Study Desk

Otherwise what will they do who are being baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, then why are people baptized for them?^[f]

Why are we in danger every hour?

I affirm by the pride in you that I have in Christ Jesus our Lord: I die every day!^(am)

If I fought wild animals in Ephesus^(an) with only human hope,^[g] what good did that do me?^[h](ao) If the dead are not raised, Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. ^(ap)[i]

Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."^[j]

Come to your senses^[k](aq) and stop sinning, for some people are ignorant about God. I say this to your shame.^(ar)

But someone will say, "How are the dead raised? What kind of body will they have when they come?"

Foolish one! What you sow does not come to life^(as) unless it dies.

And as for what you sow—you are not sowing the future body, but only a seed,^[l] perhaps of wheat or another grain.

But God gives it a body as He wants,^(at) and to each of the seeds its own body.

Not all flesh^(au) is the same flesh; there is one flesh for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.

There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the splendor^(av) of the heavenly bodies is different from that of the earthly ones.

There is a splendor of the sun, another of the moon, and another of the stars; for one star differs from another star in splendor.

So it is with the resurrection of the dead: Sown in corruption, raised in incorruption;^(aw)

sown in dishonor,^(ax) raised in glory;^(ay) sown in weakness, raised in power;^(az)

sown a natural body, raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

So it is written: The first man Adam became a living being ;^(ba)[m] the last Adam^(bb) became a life-giving Spirit.

However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural, then the spiritual.

The first man was from the earth and made of dust;^(bc) the second man is^[n] from heaven.

Like the man made of dust, so are those who are made of dust; like the heavenly man, so are those who are heavenly.^(bd)

And just as we have borne the image^(be) of the man made of dust, we will also bear the image of the heavenly man.^(bf)

Brothers, I tell you this: Flesh^(bg) and blood^(bh) cannot inherit the kingdom of God, and corruption cannot inherit incorruption.

Listen! I am telling you a mystery: We will not all fall asleep, but we will all be changed,

in a moment, in the blink of an eye, at the last trumpet.^(bi) For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.

For this corruptible must be clothed^(bj) with incorruptibility,^(bk) and this mortal must be clothed with immortality.

When this corruptible is clothed with incorruptibility, and this mortal is clothed with immortality, then the saying that is written will take place: Death has been swallowed up ^(bl) in victory. ^(bm)[o]

Death, where is your victory? Death, where is your sting? ^(bn)[p]

Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin^(bo) is the law.^(bp)

But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory^(bq) through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord's work,^(br) knowing that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Now about the collection^(a) for the saints: You should do the same as I instructed the Galatian^(b) churches.

On the first day of the week,^[a](c) each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he prospers, so that no collections will need to be made when I come.^(d)

When I arrive, I will send with letters^(e) those you recommend to carry your gracious gift to Jerusalem.^(f)

If it is suitable for me to go as well, they can travel with me.

I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia^(g)—for I will be traveling through Macedonia—

and perhaps I will remain with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I go.

I don't want to see you now just in passing, for I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows.^(h)

But I will stay in Ephesus⁽ⁱ⁾ until Pentecost,^(j)

because a wide door^(k) for effective ministry has opened for me^[b]—yet many oppose me.

If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear from you, because he is doing the Lord's work,^(l) just as I am.

Therefore, no one should look down^(m) on him. Send him on his way in peace so he can come to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.^[c]

About our brother Apollos:⁽ⁿ⁾ I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. However, he will come when he has an opportunity.

Be alert, stand firm in the faith,^(o) act like a man, be strong.

Your every action must be done with love.^(p)

Brothers, you know the household of Stephanas: They are the firstfruits^(q) of Achaia^(r) and have devoted themselves to serving the saints. I urge you

also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them.

I am pleased to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus present, because these men have made up for your absence.

For they have refreshed my spirit^(s) and yours. Therefore recognize^(t) such people.

The churches of Asia^(u) greet you.^(v) Aquila and Priscilla^(w) greet you warmly in the Lord, along with the church that meets in their home.^(x)

All the brothers greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.^(y)

This greeting is in my own hand^[d](z)—Paul.

If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Marana tha that is, Lord, come!^[e]

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.^(aa)

My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.