουτου 1:21 επειδη γαρ εν τη σοφια του θεου ουκ εγνω ο κοσμος δια της σοφιας τον θεον ευδοκησεν ο θεος δια της μωριας του κηρυγματος σωσαι τους πιστευοντας 1:22 επειδη και ιουδαιοι σημειον αιτουσιν και ελληνες σοφιαν ζητουσιν 1:23 ημεις δε κηρυσσομεν χριστον εσταυρωμενον ιουδαιοις μεν σκανδαλον ελλησιν δε μωριαν 1:24 αυτοις δε τοις κλητοις ιουδαιοις τε και ελλησιν χριστον θεου δυναμιν και θεου σοφιαν 1:25 οτι το μωρον του θεου σοφωτερον των ανθρωπων εστιν και το ασθενες του θεου ισχυροτερον των ανθρωπων εστιν

1:26 βλεπετε γαρ την κλησιν υμων αδελφοι οτι ου πολλοι σοφοι κατα σαρκα ου πολλοι δυνατοι ου πολλοι ευγενεις 1:27 αλλα τα μωρα του κοσμου εξελεξατο ο θεος ινα τους σοφους καταισχυνη και τα ασθενη του κοσμου εξελεξατο ο θεος ινα καταισχυνη τα ισχυρα 1:28 και τα αγενη του κοσμου και τα εξουθενημενα εξελεξατο ο θεος και τα μη οντα ινα τα οντα καταργηση 1:29 οπως μη καυχησηται πασα σαρξ ενωπιον του θεου 1:30 εξ αυτου δε υμεις εστε εν χριστω ιησου ος εγενηθη ημιν σοφια απο θεου δικαιοσυνη τε και αγιασμος και απολυτρωσις 1:31 ινα καθως γεγραπται ο καυχωμενος εν κυριω καυχασθω

3        Acts 18:9
7        Romans 8:29-30
9        Isaiah 64:4
10      Matthew 11:25, 13:11; Ephesians 3:3-6
14      1 Corinthians 1:18; James 3:15-17
15      Galatians 6:1
16      Isaiah 40:13

2            John Donne, “The Virtue of Praise,” Classics of Western Spirituality, p. 204 f.
4-5        C. Norman Kraus, The Community of the Spirit, p. 174 f.

14-16     Sundar Singh, Wisdom of the Sadhu, p. 68

1 When I came to you, brethren, I did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God in lofty words or wisdom.  2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.  3 And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling; 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.  7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification.  8 None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.  9 But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him,” 10 God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.  11 For what person knows a man’s thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.  13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit.

14 The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.  15 The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.  16 “For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

2:1 καγω ελθων προς υμας αδελφοι ηλθον ου καθ υπεροχην λογου η σοφιας καταγγελλων υμιν το μαρτυριον του θεου 2:2 ου γαρ εκρινα του ειδεναι τι εν υμιν ει μη ιησουν χριστον και τουτον εσταυρωμενον 2:3 και εγω εν ασθενεια και εν φοβω και εν τρομω πολλω εγενομην προς υμας 2:4 και ο λογος μου και το κηρυγμα μου ουκ εν πειθοις ανθρωπινης σοφιας λογοις αλλ εν αποδειξει πνευματος και δυναμεως 2:5 ινα η πιστις υμων μη η εν σοφια ανθρωπων αλλ εν δυναμει θεου

2:6 σοφιαν δε λαλουμεν εν τοις τελειοις σοφιαν δε ου του αιωνος τουτου ουδε των αρχοντων του αιωνος τουτου των καταργουμενων 2:7 αλλα λαλουμεν σοφιαν θεου εν μυστηριω την αποκεκρυμμενην ην προωρισεν ο θεος προ των αιωνων εις δοξαν ημων 2:8 ην ουδεις των αρχοντων του αιωνος τουτου εγνωκεν ει γαρ εγνωσαν ουκ αν τον κυριον της δοξης εσταυρωσαν 2:9 αλλα καθως γεγραπται α οφθαλμος ουκ ειδεν και ους ουκ ηκουσεν και επι καρδιαν ανθρωπου ουκ ανεβη α ητοιμασεν ο θεος τοις αγαπωσιν αυτον 2:10 ημιν δε ο θεος απεκαλυψεν δια του πνευματος αυτου το γαρ πνευμα παντα ερευνα και τα βαθη του θεου 2:11 τις γαρ οιδεν ανθρωπων τα του ανθρωπου ει μη το πνευμα του ανθρωπου το εν αυτω ουτως και τα του θεου ουδεις οιδεν ει μη το πνευμα του θεου 2:12 ημεις δε ου το πνευμα του κοσμου ελαβομεν αλλα το πνευμα το εκ του θεου ινα ειδωμεν τα υπο του θεου χαρισθεντα ημιν 2:13 α και λαλουμεν ουκ εν διδακτοις ανθρωπινης σοφιας λογοις αλλ εν διδακτοις πνευματος αγιου πνευματικοις πνευματικα συγκρινοντες

2:14 ψυχικος δε ανθρωπος ου δεχεται τα του πνευματος του θεου μωρια γαρ αυτω εστιν και ου δυναται γνωναι οτι πνευματικως ανακρινεται 2:15 ο δε πνευματικος ανακρινει μεν παντα αυτος δε υπ ουδενος ανακρινεται 2:16 τις γαρ εγνω νουν κυριου ος συμβιβασει αυτον ημεις δε νουν χριστου εχομεν

2        Hebrews 5:12-13
4        1 Corinthians 1:12
6        Acts 18:4-11, 18:24-28
9        2 Corinthians 6:1
16      1 Corinthians 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:16
19      Job 5:13
20     Psalm 94:11

5-7     Imaging the Word, Vol. 2, p. 134-137 Ivan Steiger, Ivan Steiger Sees the Bible, p. 271
9         Horace Bushnell, Sermons, p. 67

10-15    Makoto Fujimura, Art + Faith, p. 129

17       F. F. Bruce, “The Holy Spirit in Acts,” Interpretation (April 1973), p. 173 f.

21-23   Helmut Thielicke, “How Free Are We?,” How to Believe Again, p. 140-151

1 But I, brethren, could not address you as spiritual men, but as men of the flesh, as babes in Christ.  2 I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not ready for it; and even yet you are not ready, 3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh, and behaving like ordinary men?  4 For when one says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely men?

5 What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each.  6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.  7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 8 He who plants and he who waters are equal, and each shall receive his wages according to his labor.  9 For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.

10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it.  11 For no other foundation can any one lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.  12 Now if any one builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw—13 each man’s work will become manifest; for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done.  14 If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.  15 If any man’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.

16 Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?  17 If any one destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and that temple you are.

18 Let no one deceive himself. If any one among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.  19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” 20 and again, “The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile.”  21 So let no one boast of men. For all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future, all are yours; 23 and you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

3:1 και εγω αδελφοι ουκ ηδυνηθην υμιν λαλησαι ως πνευματικοις αλλ ως σαρκικοις ως νηπιοις εν χριστω 3:2 γαλα υμας εποτισα και ου βρωμα ουπω γαρ εδυνασθε αλλ ουτε ετι νυν δυνασθε 3:3 ετι γαρ σαρκικοι εστε οπου γαρ εν υμιν ζηλος και ερις και διχοστασιαι ουχι σαρκικοι εστε και κατα ανθρωπον περιπατειτε  3:4 οταν γαρ λεγη τις εγω μεν ειμι παυλου ετερος δε εγω απολλω ουχι σαρκικοι εστε

3:5 τις ουν εστιν παυλος τις δε απολλως αλλ η διακονοι δι ων επιστευσατε και εκαστω ως ο κυριος εδωκεν 3:6 εγω εφυτευσα απολλως εποτισεν αλλ ο θεος ηυξανεν 3:7 ωστε ουτε ο φυτευων εστιν τι ουτε ο ποτιζων αλλ ο αυξανων θεος 3:8 ο φυτευων δε και ο ποτιζων εν εισιν εκαστος δε τον ιδιον μισθον ληψεται κατα τον ιδιον κοπον 3:9 θεου γαρ εσμεν συνεργοι θεου γεωργιον θεου οικοδομη εστε

3:10 κατα την χαριν του θεου την δοθεισαν μοι ως σοφος αρχιτεκτων θεμελιον τεθεικα αλλος δε εποικοδομει εκαστος δε βλεπετω πως εποικοδομει 3:11 θεμελιον γαρ αλλον ουδεις δυναται θειναι παρα τον κειμενον ος εστιν ιησους χριστος 3:12 ει δε τις εποικοδομει επι τον θεμελιον τουτον χρυσον αργυρον λιθους τιμιους ξυλα χορτον καλαμην 3:13 εκαστου το εργον φανερον γενησεται η γαρ ημερα δηλωσει οτι εν πυρι αποκαλυπτεται και εκαστου το εργον οποιον εστιν το πυρ δοκιμασει 3:14 ει τινος το εργον μενει ο εποικοδομησεν μισθον ληψεται 3:15 ει τινος το εργον κατακαησεται ζημιωθησεται αυτος δε σωθησεται ουτως δε ως δια πυρος

3:16 ουκ οιδατε οτι ναος θεου εστε και το πνευμα του θεου οικει εν υμιν 3:17 ει τις τον ναον του θεου φθειρει φθερει τουτον ο θεος ο γαρ ναος του θεου αγιος εστιν οιτινες εστε υμεις

3:18 μηδεις εαυτον εξαπατατω ει τις δοκει σοφος ειναι εν υμιν εν τω αιωνι τουτω μωρος γενεσθω ινα γενηται σοφος 3:19 η γαρ σοφια του κοσμου τουτου μωρια παρα τω θεω εστιν γεγραπται γαρ ο δρασσομενος τους σοφους εν τη πανουργια αυτων 3:20 και παλιν κυριος γινωσκει τους διαλογισμους των σοφων οτι εισιν ματαιοι 3:21 ωστε μηδεις καυχασθω εν ανθρωποις παντα γαρ υμων εστιν 3:22 ειτε παυλος ειτε απολλως ειτε κηφας ειτε κοσμος ειτε ζωη ειτε θανατος ειτε ενεστωτα ειτε μελλοντα παντα υμων εστιν 3:23 υμεις δε χριστου χριστος δε θεου

12    Proverbs 20:22;  Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:28; Acts 18:3; Romans 12:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:15; 1 Peter 3:9
16    1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17

7     Brian A. Gerrish, “Sovereign Grace,” Interpretation (January 2003), p. 48, 50, 51

15   Eugene Peterson, Working the Angles, p. 112

16    Geza Vermes, The Changing Faces of Jesus, p. 109 f.

1 This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.  3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by any human court. I do not even judge myself.  4 I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby acquitted. It is the Lord who judges me.  5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then every man will receive his commendation from God.

6 I have applied all this to myself and Apol’los for your benefit, brethren, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against another.  7 For who sees anything different in you? What have you that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if it were not a gift?

8 Already you are filled! Already you have become rich! Without us you have become kings! And would that you did reign, so that we might share the rule with you!  9 For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death; because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to men.  10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute.  11 To the present hour we hunger and thirst, we are ill-clad and buffeted and homeless, 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13 when slandered, we try to conciliate; we have become, and are now, as the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things.

