Study Desk

I am saying this for your benefit, not to place a limitation on you, but so that without distraction you may give notable and constant service to the Lord.

But the man who is firm in his commitment, and is under no necessity but has control over his will, and has decided in his own mind to keep his own virgin, does well.

So then, the one who marries his own virgin does well, but the one who does not, does better.

A wife is bound as long as her husband is living. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes (only someone in the Lord).

But in my opinion, she will be happier if she remains as she is—and I think that I too have the Spirit of God!

With regard to food sacrificed to idols, we know that "we all have knowledge." Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

But if someone loves God, he is known by God.

With regard then to eating food sacrificed to idols, we know that "an idol in this world is nothing," and that "there is no God but one."

But this knowledge is not shared by all. And some, by being accustomed to idols in former times, eat this food as an idol sacrifice, and their conscience, because it is weak, is defiled.

But be careful that this liberty of yours does not become a hindrance to the weak.

If others receive this right from you, are we not more deserving? But we have not made use of this right. Instead we endure everything so that we may not be a hindrance to the gospel of Christ.

But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing these things so that something will be done for me. In fact, it would be better for me to die than—no one will deprive me of my reason for boasting!

For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward. But if I do it unwillingly, I am entrusted with a responsibility.

To those free from the law I became like one free from the law (though I am not free from God's law but under the law of Christ) to gain those free from the law.

Do you not know that all the runners in a stadium compete, but only one receives the prize? So run to win.

Each competitor must exercise self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.

But God was not pleased with most of them, for they were cut down in the wilderness.

No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others. And God is faithful: He will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear, but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.

"Everything is lawful," but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is lawful," but not everything builds others up.

Do not seek your own good, but the good of the other person.