Study Desk

of which the graceful have no need: but God has contrived the symmetry of the body, by bestowing an additional advantage where it seem'd to want it.

that there might be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same mutual concern for one another.

you are contesting about the superiority of your gifts: but I point out to you a more excellent way.

it does not countenance injustice, but smiles upon virtue;

Social affection will never fail: but as for prophecies, they shall be out of use; as for languages, they shall cease; as for knowledge, it shall vanish away.

but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is defective shall be laid aside.

when I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I reasoned as a child: but when I became a man, I laid aside my childish ways.

now we do but indirectly see the faint images of things; but then the objects themselves will be before our eyes; now I have a partial knowledge, but then shall I know, even as I myself am known.

and now faith, hope, social virtue, these three will all remain; but the most permanent of the three is social virtue.

Cultivate social virtue; then desire spiritual gifts, but chiefly that of explaining the prophetical writings.

for he that speaks in an unknown tongue, speaks not to men, but to God: for no man can understand the mysteries he delivers by the spirit.

but he that expounds, speaks to the edification, exhortation, and comfort of men.

he that speaks in an unknown tongue, edifies himself alone: but he that expounds, edifies the church.

I wish you all had the gift of languages, but rather that you expounded: for greater is he that expounds, than he that speaks unknown languages, except he interpret what he says, that the church may be edified by it.

But since there is emulation among you concerning spiritual gifts, seek to abound in the exercise of such gifts as tend most to the edification of the church.

for if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit indeed prays, but my meaning is of no benefit to others.

what then is to be done? why, I will pray by the spirit, but my prayer shall be intelligible: I will sing by the spirit, but my hymn shall be intelligible.

otherwise if you should give thanks by the spirit in an unknown tongue, the hearer cannot but appear unlearned upon this occasion; how then can he say Amen to thy thanksgiving? since he does not conceive what you say.

thy thanksgiving indeed is right, but the other is not all edified by it.

Brethren, be not childish in understanding: be as innocent as babes, but use your understanding like men.