14 I do not write this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.  15 For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel.  16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me.  17 Therefore I sent to you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.  18 Some are arrogant, as though I were not coming to you.  19 But I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills, and I will find out not the talk of these arrogant people but their power.  20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.  21 What do you wish? Shall I come to you with a rod, or with love in a spirit of gentleness?

4:1 ουτως ημας λογιζεσθω ανθρωπος ως υπηρετας χριστου και οικονομους μυστηριων θεου 4:2 ο δε λοιπον ζητειται εν τοις οικονομοις ινα πιστος τις ευρεθη 4:3 εμοι δε εις ελαχιστον εστιν ινα υφ υμων ανακριθω η υπο ανθρωπινης ημερας αλλ ουδε εμαυτον ανακρινω 4:4 ουδεν γαρ εμαυτω συνοιδα αλλ ουκ εν τουτω δεδικαιωμαι ο δε ανακρινων με κυριος εστιν 4:5 ωστε μη προ καιρου τι κρινετε εως αν ελθη ο κυριος ος και φωτισει τα κρυπτα του σκοτους και φανερωσει τας βουλας των καρδιων και τοτε ο επαινος γενησεται εκαστω απο του θεου

4:6 ταυτα δε αδελφοι μετεσχηματισα εις εμαυτον και απολλω δι υμας ινα εν ημιν μαθητε το μη υπερ ο γεγραπται φρονειν ινα μη εις υπερ του ενος φυσιουσθε κατα του ετερου 4:7 τις γαρ σε διακρινει τι δε εχεις ο ουκ ελαβες ει δε και ελαβες τι καυχασαι ως μη λαβων

4:8 ηδη κεκορεσμενοι εστε ηδη επλουτησατε χωρις ημων εβασιλευσατε και οφελον γε εβασιλευσατε ινα και ημεις υμιν συμβασιλευσωμεν

4:9 δοκω γαρ οτι ο θεος ημας τους αποστολους εσχατους απεδειξεν ως επιθανατιους οτι θεατρον εγενηθημεν τω κοσμω και αγγελοις και ανθρωποις 4:10 ημεις μωροι δια χριστον υμεις δε φρονιμοι εν χριστω ημεις ασθενεις υμεις δε ισχυροι υμεις ενδοξοι ημεις δε ατιμοι  4:11 αχρι της αρτι ωρας και πεινωμεν και διψωμεν και γυμνητευομεν και κολαφιζομεθα και αστατουμεν 4:12 και κοπιωμεν εργαζομενοι ταις ιδιαις χερσιν λοιδορουμενοι ευλογουμεν διωκομενοι ανεχομεθα 4:13 βλασφημουμενοι παρακαλουμεν ως περικαθαρματα του κοσμου εγενηθημεν παντων περιψημα εως αρτι

4:14 ουκ εντρεπων υμας γραφω ταυτα αλλ ως τεκνα μου αγαπητα νουθετω 4:15 εαν γαρ μυριους παιδαγωγους εχητε εν χριστω αλλ ου πολλους πατερας εν γαρ χριστω ιησου δια του ευαγγελιου εγω υμας εγεννησα 4:16 παρακαλω ουν υμας μιμηται μου γινεσθε 4:17 δια τουτο επεμψα υμιν τιμοθεον ος εστιν τεκνον μου αγαπητον και πιστον εν κυριω ος υμας αναμνησει τας οδους μου τας εν χριστω καθως πανταχου εν παση εκκλησια διδασκω 4:18 ως μη ερχομενου δε μου προς υμας εφυσιωθησαν τινες  4:19 ελευσομαι δε ταχεως προς υμας εαν ο κυριος θεληση και γνωσομαι ου τον λογον των πεφυσιωμενων αλλα την δυναμιν 4:20 ου γαρ εν λογω η βασιλεια του θεου αλλ εν δυναμει 4:21 τι θελετε εν ραβδω ελθω προς υμας η εν αγαπη πνευματι τε πραοτητος

John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 338

1      Deuteronomy 22:30
6      Galatians 5:9
7      Exodus 12:5
8      Exodus 13:7; Deuteronomy 16:3
13    Deuteronomy 13:5, 17:7

6     Lisa Sowle Cahill, “Sexual Ethics,” Interpretation (January 1995), p. 12

6     Francis Patrick Sullivan, “My God, How Simple!,” A Time To Sow, p. 94

1 It is actually reported that there is immorality among you, and of a kind that is not found even among pagans; for a man is living with his father’s wife.  2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you.

3 For though absent in body I am present in spirit, and as if present, I have already pronounced judgment 4 in the name of the Lord Jesus on the man who has done such a thing. When you are assembled, and my spirit is present, with the power of our Lord Jesus, 5 you are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?  7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our paschal lamb, has been sacrificed.  8 Let us, therefore, celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with immoral men; 10 not at all meaning the immoral of this world, or the greedy and robbers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.  11 But rather I wrote to you not to associate with any one who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or robber — not even to eat with such a one.  12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?  13 God judges those outside. “Drive out the wicked person from among you.”

5:1 ολως ακουεται εν υμιν πορνεια και τοιαυτη πορνεια ητις ουδε εν τοις εθνεσιν ονομαζεται ωστε γυναικα τινα του πατρος εχειν 5:2 και υμεις πεφυσιωμενοι εστε και ουχι μαλλον επενθησατε ινα εξαρθη εκ μεσου υμων ο το εργον τουτο ποιησας

5:3 εγω μεν γαρ ως απων τω σωματι παρων δε τω πνευματι ηδη κεκρικα ως παρων τον ουτως τουτο κατεργασαμενον 5:4 εν τω ονοματι του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου συναχθεντων υμων και του εμου πνευματος συν τη δυναμει του κυριου ημων ιησου χριστου 5:5 παραδουναι τον τοιουτον τω σατανα εις ολεθρον της σαρκος ινα το πνευμα σωθη εν τη ημερα του κυριου ιησου

5:6 ου καλον το καυχημα υμων ουκ οιδατε οτι μικρα ζυμη ολον το φυραμα ζυμοι 5:7 εκκαθαρατε την παλαιαν ζυμην ινα ητε νεον φυραμα καθως εστε αζυμοι και γαρ το πασχα ημων υπερ ημων αβχριστος 5:8 ωστε εορταζωμεν μη εν ζυμη παλαια μηδε εν ζυμη κακιας και πονηριας αλλ εν αζυμοις ειλικρινειας και αληθειας

5:9 εγραψα υμιν εν τη επιστολη μη συναναμιγνυσθαι πορνοις 5:10 και ου παντως τοις πορνοις του κοσμου τουτου η τοις πλεονεκταις η αρπαξιν η ειδωλολατραις επει οφειλετε αρα εκ του κοσμου εξελθειν 5:11 νυν δε εγραψα υμιν μη συναναμιγνυσθαι εαν τις αδελφος ονομαζομενος η πορνος η πλεονεκτης η ειδωλολατρης η λοιδορος η μεθυσος η αρπαξ τω τοιουτω μηδε συνεσθιειν 5:12 τι γαρ μοι και τους εξω κρινειν ουχι τους εσω υμεις κρινετε 5:13 τους δε εξω ο θεος κρινει και εξαρειτε τον πονηρον εξ υμων αυτων

12    1 Corinthians 10:23
16    Genesis 2:24
19    1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 6:16

1-8     John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 338

1-8     Antonio Damasio, Looking for Spinoza, p. 228

1-8     Micheal Lerner, Jewish Renewal, p. 146

1-8     Chaim Potok, The Gift of Asher Lev, p. 241

9-10   Lisa Sowle Cahill, “Sexual Ethics,” Interpretation (January 1995), p. 14

11      Basil the Great, On the Holy Spirit, p. 77

15-20     John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 282 f.

17      Blaise Pascal, “# 483,” Pensées, p. 134

19-20     Flora Slosson Wuellner, Prayer and Our Bodies, p. 26
20          Robert Collin Morris, “Reclaiming the Body’s Soul,” Weavings (September/October 2007), p. 37-38

1 When one of you has a grievance against a brother, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints?  2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?  3 Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, matters pertaining to this life! 4 If then you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who are least esteemed by the church?  5 I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no man among you wise enough to decide between members of the brotherhood, 6 but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?

7 To have lawsuits at all with one another is defeat for you. Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?  8 But you yourselves wrong and defraud, and that even your own brethren.

9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither the immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor sexual perverts, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor robbers will inherit the kingdom of God.  11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.  13 “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food” — and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. 14 And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power.  15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I therefore take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never!  16 Do you not know that he who joins himself to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two shall become one flesh.”  17 But he who is united to the Lord becomes one spirit with him.  18 Shun immorality. Every other sin which a man commits is outside the body; but the immoral man sins against his own body.  19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, which you have from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

6:1 τολμα τις υμων πραγμα εχων προς τον ετερον κρινεσθαι επι των αδικων και ουχι επι των αγιων 6:2 ουκ οιδατε οτι οι αγιοι τον κοσμον κρινουσιν και ει εν υμιν κρινεται ο κοσμος αναξιοι εστε κριτηριων ελαχιστων 6:3 ουκ οιδατε οτι αγγελους κρινουμεν μητι γε βιωτικα 6:4 βιωτικα μεν ουν κριτηρια εαν εχητε τους εξουθενημενους εν τη εκκλησια τουτους καθιζετε 6:5 προς εντροπην υμιν λεγω ουτως ουκ ενι εν υμιν σοφος ουδε εις ος δυνησεται διακριναι ανα μεσον του αδελφου αυτου  6:6 αλλα αδελφος μετα αδελφου κρινεται και τουτο επι απιστων

6:7 ηδη μεν ουν ολως ηττημα υμιν εστιν οτι κριματα εχετε μεθ εαυτων δια τι ουχι μαλλον αδικεισθε δια τι ουχι μαλλον αποστερεισθε 6:8 αλλα υμεις αδικειτε και αποστερειτε και ταυτα αδελφους

6:9 η ουκ οιδατε οτι αδικοι βασιλειαν θεου ου κληρονομησουσιν μη πλανασθε ουτε πορνοι ουτε ειδωλολατραι ουτε μοιχοι ουτε μαλακοι ουτε αρσενοκοιται 6:10 ουτε πλεονεκται ουτε κλεπται ουτε μεθυσοι ου λοιδοροι ουχ αρπαγες βασιλειαν θεου ου κληρονομησουσιν 6:11 και ταυτα τινες ητε αλλα απελουσασθε αλλα ηγιασθητε αλλ εδικαιωθητε εν τω ονοματι του κυριου ιησου και εν τω πνευματι του θεου ημων

6:12 παντα μοι εξεστιν αλλ ου παντα συμφερει παντα μοι εξεστιν αλλ ουκ εγω εξουσιασθησομαι υπο τινος 6:13 τα βρωματα τη κοιλια και η κοιλια τοις βρωμασιν ο δε θεος και ταυτην και ταυτα καταργησει το δε σωμα ου τη πορνεια αλλα τω κυριω και ο κυριος τω σωματι 6:14 ο δε θεος και τον κυριον ηγειρεν και ημας εξεγερει δια της δυναμεως αυτου 6:15 ουκ οιδατε οτι τα σωματα υμων μελη χριστου εστιν αρας ουν τα μελη του χριστου ποιησω πορνης μελη μη γενοιτο 6:16 [η] ουκ οιδατε οτι ο κολλωμενος τη πορνη εν σωμα εστιν εσονται γαρ φησιν οι δυο εις σαρκα μιαν 6:17 ο δε κολλωμενος τω κυριω εν πνευμα εστιν 6:18 φευγετε την πορνειαν παν αμαρτημα ο εαν ποιηση ανθρωπος εκτος του σωματος εστιν ο δε πορνευων εις το ιδιον σωμα αμαρτανει 6:19 η ουκ οιδατε οτι το σωμα υμων ναος του εν υμιν αγιου πνευματος εστιν ου εχετε απο θεου και ουκ εστε εαυτων 6:20 ηγορασθητε γαρ τιμης δοξασατε δη τον θεον εν τω σωματι υμων και εν τω πνευματι υμων ατινα εστιν του θεου

10-11    Matthew 5:32; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18
23         Leviticus 25:35-55

4    Lisa Sowle Cahill, “Sexual Ethics,” Interpretation (January 1995), p. 12

29-31     Andrew Greeley, “The Ultimate Bad News,” When Life Hurts, p. 173-177
30           Albert Schweitzer, A Place for Revelation, p. 58-65
35           Lisa Sowle Cahill, “Sexual Ethics,” Interpretation (January 1995), p. 12

1 Now concerning the matters about which you wrote. It is well for a man not to touch a woman.  2 But because of the temptation to immorality, each man should have his own wife and each woman her own husband.  3 The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights, and likewise the wife to her husband. 4 For the wife does not rule over her own body, but the husband does; likewise the husband does not rule over his own body, but the wife does.  5 Do not refuse one another except perhaps by agreement for a season, that you may devote yourselves to prayer; but then come together again, lest Satan tempt you through lack of self-control.  6 I say this by way of concession, not of command.  7 I wish that all were as I myself am. But each has his own special gift from God, one of one kind and one of another.

8 To the unmarried and the widows I say that it is well for them to remain single as I do.  9 But if they cannot exercise self-control, they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame with passion.

10 To the married I give charge, not I but the Lord, that the wife should not separate from her husband 11 (but if she does, let her remain single or else be reconciled to her husband) — and that the husband should not divorce his wife.

12 To the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.  13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.  14 For the unbelieving husband is consecrated through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is consecrated through her husband. Otherwise, your children would be unclean, but as it is they are holy.  15 But if the unbelieving partner desires to separate, let it be so; in such a case the brother or sister is not bound. For God has called us to peace.  16 Wife, how do you know whether you will save your husband? Husband, how do you know whether you will save your wife?

17 Only, let every one lead the life which the Lord has assigned to him, and in which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches.  18 Was any one at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was any one at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision.  19 For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God.  20 Every one should remain in the state in which he was called.

21 Were you a slave when called? Never mind. But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.  22 For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.  23 You were bought with a price; do not become slaves of men.  24 So, brethren, in whatever state each was called, there let him remain with God.

25 Now concerning the unmarried, I have no command of the Lord, but I give my opinion as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy. 26 I think that in view of the present distress it is well for a person to remain as he is.  27 Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free. Are you free from a wife? Do not seek marriage.  28 But if you marry, you do not sin, and if a girl marries she does not sin. Yet those who marry will have worldly troubles, and I would spare you that.  29 I mean, brethren, the appointed time has grown very short; from now on, let those who have wives live as though they had none, 30 and those who mourn as though they were not mourning, and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing, and those who buy as though they had no goods, 31 and those who deal with the world as though they had no dealings with it. For the form of this world is passing away.

32 I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to please the Lord; 33 but the married man is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please his wife, 34 and his interests are divided. And the unmarried woman or girl is anxious about the affairs of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit; but the married woman is anxious about worldly affairs, how to please her husband.  35 I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.

36 If any one thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry — it is no sin.  37 But whoever is firmly established in his heart, being under no necessity but having his desire under control, and has determined this in his heart, to keep her as his betrothed, he will do well. 38 So that he who marries his betrothed does well; and he who refrains from marriage will do better.

39 A wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.  40 But in my judgment she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I have the Spirit of God.

7:1 περι δε ων εγραψατε μοι καλον ανθρωπω γυναικος μη απτεσθαι 7:2 δια δε τας πορνειας εκαστος την εαυτου γυναικα εχετω και εκαστη τον ιδιον ανδρα εχετω 7:3 τη γυναικι ο ανηρ την οφειλομενην ευνοιαν αποδιδοτω ομοιως δε και η γυνη τω ανδρι 7:4 η γυνη του ιδιου σωματος ουκ εξουσιαζει αλλ ο ανηρ ομοιως δε και ο ανηρ του ιδιου σωματος ουκ εξουσιαζει αλλ η γυνη 7:5 μη αποστερειτε αλληλους ει μη τι αν εκ συμφωνου προς καιρον ινα σχολαζητε τη νηστεια και τη προσευχη και παλιν επι το αυτο συνερχησθε ινα μη πειραζη υμας ο σατανας δια την ακρασιαν υμων 7:6 τουτο δε λεγω κατα συγγνωμην ου κατ επιταγην 7:7 θελω γαρ παντας ανθρωπους ειναι ως και εμαυτον αλλ εκαστος ιδιον χαρισμα εχει εκ θεου ος μεν ουτως ος δε ουτως

7:8 λεγω δε τοις αγαμοις και ταις χηραις καλον αυτοις εστιν εαν μεινωσιν ως καγω 7:9 ει δε ουκ εγκρατευονται γαμησατωσαν κρεισσον γαρ εστιν γαμησαι η πυρουσθαι

7:10 τοις δε γεγαμηκοσιν παραγγελλω ουκ εγω αλλ ο κυριος γυναικα απο ανδρος μη χωρισθηναι 7:11 εαν δε και χωρισθη μενετω αγαμος η τω ανδρι καταλλαγητω και ανδρα γυναικα μη αφιεναι

7:12 τοις δε λοιποις εγω λεγω ουχ ο κυριος ει τις αδελφος γυναικα εχει απιστον και αυτη συνευδοκει οικειν μετ αυτου μη αφιετω αυτην 7:13 και γυνη ητις εχει ανδρα απιστον και αυτος συνευδοκει οικειν μετ αυτης μη αφιετω αυτον 7:14 ηγιασται γαρ ο ανηρ ο απιστος εν τη γυναικι και ηγιασται η γυνη η απιστος εν τω ανδρι επει αρα τα τεκνα υμων ακαθαρτα εστιν νυν δε αγια εστιν 7:15 ει δε ο απιστος χωριζεται χωριζεσθω ου δεδουλωται ο αδελφος η η αδελφη εν τοις τοιουτοις εν δε ειρηνη κεκληκεν ημας ο θεος 7:16 τι γαρ οιδας γυναι ει τον ανδρα σωσεις η τι οιδας ανερ ει την γυναικα σωσεις

7:17 ει μη εκαστω ως εμερισεν ο θεος εκαστον ως κεκληκεν ο κυριος ουτως περιπατειτω και ουτως εν ταις εκκλησιαις πασαις διατασσομαι 7:18 περιτετμημενος τις εκληθη μη επισπασθω εν ακροβυστια τις εκληθη μη περιτεμνεσθω 7:19 η περιτομη ουδεν εστιν και η ακροβυστια ουδεν εστιν αλλα τηρησις εντολων θεου 7:20 εκαστος εν τη κλησει η εκληθη εν ταυτη μενετω

7:21 δουλος εκληθης μη σοι μελετω αλλ ει και δυνασαι ελευθερος γενεσθαι μαλλον χρησαι 7:22 ο γαρ εν κυριω κληθεις δουλος απελευθερος κυριου εστιν ομοιως και ο ελευθερος κληθεις δουλος εστιν χριστου 7:23 τιμης ηγορασθητε μη γινεσθε δουλοι ανθρωπων 7:24 εκαστος εν ω εκληθη αδελφοι εν τουτω μενετω παρα θεω

7:25 περι δε των παρθενων επιταγην κυριου ουκ εχω γνωμην δε διδωμι ως ηλεημενος υπο κυριου πιστος ειναι 7:26 νομιζω ουν τουτο καλον υπαρχειν δια την ενεστωσαν αναγκην οτι καλον ανθρωπω το ουτως ειναι 7:27 δεδεσαι γυναικι μη ζητει λυσιν λελυσαι απο γυναικος μη ζητει γυναικα 7:28 εαν δε και γημης ουχ ημαρτες και εαν γημη η παρθενος ουχ ημαρτεν θλιψιν δε τη σαρκι εξουσιν οι τοιουτοι εγω δε υμων φειδομαι 7:29 τουτο δε φημι αδελφοι ο καιρος συνεσταλμενος το λοιπον εστιν ινα και οι εχοντες γυναικας ως μη εχοντες ωσιν 7:30 και οι κλαιοντες ως μη κλαιοντες και οι χαιροντες ως μη χαιροντες και οι αγοραζοντες ως μη κατεχοντες 7:31 και οι χρωμενοι τω κοσμω τουτω ως μη καταχρωμενοι παραγει γαρ το σχημα του κοσμου τουτου

7:32 θελω δε υμας αμεριμνους ειναι ο αγαμος μεριμνα τα του κυριου πως αρεσει τω κυριω 7:33 ο δε γαμησας μεριμνα τα του κοσμου πως αρεσει τη γυναικι 7:34 μεμερισται και η γυνη και η παρθενος η αγαμος μεριμνα τα του κυριου ινα η αγια και σωματι και πνευματι η δε γαμησασα μεριμνα τα του κοσμου πως αρεσει τω ανδρι 7:35 τουτο δε προς το υμων αυτων συμφερον λεγω ουχ ινα βροχον υμιν επιβαλω αλλα προς το ευσχημον και ευπροσεδρον τω κυριω απερισπαστως

7:36 ει δε τις ασχημονειν επι την παρθενον αυτου νομιζει εαν η υπερακμος και ουτως οφειλει γινεσθαι ο θελει ποιειτω ουχ αμαρτανει γαμειτωσαν 7:37 ος δε εστηκεν εδραιος εν τη καρδια μη εχων αναγκην εξουσιαν δε εχει περι του ιδιου θεληματος και τουτο κεκρικεν εν τη καρδια αυτου του τηρειν την εαυτου παρθενον καλως ποιει  7:38 ωστε και ο εκγαμιζων καλως ποιει ο δε μη εκγαμιζων κρεισσον ποιει

7:39 γυνη δεδεται νομω εφ οσον χρονον ζη ο ανηρ αυτης εαν δε και κοιμηθη ο ανηρ ελευθερα εστιν ω θελει γαμηθηναι μονον εν κυριω 7:40 μακαριωτερα δε εστιν εαν ουτως μεινη κατα την εμην γνωμην δοκω δε καγω πνευμα θεου εχειν

8     Mark 7:14-15

3    Victor Paul Furnish, “Paul and the Corinthians,” Interpretation (July 1998), p. 239

6    Geza Vermes, The Changing Faces of Jesus, p. 90

1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” “Knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up.  2 If any one imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.  3 But if one loves God, one is known by him.

4 Hence, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that “an idol has no real existence,” and that “there is no God but one.”  5 For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth — as indeed there are many “gods” and many “lords” -6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

7 However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through being hitherto accustomed to idols, eat food as really offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.  8 Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.  9 Only take care lest this liberty of yours somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.  10 For if any one sees you, a man of knowledge, at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols?  11 And so by your knowledge this weak man is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. 12 Thus, sinning against your brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ.  13 Therefore, if food is a cause of my brother’s falling, I will never eat meat, lest I cause my brother to fall.

8:1 περι δε των ειδωλοθυτων οιδαμεν οτι παντες γνωσιν εχομεν η γνωσις φυσιοι η δε αγαπη οικοδομει 8:2 ει δε τις δοκει ειδεναι τι ουδεπω ουδεν εγνωκεν καθως δει γνωναι 8:3 ει δε τις αγαπα τον θεον ουτος εγνωσται υπ αυτου

8:4 περι της βρωσεως ουν των ειδωλοθυτων οιδαμεν οτι ουδεν ειδωλον εν κοσμω και οτι ουδεις θεος ετερος ει μη εις 8:5 και γαρ ειπερ εισιν λεγομενοι θεοι ειτε εν ουρανω ειτε επι [τησ] γης ωσπερ εισιν θεοι πολλοι και κυριοι πολλοι 8:6 αλλ ημιν εις θεος ο πατηρ εξ ου τα παντα και ημεις εις αυτον και εις κυριος ιησους χριστος δι ου τα παντα και ημεις δι αυτου

8:7 αλλ ουκ εν πασιν η γνωσις τινες δε τη συνειδησει του ειδωλου εως αρτι ως ειδωλοθυτον εσθιουσιν και η συνειδησις αυτων ασθενης ουσα μολυνεται 8:8 βρωμα δε ημας ου παριστησιν τω θεω ουτε γαρ εαν φαγωμεν περισσευομεν ουτε εαν μη φαγωμεν υστερουμεθα 8:9 βλεπετε δε μηπως η εξουσια υμων αυτη προσκομμα γενηται τοις ασθενουσιν 8:10 εαν γαρ τις ιδη σε τον εχοντα γνωσιν εν ειδωλειω κατακειμενον ουχι η συνειδησις αυτου ασθενους οντος οικοδομηθησεται εις το τα ειδωλοθυτα εσθιειν 8:11 και απολειται ο ασθενων αδελφος επι τη ση γνωσει δι ον χριστος απεθανεν 8:12 ουτως δε αμαρτανοντες εις τους αδελφους και τυπτοντες αυτων την συνειδησιν ασθενουσαν εις χριστον αμαρτανετε 8:13 διοπερ ει βρωμα σκανδαλιζει τον αδελφον μου ου μη φαγω κρεα εις τον αιωνα ινα μη τον αδελφον μου σκανδαλισω

7      Luke 13:6-9
9      Deuteronomy 25:4; 1 Timothy 5:18
11     Romans 15:27
13    Deuteronomy 18:1
14    Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7
19    Matthew 5:39-41

1-18      John Dominic Crossan, The Historical Jesus, p. 342
12-15    John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 331-334

14-15     John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed, Excavating Jesus, p. 159

15       Wang Weifan, Lilies of the Field, p. 51

1 Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?  2 If to others I am not an apostle, at least I am to you; for you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.

3 This is my defense to those who would examine me.  4 Do we not have the right to our food and drink?  5 Do we not have the right to be accompanied by a wife, as the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?  6 Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?  7 Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?

8 Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same?  9 For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned?  10 Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the plowman should plow in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop.  11 If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? 12 If others share this rightful claim upon you, do not we still more?

Nevertheless, we have not made use of this right, but we endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.  13 Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings?  14 In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

15 But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing this to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have any one deprive me of my ground for boasting.  16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!  17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward; but if not of my own will, I am entrusted with a commission.  18 What then is my reward? Just this: that in my preaching I may make the gospel free of charge, not making full use of my right in the gospel.

19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more.  20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews; to those under the law I became as one under the law — though not being myself under the law — that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law — not being without law toward God but under the law of Christ — that I might win those outside the law.  22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.  23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.  25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.  26 Well, I do not run aimlessly, I do not box as one beating the air; 27 but I pommel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

9:1 ουκ ειμι αποστολος ουκ ειμι ελευθερος ουχι ιησουν χριστον τον κυριον ημων εωρακα ου το εργον μου υμεις εστε εν κυριω 9:2 ει αλλοις ουκ ειμι αποστολος αλλα γε υμιν ειμι η γαρ σφραγις της εμης αποστολης υμεις εστε εν κυριω

9:3 η εμη απολογια τοις εμε ανακρινουσιν αυτη εστιν 9:4 μη ουκ εχομεν εξουσιαν φαγειν και πιειν 9:5 μη ουκ εχομεν εξουσιαν αδελφην γυναικα περιαγειν ως και οι λοιποι αποστολοι και οι αδελφοι του κυριου και κηφας 9:6 η μονος εγω και βαρναβας ουκ εχομεν εξουσιαν του μη εργαζεσθαι 9:7 τις στρατευεται ιδιοις οψωνιοις ποτε τις φυτευει αμπελωνα και εκ του καρπου αυτου ουκ εσθιει η τις ποιμαινει ποιμνην και εκ του γαλακτος της ποιμνης ουκ εσθιει

9:8 μη κατα ανθρωπον ταυτα λαλω η ουχι και ο νομος ταυτα λεγει 9:9 εν γαρ τω μωυσεως νομω γεγραπται ου φιμωσεις βουν αλοωντα μη των βοων μελει τω θεω 9:10 η δι ημας παντως λεγει δι ημας γαρ εγραφη οτι επ ελπιδι οφειλει ο αροτριων αροτριαν και ο αλοων της ελπιδος αυτου μετεχειν επ ελπιδι 9:11 ει ημεις υμιν τα πνευματικα εσπειραμεν μεγα ει ημεις υμων τα σαρκικα θερισομεν 9:12 ει αλλοι της εξουσιας υμων μετεχουσιν ου μαλλον ημεις αλλ ουκ εχρησαμεθα τη εξουσια ταυτη αλλα παντα στεγομεν ινα μη εγκοπην τινα δωμεν τω ευαγγελιω του χριστου  9:13 ουκ οιδατε οτι οι τα ιερα εργαζομενοι εκ του ιερου εσθιουσιν οι τω θυσιαστηριω προσεδρευοντες τω θυσιαστηριω συμμεριζονται 9:14 ουτως και ο κυριος διεταξεν τοις το ευαγγελιον καταγγελλουσιν εκ του ευαγγελιου ζην

9:15 εγω δε ουδενι εχρησαμην τουτων ουκ εγραψα δε ταυτα ινα ουτως γενηται εν εμοι καλον γαρ μοι μαλλον αποθανειν η το καυχημα μου ινα τις κενωση 9:16 εαν γαρ ευαγγελιζωμαι ουκ εστιν μοι καυχημα αναγκη γαρ μοι επικειται ουαι δε μοι εστιν εαν μη ευαγγελιζωμαι 9:17 ει γαρ εκων τουτο πρασσω μισθον εχω ει δε ακων οικονομιαν πεπιστευμαι  9:18 τις ουν μοι εστιν ο μισθος ινα ευαγγελιζομενος αδαπανον θησω το ευαγγελιον του χριστου εις το μη καταχρησασθαι τη εξουσια μου εν τω ευαγγελιω

9:19 ελευθερος γαρ ων εκ παντων πασιν εμαυτον εδουλωσα ινα τους πλειονας κερδησω 9:20 και εγενομην τοις ιουδαιοις ως ιουδαιος ινα ιουδαιους κερδησω τοις υπο νομον ως υπο νομον ινα τους υπο νομον κερδησω 9:21 τοις ανομοις ως ανομος μη ων ανομος θεω αλλ εννομος χριστω ινα κερδησω ανομους 9:22 εγενομην τοις ασθενεσιν ως ασθενης ινα τους ασθενεις κερδησω τοις πασιν γεγονα τα παντα ινα παντως τινας σωσω 9:23 τουτο δε ποιω δια το ευαγγελιον ινα συγκοινωνος αυτου γενωμαι

9:24 ουκ οιδατε οτι οι εν σταδιω τρεχοντες παντες μεν τρεχουσιν εις δε λαμβανει το βραβειον ουτως τρεχετε ινα καταλαβητε  9:25 πας δε ο αγωνιζομενος παντα εγκρατευεται εκεινοι μεν ουν ινα φθαρτον στεφανον λαβωσιν ημεις δε αφθαρτον 9:26 εγω τοινυν ουτως τρεχω ως ουκ αδηλως ουτως πυκτευω ως ουκ αερα δερων 9:27 αλλ υπωπιαζω μου το σωμα και δουλαγωγω μηπως αλλοις κηρυξας αυτος αδοκιμος γενωμαι

1          Exodus 13:21-22, 14:22-29
3          Exodus 16:35
4          Exodus 17:6; Numbers 20:11
5          Numbers 14:29-30
6          Numbers 11:4
7          Exodus 32:6
8          Numbers 25:1-18
9          Numbers 21:5-6
10        Numbers 16:41-49
16        Matthew 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20
18        Leviticus 7:6
20       Deuteronomy 32:17
22       Deuteronomy 32:21
23       1 Corinthians 6:12
25-26  Acts 15:28-29
26       Psalm 24:1

1-4      Keith Beasley-Topliffe, “And the Rock was Christ,” Weavings (July/August 1996), p. 30-36
4          Gerard Manley Hopkins, “New Readings (I),” The Plough, p. 35

14-33     John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 338

17       Edward J. Kilmartin, “The Eucharistic Gift: Augustine of Hippo,” Preaching in the Patristic Age, p. 176

25-26     Brian Zahn, When Everything’s on Fire, p. 63

1 I want you to know, brethren, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same supernatural food 4 and all drank the same supernatural drink. For they drank from the supernatural Rock which followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless with most of them God was not pleased; for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

6 Now these things are warnings for us, not to desire evil as they did.  7 Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to dance.”  8 We must not indulge in immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.  9 We must not put the Lord to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents; 10 nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.  11 Now these things happened to them as a warning, but they were written down for our instruction, upon whom the end of the ages has come.  12 Therefore let any one who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.  13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

14 Therefore, my beloved, shun the worship of idols.  15 I speak as to sensible men; judge for yourselves what I say.  16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?  17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.  18 Consider the people of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar?  19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?  20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons.  21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.  22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.  24 Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.  25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.  26 For “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.”  27 If one of the unbelievers invites you to dinner and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.  28 (But if some one says to you, “This has been offered in sacrifice,” then out of consideration for the man who informed you, and for conscience’ sake -29 I mean his conscience, not yours — do not eat it.) For why should my liberty be determined by another man’s scruples?  30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.  32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please all men in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

10:1 ου θελω δε υμας αγνοειν αδελφοι οτι οι πατερες ημων παντες υπο την νεφελην ησαν και παντες δια της θαλασσης διηλθον 10:2 και παντες εις τον μωυσην εβαπτισαντο εν τη νεφελη και εν τη θαλασση 10:3 και παντες το αυτο βρωμα πνευματικον εφαγον 10:4 και παντες το αυτο πομα πνευματικον επιον επινον γαρ εκ πνευματικης ακολουθουσης πετρας η δε πετρα ην ο χριστος 10:5 αλλ ουκ εν τοις πλειοσιν αυτων ευδοκησεν ο θεος κατεστρωθησαν γαρ εν τη ερημω

10:6 ταυτα δε τυποι ημων εγενηθησαν εις το μη ειναι ημας επιθυμητας κακων καθως κακεινοι επεθυμησαν 10:7 μηδε ειδωλολατραι γινεσθε καθως τινες αυτων ωσπερ γεγραπται εκαθισεν ο λαος φαγειν και πιειν και ανεστησαν παιζειν 10:8 μηδε πορνευωμεν καθως τινες αυτων επορνευσαν και επεσον εν μια ημερα εικοσιτρεις χιλιαδες 10:9 μηδε εκπειραζωμεν τον χριστον καθως και τινες αυτων επειρασαν και υπο των οφεων απωλοντο 10:10 μηδε γογγυζετε καθως και τινες αυτων εγογγυσαν και απωλοντο υπο του ολοθρευτου 10:11 ταυτα δε παντα τυποι συνεβαινον εκεινοις εγραφη δε προς νουθεσιαν ημων εις ους τα τελη των αιωνων κατηντησεν  10:12 ωστε ο δοκων εσταναι βλεπετω μη πεση 10:13 πειρασμος υμας ουκ ειληφεν ει μη ανθρωπινος πιστος δε ο θεος ος ουκ εασει υμας πειρασθηναι υπερ ο δυνασθε αλλα ποιησει συν τω πειρασμω και την εκβασιν του δυνασθαι υμας υπενεγκειν

10:14 διοπερ αγαπητοι μου φευγετε απο της ειδωλολατρειας 10:15 ως φρονιμοις λεγω κρινατε υμεις ο φημι  10:16 το ποτηριον της ευλογιας ο ευλογουμεν ουχι κοινωνια του αιματος του χριστου εστιν τον αρτον ον κλωμεν ουχι κοινωνια του σωματος του χριστου εστιν 10:17 οτι εις αρτος εν σωμα οι πολλοι εσμεν οι γαρ παντες εκ του ενος αρτου μετεχομεν 10:18 βλεπετε τον ισραηλ κατα σαρκα ουχι οι εσθιοντες τας θυσιας κοινωνοι του θυσιαστηριου εισιν 10:19 τι ουν φημι οτι ειδωλον τι εστιν η οτι ειδωλοθυτον τι εστιν 10:20 αλλ οτι α θυει τα εθνη δαιμονιοις θυει και ου θεω ου θελω δε υμας κοινωνους των δαιμονιων γινεσθαι  10:21 ου δυνασθε ποτηριον κυριου πινειν και ποτηριον δαιμονιων ου δυνασθε τραπεζης κυριου μετεχειν και τραπεζης δαιμονιων 10:22 η παραζηλουμεν τον κυριον μη ισχυροτεροι αυτου εσμεν

10:23 παντα μοι εξεστιν αλλ ου παντα συμφερει παντα μοι εξεστιν αλλ ου παντα οικοδομει 10:24 μηδεις το εαυτου ζητειτω αλλα το του ετερου εκαστος 10:25 παν το εν μακελλω πωλουμενον εσθιετε μηδεν ανακρινοντες δια την συνειδησιν 10:26 του γαρ κυριου η γη και το πληρωμα αυτης 10:27 ει δε τις καλει υμας των απιστων και θελετε πορευεσθαι παν το παρατιθεμενον υμιν εσθιετε μηδεν ανακρινοντες δια την συνειδησιν 10:28 εαν δε τις υμιν ειπη τουτο ειδωλοθυτον εστιν μη εσθιετε δι εκεινον τον μηνυσαντα και την συνειδησιν του γαρ κυριου η γη και το πληρωμα αυτης  10:29 συνειδησιν δε λεγω ουχι την εαυτου αλλα την του ετερου ινα τι γαρ η ελευθερια μου κρινεται υπο αλλης συνειδησεως 10:30 ει εγω χαριτι μετεχω τι βλασφημουμαι υπερ ου εγω ευχαριστω

10:31 ειτε ουν εσθιετε ειτε πινετε ειτε τι ποιειτε παντα εις δοξαν θεου ποιειτε  10:32 απροσκοποι γινεσθε και ιουδαιοις και ελλησιν και τη εκκλησια του θεου 10:33 καθως καγω παντα πασιν αρεσκω μη ζητων το εμαυτου συμφερον αλλα το των πολλων ινα σωθωσιν

1         1 Corinthians 4:16; Philippians 3:17
7         Genesis 1:26-27
8-9    Genesis 2:18-23

1         Geza Vermes, The Changing Faces of Jesus, p. 109 f.

3-16     John Dominic Crossan, “Two as One,” The Historical Jesus, p. 297 f.
3-16     John Dominic Crossan, “Equal in the Assembly,” In Search of Paul, p. 112-114

1 Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

2 I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you.  3 But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.  4 Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head, 5 but any woman who prays or prophesies with her head unveiled dishonors her head — it is the same as if her head were shaven.  6 For if a woman will not veil herself, then she should cut off her hair; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her wear a veil.  7 For a man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.  8 (For man was not made from woman, but woman from man.  9 Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.) . 10 That is why a woman ought to have a veil on her head, because of the angels.  11 (Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman; 12 for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.) . 13 Judge for yourselves; is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?  14 Does not nature itself teach you that for a man to wear long hair is degrading to him, 15 but if a woman has long hair, it is her pride? For her hair is given to her for a covering.  16 If any one is disposed to be contentious, we recognize no other practice, nor do the churches of God.

11:1 μιμηται μου γινεσθε καθως καγω χριστου

11:2 επαινω δε υμας αδελφοι οτι παντα μου μεμνησθε και καθως παρεδωκα υμιν τας παραδοσεις κατεχετε 11:3 θελω δε υμας ειδεναι οτι παντος ανδρος η κεφαλη ο χριστος εστιν κεφαλη δε γυναικος ο ανηρ κεφαλη δε χριστου ο θεος 11:4 πας ανηρ προσευχομενος η προφητευων κατα κεφαλης εχων καταισχυνει την κεφαλην αυτου 11:5 πασα δε γυνη προσευχομενη η προφητευουσα ακατακαλυπτω τη κεφαλη καταισχυνει την κεφαλην εαυτης εν γαρ εστιν και το αυτο τη εξυρημενη 11:6 ει γαρ ου κατακαλυπτεται γυνη και κειρασθω ει δε αισχρον γυναικι το κειρασθαι η ξυρασθαι κατακαλυπτεσθω 11:7 ανηρ μεν γαρ ουκ οφειλει κατακαλυπτεσθαι την κεφαλην εικων και δοξα θεου υπαρχων γυνη δε δοξα ανδρος εστιν 11:8 ου γαρ εστιν ανηρ εκ γυναικος αλλα γυνη εξ ανδρος 11:9 και γαρ ουκ εκτισθη ανηρ δια την γυναικα αλλα γυνη δια τον ανδρα 11:10 δια τουτο οφειλει η γυνη εξουσιαν εχειν επι της κεφαλης δια τους αγγελους 11:11 πλην ουτε ανηρ χωρις γυναικος ουτε γυνη χωρις ανδρος εν κυριω 11:12 ωσπερ γαρ η γυνη εκ του ανδρος ουτως και ο ανηρ δια της γυναικος τα δε παντα εκ του θεου 11:13 εν υμιν αυτοις κρινατε πρεπον εστιν γυναικα ακατακαλυπτον τω θεω προσευχεσθαι 11:14 η ουδε αυτη η φυσις διδασκει υμας οτι ανηρ μεν εαν κομα ατιμια αυτω εστιν  11:15 γυνη δε εαν κομα δοξα αυτη εστιν οτι η κομη αντι περιβολαιου δεδοται 11:16 ει δε τις δοκει φιλονεικος ειναι ημεις τοιαυτην συνηθειαν ουκ εχομεν ουδε αι εκκλησιαι του θεου

John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 338-341

24-25    Genesis 2:23
25           Exodus 24:6-8; Jeremiah 31:31-34
27-32    1 Samuel 2:12-17

19-20    Bruce Chilton “The Eucharist: Exploring its Origins,” & Bernhard Lang “The Eucharist: A Sacrificial Formula Preserved” Bible Review (December 1994), p. 37-49

20-34    M. Robert Mulholland, Jr., “Discerning the Body,” Weavings (May/June 1993), p. 20-26
23-26    Frederick Buechner, “The Me in Thee,” The Magnificent Defeat, p. 102-108
23-26    John Dominic Crossan, The Historical Jesus, p. 365 f.
23-26    Rick Spalding, “Speaking the Name,” The Covenant Connection (Winter 2004), p. 2 f.

23-26    Imaging the Word, Vol. I, p. 174-177
27-29    Me

23-26    Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters & Papers from Prison, p. 374

17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.  18 For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.  20 When you meet together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.  21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal, and one is hungry and another is drunk.  22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”  25 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”  26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.  28 Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.  29 For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.  30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.  31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we should not be judged.  32 But when we are judged by the Lord, we are chastened so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

33 So then, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another -34 if any one is hungry, let him eat at home — lest you come together to be condemned. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

11:17 τουτο δε παραγγελλων ουκ επαινω οτι ουκ εις το κρειττον αλλ εις το ηττον συνερχεσθε 11:18 πρωτον μεν γαρ συνερχομενων υμων εν εκκλησια ακουω σχισματα εν υμιν υπαρχειν και μερος τι πιστευω 11:19 δει γαρ και αιρεσεις εν υμιν ειναι ινα οι δοκιμοι φανεροι γενωνται εν υμιν 11:20 συνερχομενων ουν υμων επι το αυτο ουκ εστιν κυριακον δειπνον φαγειν 11:21 εκαστος γαρ το ιδιον δειπνον προλαμβανει εν τω φαγειν και ος μεν πεινα ος δε μεθυει 11:22 μη γαρ οικιας ουκ εχετε εις το εσθιειν και πινειν η της εκκλησιας του θεου καταφρονειτε και καταισχυνετε τους μη εχοντας τι υμιν ειπω επαινεσω υμας εν τουτω ουκ επαινω

11:23 εγω γαρ παρελαβον απο του κυριου ο και παρεδωκα υμιν οτι ο κυριος ιησους εν τη νυκτι η παρεδιδοτο ελαβεν αρτον 11:24 και ευχαριστησας εκλασεν και ειπεν λαβετε φαγετε τουτο μου εστιν το σωμα το υπερ υμων κλωμενον τουτο ποιειτε εις την εμην αναμνησιν 11:25 ωσαυτως και το ποτηριον μετα το δειπνησαι λεγων τουτο το ποτηριον η καινη διαθηκη εστιν εν τω εμω αιματι τουτο ποιειτε οσακις αν πινητε εις την εμην αναμνησιν 11:26 οσακις γαρ αν εσθιητε τον αρτον τουτον και το ποτηριον τουτο πινητε τον θανατον του κυριου καταγγελλετε αχρις ου αν ελθη

11:27 ωστε ος αν εσθιη τον αρτον τουτον η πινη το ποτηριον του κυριου αναξιως του κυριου ενοχος εσται του σωματος και του αιματος του κυριου 11:28 δοκιμαζετω δε ανθρωπος εαυτον και ουτως εκ του αρτου εσθιετω και εκ του ποτηριου πινετω 11:29 ο γαρ εσθιων και πινων αναξιως κριμα εαυτω εσθιει και πινει μη διακρινων το σωμα του κυριου 11:30 δια τουτο εν υμιν πολλοι ασθενεις και αρρωστοι και κοιμωνται ικανοι 11:31 ει γαρ εαυτους διεκρινομεν ουκ αν εκρινομεθα 11:32 κρινομενοι δε υπο κυριου παιδευομεθα ινα μη συν τω κοσμω κατακριθωμεν

11:33 ωστε αδελφοι μου συνερχομενοι εις το φαγειν αλληλους εκδεχεσθε 11:34 ει δε τις πεινα εν οικω εσθιετω ινα μη εις κριμα συνερχησθε τα δε λοιπα ως αν ελθω διαταξομαι

4-11    Romans 12:6-8
12        Romans 12:4-5
28       Ephesians 4:11

3        John Wesley, “Scriptural Christianity,” Fifty-three Sermons, p. 59

3        Morris West, A View from the Ridge, p. 149

4-10       Ivan Steiger, Ivan Steiger Sees the Bible, p. 275
4-6         Me, Session study, 1/14/03

4-6     My translation

7       Johann Christoph Arnold, Sex, God and Marriage

7      John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 347

12-31    Blaise Pascal, “#475” & “#483,” Pensées, p. 131-134

12-31    Kay Ryan, “Cheshire,” The Best of It, p. 183

12-30     Walter J. Burghardt, S.J., “I Have No Need of You?,” Lovely in Eyes Not His, p. 80-85
12-27     H. E. Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer, p. 201 f.
12-26     Ramana Maharshi, quoted by Stephen Mitchell in The Gospel According to Jesus, p. 169

12-26     Symeon the New Theologian, “Baptized into New Life,” Imaging the Word, vol. 2, p. 226

22-25     Mohandas Gandhi, Essential Gandhi, p. 306

31           Walter Brueggemann, Interpretation and Obedience, l. 430-431

28-31     H. E. Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer, p. 155 f.

1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be uninformed.  2 You know that when you were heathen, you were led astray to dumb idols, however you may have been moved.  3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus be cursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of working, but it is the same God who inspires them all in every one.  7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.  8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.  11 All these are inspired by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

12 For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.  13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

14 For the body does not consist of one member but of many.  15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.  16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.  17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?  18 But as it is, God arranged the organs in the body, each one of them, as he chose.  19 If all were a single organ, where would the body be?  20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.  21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  22 On the contrary, the parts of the body which seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and those parts of the body which we think less honorable we invest with the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving the greater honor to the inferior part, 25 that there may be no discord in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.  26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

27 Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.  28 And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?  30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?  31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

12:1 περι δε των πνευματικων αδελφοι ου θελω υμας αγνοειν 12:2 οιδατε οτι οτε εθνη ητε προς τα ειδωλα τα αφωνα ως αν ηγεσθε απαγομενοι 12:3 διο γνωριζω υμιν οτι ουδεις εν πνευματι θεου λαλων λεγει αναθεμα ιησουν και ουδεις δυναται ειπειν κυριον ιησουν ει μη εν πνευματι αγιω

12:4 διαιρεσεις δε χαρισματων εισιν το δε αυτο πνευμα 12:5 και διαιρεσεις διακονιων εισιν και ο αυτος κυριος 12:6 και διαιρεσεις ενεργηματων εισιν ο δε αυτος εστιν θεος ο ενεργων τα παντα εν πασιν 12:7 εκαστω δε διδοται η φανερωσις του πνευματος προς το συμφερον 12:8 ω μεν γαρ δια του πνευματος διδοται λογος σοφιας αλλω δε λογος γνωσεως κατα το αυτο πνευμα 12:9 ετερω δε πιστις εν τω αυτω πνευματι αλλω δε χαρισματα ιαματων εν τω αυτω πνευματι 12:10 αλλω δε ενεργηματα δυναμεων αλλω δε προφητεια αλλω δε διακρισεις πνευματων ετερω δε γενη γλωσσων αλλω δε ερμηνεια γλωσσων 12:11 παντα δε ταυτα ενεργει το εν και το αυτο πνευμα διαιρουν ιδια εκαστω καθως βουλεται

12:12 καθαπερ γαρ το σωμα εν εστιν και μελη εχει πολλα παντα δε τα μελη του σωματος του ενος πολλα οντα εν εστιν σωμα ουτως και ο χριστος 12:13 και γαρ εν ενι πνευματι ημεις παντες εις εν σωμα εβαπτισθημεν ειτε ιουδαιοι ειτε ελληνες ειτε δουλοι ειτε ελευθεροι και παντες εις εν πνευμα εποτισθημεν

12:14 και γαρ το σωμα ουκ εστιν εν μελος αλλα πολλα 12:15 εαν ειπη ο πους οτι ουκ ειμι χειρ ουκ ειμι εκ του σωματος ου παρα τουτο ουκ εστιν εκ του σωματος 12:16 και εαν ειπη το ους οτι ουκ ειμι οφθαλμος ουκ ειμι εκ του σωματος ου παρα τουτο ουκ εστιν εκ του σωματος 12:17 ει ολον το σωμα οφθαλμος που η ακοη ει ολον ακοη που η οσφρησις 12:18 νυνι δε ο θεος εθετο τα μελη εν εκαστον αυτων εν τω σωματι καθως ηθελησεν 12:19 ει δε ην τα παντα εν μελος που το σωμα 12:20 νυν δε πολλα μεν μελη εν δε σωμα 12:21 ου δυναται δε ο οφθαλμος ειπειν τη χειρι χρειαν σου ουκ εχω η παλιν η κεφαλη τοις ποσιν χρειαν υμων ουκ εχω 12:22 αλλα πολλω μαλλον τα δοκουντα μελη του σωματος ασθενεστερα υπαρχειν αναγκαια εστιν 12:23 και α δοκουμεν ατιμοτερα ειναι του σωματος τουτοις τιμην περισσοτεραν περιτιθεμεν και τα ασχημονα ημων ευσχημοσυνην περισσοτεραν εχει 12:24 τα δε ευσχημονα ημων ου χρειαν εχει αλλ ο θεος συνεκερασεν το σωμα τω υστερουντι περισσοτεραν δους τιμην 12:25 ινα μη η σχισματα εν τω σωματι αλλα το αυτο υπερ αλληλων μεριμνωσιν τα μελη 12:26 και ειτε πασχει εν μελος συμπασχει παντα τα μελη ειτε δοξαζεται εν μελος συγχαιρει παντα τα μελη

12:27 υμεις δε εστε σωμα χριστου και μελη εκ μερους 12:28 και ους μεν εθετο ο θεος εν τη εκκλησια πρωτον αποστολους δευτερον προφητας τριτον διδασκαλους επειτα δυναμεις ειτα χαρισματα ιαματων αντιληψεις κυβερνησεις γενη γλωσσων  12:29 μη παντες αποστολοι μη παντες προφηται μη παντες διδασκαλοι μη παντες δυναμεις 12:30 μη παντες χαρισματα εχουσιν ιαματων μη παντες γλωσσαις λαλουσιν μη παντες διερμηνευουσιν 12:31 ζηλουτε δε τα χαρισματα τα κρειττονα και ετι καθ υπερβολην οδον υμιν δεικνυμι

Wendell Berry, “2014 — VIII,” A Small Porch, p. 34

Gary Gunderson, Deeply Woven Roots, p. 74, 126

Lawrence Joseph, “Jeremiah and Corinthians,” Communion, p. 467-478
Archibald Rutledge, “Song of Love,” ?

1-3    Matthew 7:21-27
2        Matthew 17:20, 21:21; Mark 11:23
6        Job 31:29; Psalm 35:26-27; Hosea 4:8

1-8    Walter J. Burghardt, S.J., “Without Love I Am Nothing” & “When Two Covenants Wed,” Lovely in Eyes Not His, p. 177-183
1        Pattiann Rogers, “The Tongues of Angels,” Song of the World Becoming, p. 219

4-7   Søren Kierkegaard, Provocations, p. 114-115
4       C. Christopher Smith and John Pattison, Slow Church, p. 24

4       C. Christopher Smith and John Pattison, Slow Church, p. 24

8-13   Robert Frost, “[We vainly wrestle …],” The Poetry of Robert Frost, p. 469

8       Dan Bellm, “Brand New,” Practice, p. 31

8       Horace Bushnell, “The Eternity of Love,” Sermons, p. 92-95
8       Kathleen Norris, “A Litany for Basil, on Leaving Oz,” Little Girls in Church, p. 60

11      H. E. Fosdick, The Meaning of Prayer, p. 33 f.
12     John Donne, Classics of Western Spirituality, p. 137-152
12     Barbara Kingsolver, “God’s Wife’s Measuring Spoons,” Small Wonder, p. 264

12    Denise Levertov, “Seeing for a Moment,” Oblique Prayers, p. 14

12     Pattiann Rogers, “Peace All Seasons, Each Night,” Song of the World Becoming, p. 28

13   Wendell Berry, “1998 – I,” This Day, p.183

13   Annie Dillard, quoted by Casey Tygrett in Becoming Curious, p. 168

13     Geoffrey Hill, “Canaan, III,” Canaan, p.12

13     Reinhold Niebuhr, quoted in Daily Dig (May 19, 2005)

1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  2 And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; 5 it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right.  7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never ends; as for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.  9 For our knowledge is imperfect and our prophecy is imperfect; 10 but when the perfect comes, the imperfect will pass away.  11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I gave up childish ways.  12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall understand fully, even as I have been fully understood.  13 So faith, hope, love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

13:1 εαν ταις γλωσσαις των ανθρωπων λαλω και των αγγελων αγαπην δε μη εχω γεγονα χαλκος ηχων η κυμβαλον αλαλαζον 13:2 και εαν εχω προφητειαν και ειδω τα μυστηρια παντα και πασαν την γνωσιν και εαν εχω πασαν την πιστιν ωστε ορη μεθιστανειν αγαπην δε μη εχω αβειμι 13:3 και εαν ψωμισω παντα τα υπαρχοντα μου και εαν παραδω το σωμα μου ινα καυθησωμαι αγαπην δε μη εχω ουδεν ωφελουμαι

13:4 η αγαπη μακροθυμει χρηστευεται η αγαπη ου ζηλοι η αγαπη ου περπερευεται ου φυσιουται 13:5 ουκ ασχημονει ου ζητει τα εαυτης ου παροξυνεται ου λογιζεται το κακον 13:6 ου χαιρει επι τη αδικια συγχαιρει δε τη αληθεια 13:7 παντα στεγει παντα πιστευει παντα ελπιζει παντα υπομενει

13:8 η αγαπη ουδεποτε εκπιπτει ειτε δε προφητειαι καταργηθησονται ειτε γλωσσαι παυσονται ειτε γνωσις καταργηθησεται 13:9 εκ μερους δε γινωσκομεν και εκ μερους προφητευομεν 13:10 οταν δε ελθη το τελειον τοτε το εκ μερους καταργηθησεται 13:11 οτε ημην νηπιος ως νηπιος ελαλουν ως νηπιος εφρονουν ως νηπιος ελογιζομην οτε δε γεγονα ανηρ κατηργηκα τα του νηπιου 13:12 βλεπομεν γαρ αρτι δι εσοπτρου εν αινιγματι τοτε δε προσωπον προς προσωπον αρτι γινωσκω εκ μερους τοτε δε επιγνωσομαι καθως και επεγνωσθην  13:13 νυνι δε μενει πιστις ελπις αγαπη τα τρια ταυτα μειζων δε τουτων η αγαπη

5      Numbers 11:29
21    Isaiah 28:11-12

1-5      Shepherd of Hermas, “So whenever the person who has the divine Spirit,” The Holy Spirit, p. 25

13-19     W. B. Yeats, “Ribh in Ecstasy,” Selected Poems and Plays, p. 155

33-36   John Dominic Crossan, “Unequal in the Assembly,” In Search of Paul, p. 119

1 Make love your aim, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. 2 For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.  3 On the other hand, he who prophesies speaks to men for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.  4 He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.  5 Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than he who speaks in tongues, unless some one interprets, so that the church may be edified.

6 Now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how shall I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?  7 If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will any one know what is played?  8 And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?  9 So with yourselves; if you in a tongue utter speech that is not intelligible, how will any one know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.  10 There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning; 11 but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I shall be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.  12 So with yourselves; since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

13 Therefore, he who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret.  14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.  15 What am I to do? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.  16 Otherwise, if you bless with the spirit, how can any one in the position of an outsider say the “Amen” to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?  17 For you may give thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.  18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than you all; 19 nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind, in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; be babes in evil, but in thinking be mature.  21 In the law it is written, “By men of strange tongues and by the lips of foreigners will I speak to this people, and even then they will not listen to me, says the Lord.”  22 Thus, tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is not for unbelievers but for believers.  23 If, therefore, the whole church assembles and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad?  24 But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, 25 the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you.

26 What then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification.  27 If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn; and let one interpret. 28 But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silence in church and speak to himself and to God.  29 Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.  30 If a revelation is made to another sitting by, let the first be silent.  31 For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged; 32 and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.  33 For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.

As in all the churches of the saints, 34 the women should keep silence in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be subordinate, as even the law says.  35 If there is anything they desire to know, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.  36 What! Did the word of God originate with you, or are you the only ones it has reached?

37 If any one thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that what I am writing to you is a command of the Lord.  38 If any one does not recognize this, he is not recognized.  39 So, my brethren, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues; 40 but all things should be done decently and in order.

14:1 διωκετε την αγαπην ζηλουτε δε τα πνευματικα μαλλον δε ινα προφητευητε 14:2 ο γαρ λαλων γλωσση ουκ ανθρωποις λαλει αλλα τω θεω ουδεις γαρ ακουει πνευματι δε λαλει μυστηρια 14:3 ο δε προφητευων ανθρωποις λαλει οικοδομην και παρακλησιν και παραμυθιαν 14:4 ο λαλων γλωσση εαυτον οικοδομει ο δε προφητευων εκκλησιαν οικοδομει 14:5 θελω δε παντας υμας λαλειν γλωσσαις μαλλον δε ινα προφητευητε μειζων γαρ ο προφητευων η ο λαλων γλωσσαις εκτος ει μη διερμηνευει ινα η εκκλησια οικοδομην λαβη

14:6 νυνι δε αδελφοι εαν ελθω προς υμας γλωσσαις λαλων τι υμας ωφελησω εαν μη υμιν λαλησω η εν αποκαλυψει η εν γνωσει η εν προφητεια η εν διδαχη 14:7 ομως τα αψυχα φωνην διδοντα ειτε αυλος ειτε κιθαρα εαν διαστολην τοις φθογγοις μη διδω πως γνωσθησεται το αυλουμενον η το κιθαριζομενον 14:8 και γαρ εαν αδηλον φωνην σαλπιγξ δω τις παρασκευασεται εις πολεμον 14:9 ουτως και υμεις δια της γλωσσης εαν μη ευσημον λογον δωτε πως γνωσθησεται το λαλουμενον εσεσθε γαρ εις αερα λαλουντες 14:10 τοσαυτα ει τυχοι γενη φωνων εστιν εν κοσμω και ουδεν βαφωνον 14:11 εαν ουν μη ειδω την δυναμιν της φωνης εσομαι τω λαλουντι βαρβαρος και ο λαλων εν εμοι βαρβαρος 14:12 ουτως και υμεις επει ζηλωται εστε πνευματων προς την οικοδομην της εκκλησιας ζητειτε ινα περισσευητε

14:13 διοπερ ο λαλων γλωσση προσευχεσθω ινα διερμηνευη 14:14 εαν γαρ προσευχωμαι γλωσση το πνευμα μου προσευχεται ο δε νους μου ακαρπος εστιν  14:15 τι ουν εστιν προσευξομαι τω πνευματι προσευξομαι δε και τω νοι ψαλω τω πνευματι ψαλω δε και τω νοι 14:16 επει εαν ευλογησης τω πνευματι ο αναπληρων τον τοπον του ιδιωτου πως ερει το αμην επι τη ση ευχαριστια επειδη τι λεγεις ουκ οιδεν 14:17 συ μεν γαρ καλως ευχαριστεις αλλ ο ετερος ουκ οικοδομειται 14:18 ευχαριστω τω θεω μου παντων υμων μαλλον γλωσσαις 14:19 λαλων 14:19 αλλ εν εκκλησια θελω πεντε λογους δια του νοος μου λαλησαι ινα και αλλους κατηχησω η μυριους λογους εν γλωσση

14:20 αδελφοι μη παιδια γινεσθε ταις φρεσιν αλλα τη κακια νηπιαζετε ταις δε φρεσιν τελειοι γινεσθε 14:21 εν τω νομω γεγραπται οτι εν ετερογλωσσοις και εν χειλεσιν ετεροις λαλησω τω λαω τουτω και ουδ ουτως εισακουσονται μου λεγει κυριος 14:22 ωστε αι γλωσσαι εις σημειον εισιν ου τοις πιστευουσιν αλλα τοις απιστοις η δε προφητεια ου τοις απιστοις αλλα τοις πιστευουσιν 14:23 εαν ουν συνελθη η εκκλησια ολη επι το αυτο και παντες γλωσσαις λαλωσιν εισελθωσιν δε ιδιωται η απιστοι ουκ ερουσιν οτι μαινεσθε 14:24 εαν δε παντες προφητευωσιν εισελθη δε τις απιστος η ιδιωτης ελεγχεται υπο παντων ανακρινεται υπο παντων 14:25 και ουτως τα κρυπτα της καρδιας αυτου φανερα γινεται και ουτως πεσων επι προσωπον προσκυνησει τω θεω απαγγελλων οτι ο θεος οντως εν υμιν εστιν

14:26 τι ουν εστιν αδελφοι οταν συνερχησθε εκαστος υμων ψαλμον εχει διδαχην εχει γλωσσαν εχει αποκαλυψιν εχει ερμηνειαν εχει παντα προς οικοδομην γινεσθω 14:27 ειτε γλωσση τις λαλει κατα δυο η το πλειστον τρεις και ανα μερος και εις διερμηνευετω 14:28 εαν δε μη η διερμηνευτης σιγατω εν εκκλησια εαυτω δε λαλειτω και τω θεω 14:29 προφηται δε δυο η τρεις λαλειτωσαν και οι αλλοι διακρινετωσαν 14:30 εαν δε αλλω αποκαλυφθη καθημενω ο πρωτος σιγατω 14:31 δυνασθε γαρ καθ ενα παντες προφητευειν ινα παντες μανθανωσιν και παντες παρακαλωνται 14:32 και πνευματα προφητων προφηταις υποτασσεται 14:33 ου γαρ εστιν ακαταστασιας ο θεος αλλα ειρηνης

ως εν πασαις ταις εκκλησιαις των αγιων 14:34 αι γυναικες υμων εν ταις εκκλησιαις σιγατωσαν ου γαρ επιτετραπται αυταις λαλειν αλλ υποτασσεσθαι καθως και ο νομος λεγει 14:35 ει δε τι μαθειν θελουσιν εν οικω τους ιδιους ανδρας επερωτατωσαν αισχρον γαρ εστιν γυναιξιν εν εκκλησια λαλειν 14:36 η αφ υμων ο λογος του θεου εξηλθεν η εις υμας μονους κατηντησεν

14:37 ει τις δοκει προφητης ειναι η πνευματικος επιγινωσκετω α γραφω υμιν οτι κυριου εισιν εντολαι  14:38 ει δε τις αγνοει αγνοειτω 14:39 ωστε αδελφοι ζηλουτε το προφητευειν και το λαλειν γλωσσαις μη κωλυετε 14:40 παντα ευσχημονως και κατα ταξιν γινεσθω

Wendell Berry, “Canticle,” Collected Poems, p. 17

John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 341-345

3       Isaiah 53:5-12
4       Genesis 42:17;  2 Kings 20:5;  Psalm 16:8-10;  Hosea 6:2;  Matthew 12:40;  Acts 2:24-32
5       Luke 24:34;  Matthew 28:16-17;  Luke 24:36;  John 20:19
8       Acts 9:3-6
9       Acts 8:3
25     Psalm 110:1;  Hebrews 1:5 – 2:8
27     Psalm 8:6
32     Isaiah 22:13

1-11      John Dominic Crossan, The Historical Jesus, p. 397 f.
1-10     Meister Eckhart, “Latin Sermons,” Preacher and Teacher, p. 216-221
1-2       Francis Patrick Sullivan, “Gambling Fever,” A Time To Sow, p. 55
12-13    John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed, Excavating Jesus, p. 303 f.

14      John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed, Excavating Jesus, p. 314

19      Scott Adams, “Dilbert,” The Modesto Bee (October 16, 2005)

20      John Dominic Crossan and Jonathan L. Reed, Excavating Jesus, p. 304

20-26    Walter Wink, “The Kingdom: God’s Domination-Free Order, Weavings (January/February 1995), p. 6-15

24-28     Oscar Romero, The Violence of Love, p. 179

1 Now I would remind you, brethren, in what terms I preached to you the gospel, which you received, in which you stand, 2 by which you are saved, if you hold it fast — unless you believed in vain.

3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.  7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.  8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.  9 For I am the least of the apostles, unfit 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 toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God which is with me.  11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

12 Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?  13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised; 14 if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.  15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified of God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.  16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised.  17 If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.  18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.  19 If for this life only we have hoped in Christ, we are of all men most to be pitied.

20 But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep.  21 For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.  22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.  23 But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.  24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every 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 God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection under him,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things under him.  28 When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things under him, that God may be everything to every one.

29 Otherwise, what do people mean by being baptized on behalf of the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized on their behalf?

30 Why am I in peril every hour?  31 I protest, brethren, by my pride in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day! 32 What do I gain if, humanly speaking, I fought with beasts at Ephesus? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”  33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”  34 Come to your right mind, and sin no more. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

15:1 γνωριζω δε υμιν αδελφοι το ευαγγελιον ο ευηγγελισαμην υμιν ο και παρελαβετε εν ω και εστηκατε 15:2 δι ου και σωζεσθε τινι λογω ευηγγελισαμην υμιν ει κατεχετε εκτος ει μη εικη επιστευσατε

15:3 παρεδωκα γαρ υμιν εν πρωτοις ο και παρελαβον οτι χριστος απεθανεν υπερ των αμαρτιων ημων κατα τας γραφας 15:4 και οτι εταφη και οτι εγηγερται τη τριτη ημερα κατα τας γραφας 15:5 και οτι ωφθη κηφα ειτα τοις δωδεκα 15:6 επειτα ωφθη επανω πεντακοσιοις αδελφοις εφαπαξ εξ ων οι πλειους μενουσιν εως αρτι τινες δε και εκοιμηθησαν 15:7 επειτα ωφθη ιακωβω ειτα τοις αποστολοις πασιν 15:8 εσχατον δε παντων ωσπερει τω εκτρωματι ωφθη καμοι 15:9 εγω γαρ ειμι ο ελαχιστος των αποστολων ος ουκ ειμι ικανος καλεισθαι αποστολος διοτι εδιωξα την εκκλησιαν

του θεου 15:10 χαριτι δε θεου ειμι ο ειμι και η χαρις αυτου η εις εμε ου κενη εγενηθη αλλα περισσοτερον αυτων παντων εκοπιασα ουκ εγω δε αλλ η χαρις του θεου η συν εμοι 15:11 ειτε ουν εγω ειτε εκεινοι ουτως κηρυσσομεν και ουτως επιστευσατε

15:12 ει δε χριστος κηρυσσεται οτι εκ νεκρων εγηγερται πως λεγουσιν τινες εν υμιν οτι αναστασις νεκρων ουκ εστιν 15:13 ει δε αναστασις νεκρων ουκ εστιν ουδε χριστος εγηγερται 15:14 ει δε χριστος ουκ εγηγερται κενον αρα το κηρυγμα ημων κενη δε και η πιστις υμων 15:15 ευρισκομεθα δε και ψευδομαρτυρες του θεου οτι εμαρτυρησαμεν κατα του θεου οτι ηγειρεν τον χριστον ον ουκ ηγειρεν ειπερ αρα νεκροι ουκ εγειρονται 15:16 ει γαρ νεκροι ουκ εγειρονται ουδε χριστος εγηγερται 15:17 ει δε χριστος ουκ εγηγερται ματαια η πιστις υμων ετι εστε εν ταις αμαρτιαις υμων  15:18 αρα και οι κοιμηθεντες εν χριστω απωλοντο 15:19 ει εν τη ζωη ταυτη ηλπικοτες εσμεν εν χριστω μονον ελεεινοτεροι παντων ανθρωπων εσμεν

15:20 νυνι δε χριστος εγηγερται εκ νεκρων απαρχη των κεκοιμημενων εγενετο 15:21 επειδη γαρ δι ανθρωπου ο θανατος και δι ανθρωπου αναστασις νεκρων 15:22 ωσπερ γαρ εν τω αδαμ παντες αποθνησκουσιν ουτως και εν τω χριστω παντες ζωοποιηθησονται 15:23 εκαστος δε εν τω ιδιω ταγματι απαρχη χριστος επειτα οι του χριστου εν τη παρουσια αυτου 15:24 ειτα το τελος οταν παραδω την βασιλειαν τω θεω και πατρι οταν καταργηση πασαν αρχην και πασαν εξουσιαν και δυναμιν 15:25 δει γαρ αυτον βασιλευειν αχρις ου αν θη παντας τους εχθρους υπο τους ποδας αυτου 15:26 εσχατος εχθρος καταργειται ο θανατος15:27 παντα γαρ υπεταξεν υπο τους ποδας αυτου οταν δε ειπη οτι παντα υποτετακται δηλον οτι εκτος του υποταξαντος αυτω τα παντα 15:28 οταν δε υποταγη αυτω τα παντα τοτε και αυτος ο υιος υποταγησεται τω υποταξαντι αυτω τα παντα ινα η ο θεος τα παντα εν πασιν

15:29 επει τι ποιησουσιν οι βαπτιζομενοι υπερ των νεκρων ει ολως νεκροι ουκ εγειρονται τι και βαπτιζονται υπερ των νεκρων

15:30 τι και ημεις κινδυνευομεν πασαν ωραν15:31 καθ ημεραν αποθνησκω νη την αβκαυχησιν ην εχω εν χριστω ιησου τω κυριω ημων 15:32 ει κατα ανθρωπον εθηριομαχησα εν εφεσω τι μοι το οφελος ει νεκροι ουκ εγειρονται φαγωμεν και πιωμεν αυριον γαρ αποθνησκομεν 15:33 μη πλανασθε φθειρουσιν ηθη χρηστα ομιλιαι κακαι 15:34 εκνηψατε δικαιως και μη αμαρτανετε αγνωσιαν γαρ θεου τινες εχουσιν προς εντροπην υμιν λεγω

Wendell Berry, “Canticle,” Collected Poems, p. 17

John Dominic Crossan, In Search of Paul, p. 341-345

37     John 12:24
38     Genesis 1:11-12
45      Genesis 2:7;  Psalm 104:30
51-52   1 Thessalonians 4:15-17
54      Isaiah 25:8
55      Hosea 13:14

42-46      Madeleine L’Engle, The Summer of the Great Grandmother, p. 128

42-43     Emily Dickenson, “XCIII,” Collected Poems, p. 366
45         John Donne, “Hymn to God my God in my Sicknesse,” Classics of Western Spirituality, p. 105

49      Irenaeus, The Holy Spirit, p. 41

51-57      John Donne, “Holy Sonnet #6,” Classics of Western Spirituality, p. 80

52    Flora Slosson Wuellner, “Blow the Great Trumpet for our Liberation,” Weavings (November/December 1997), p. 8

54-58    Robert F. Morneau, “The Mystery of Resurrection,” Gift Mystery Calling, p. 69-75
54-57     Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, The Divine Milieu, p. 82

35 But some one will ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?” 36 You foolish man! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.  37 And what you sow is not the body which is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.  38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.  39 For not all flesh is alike, but there is one kind for men, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.  40 There are celestial bodies and there are terrestrial bodies; but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another.  41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.

42 So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable, what is raised is 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 physical body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.  45 Thus it is written, “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.  46 But it is not the spiritual which is first but the physical, and then the spiritual.  47 The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.  48 As was the man of dust, so are those who are of the dust; and as is the man of heaven, so are those who are of heaven.  49 Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

50 I tell you this, brethren: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.  51 Lo! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.  53 For this perishable nature must put on the imperishable, and this mortal nature must put on immortality.  54 When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”  55 “O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

2:1 και εισηλθεν παλιν εις καπερναουμ δι ημερων και ηκουσθη οτι εις οικον εστιν

1        Romans 15:25-26
5        Acts 19:21
8-9    Acts 19:8-10
8        Leviticus 23:15-21; Deuteronomy 16:9-11
10      1 Corinthians 4:17
15      1 Corinthians 1:16
19      Acts 18:2

13-14      Ivan Steiger, Ivan Steiger Sees the Bible, p. 277
22           John Donne, Classics of Western Spirituality, p. 153-170

1 Now concerning the contribution for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.  2 On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that contributions need not be made when I come.  3 And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.  4 If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

5 I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, 6 and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may speed me on my journey, wherever I go.  7 For I do not want to see you now just in passing; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.  8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

10 When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.  11 So let no one despise him. Speed him on his way in peace, that he may return to me; for I am expecting him with the brethren.

12 As for our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brethren, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

13 Be watchful, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong.  14 Let all that you do be done in love.

15 Now, brethren, you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints; 16 I urge you to be subject to such men and to every fellow worker and laborer.  17 I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence; 18 for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men.

19 The churches of Asia send greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.  20 All the brethren send greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

21 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.  22 If any one has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!  23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.  24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

16:1 περι δε της λογιας της εις τους αγιους ωσπερ διεταξα ταις εκκλησιαις της γαλατιας ουτως και υμεις ποιησατε 16:2 κατα μιαν σαββατων εκαστος υμων παρ εαυτω τιθετω θησαυριζων ο τι αν ευοδωται ινα μη οταν ελθω τοτε λογιαι γινωνται 16:3 οταν δε παραγενωμαι ους εαν δοκιμασητε δι επιστολων τουτους πεμψω απενεγκειν την χαριν υμων εις ιερουσαλημ 16:4 εαν δε η αξιον του καμε πορευεσθαι συν εμοι πορευσονται

16:5 ελευσομαι δε προς υμας οταν μακεδονιαν διελθω μακεδονιαν γαρ διερχομαι 16:6 προς υμας δε τυχον παραμενω η και παραχειμασω ινα υμεις με προπεμψητε ου εαν πορευωμαι 16:7 ου θελω γαρ υμας αρτι εν παροδω ιδειν ελπιζω δε χρονον τινα επιμειναι προς υμας εαν ο κυριος επιτρεπη 16:8 επιμενω δε εν εφεσω εως της πεντηκοστης 16:9 θυρα γαρ μοι ανεωγεν μεγαλη και ενεργης και αντικειμενοι πολλοι

16:10 εαν δε ελθη τιμοθεος βλεπετε ινα αφοβως γενηται προς υμας το γαρ εργον κυριου εργαζεται ως και εγω 16:11 μη τις ουν αυτον εξουθενηση προπεμψατε δε αυτον εν ειρηνη ινα ελθη προς με εκδεχομαι γαρ αυτον μετα των αδελφων

16:12 περι δε απολλω του αδελφου πολλα παρεκαλεσα αυτον ινα ελθη προς υμας μετα των αδελφων και παντως ουκ ην θελημα ινα νυν ελθη ελευσεται δε οταν ευκαιρηση

16:13 γρηγορειτε στηκετε εν τη πιστει ανδριζεσθε κραταιουσθε  16:14 παντα υμων εν αγαπη γινεσθω

16:15 παρακαλω δε υμας αδελφοι οιδατε την οικιαν στεφανα οτι εστιν απαρχη της αχαιας και εις διακονιαν τοις αγιοις εταξαν εαυτους 16:16 ινα και υμεις υποτασσησθε τοις τοιουτοις και παντι τω συνεργουντι και κοπιωντι 16:17 χαιρω δε επι τη παρουσια στεφανα και φουρτουνατου και αχαικου οτι το υμων υστερημα ουτοι ανεπληρωσαν 16:18 ανεπαυσαν γαρ το εμον πνευμα και το υμων επιγινωσκετε ουν τους τοιουτους

16:19 ασπαζονται υμας αι εκκλησιαι της ασιας ασπαζονται υμας εν κυριω πολλα ακυλας και πρισκιλλα συν τη κατ οικον αυτων εκκλησια 16:20 ασπαζονται υμας οι αδελφοι παντες ασπασασθε αλληλους εν φιληματι αγιω

16:21 ο ασπασμος τη εμη χειρι παυλου 16:22 ει τις ου φιλει τον κυριον ιησουν χριστον ητω αναθεμα μαραν αθα 16:23 η χαρις του κυριου ιησου χριστου μεθ υμων 16:24 η αγαπη μου μετα παντων υμων εν χριστω ιησου αμην