1 Corinthians bible study chapters 9 through 16

 

            Here is the concluding part of the bible study to 1 Corinthians, including chapters 9 through 16. These chapters in this epistle speak on various subjects such as the Lord’s Supper (communion), the gifts of the spirit, and also have the love and resurrection of the dead chapters, and various other things that are every bit as relevant to us today as they were to the Corinthian church who are the subjects of this letter. Here is a link to the first 8 chapters of the Epistle to make it easy for you to do the whole book as a bible study:

https://www.facebook.com/notes/jay-dougherty/1-corinthians-bible-study-chapters-1-through-8/10200625576055414

In chapter 9 Paul asks the Corinthian church if they think it is too much of them to compensate him a bit for his apostleship using other examples of other professions and that Paul has become all things to the different people groups so that some may be saved

(1 Corinthians 9:1)  Am I not free? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Are not you my workmanship in the Lord?

 

(1 Corinthians 9:2)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:3)  This is my defense to those who would examine me.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:4)  Do we not have the right to eat and drink?

 

(1 Corinthians 9:5)  Do we not have the right to take along a believing wife, as do the other apostles and the brothers of the Lord and Cephas?

 

(1 Corinthians 9:6)  Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living?

 

(1 Corinthians 9:7)  Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Or who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?

 

(1 Corinthians 9:8)  Do I say these things on human authority? Does not the Law say the same?

 

(1 Corinthians 9:9)  For it is written in the Law of Moses, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain." Is it for oxen that God is concerned?

 

(1 Corinthians 9:10)  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 sharing in the crop.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:11)  If we have sown spiritual things among you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?

 

(1 Corinthians 9:12)  If others share this rightful claim on you, do not we even 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.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:13)  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?

 

(1 Corinthians 9:14)  In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:15)  But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:16)  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!

 

(1 Corinthians 9:17)  For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:18)  What then is my reward? That in my preaching I may present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:19)  For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:20)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:21)  To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:22)  To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:23)  I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:24)  Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:25)  Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:26)  So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

 

(1 Corinthians 9:27)  But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

 

Paul at first in chapter 10 speaks to the Jewish believers to warn then not to do as the ones under Moses did then speaks of enduring temptation as the Lord always gives a way out so it can be endured and fleeing from idolatry and while all is lawful the thing to do is to do things to please others and not oneself, as Paul tried to please others in all he did so some might be saved, so should be do the same things:

(1 Corinthians 10:1)  For I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea,

 

(1 Corinthians 10:2)  and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea,

 

(1 Corinthians 10:3)  and all ate the same spiritual food,

 

(1 Corinthians 10:4)  and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:5)  Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased, for they were overthrown in the wilderness.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:6)  Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:7)  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 play."

 

(1 Corinthians 10:8)  We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:9)  We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents,

 

(1 Corinthians 10:10)  nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:11)  Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:12)  Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:13)  No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:14)  Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:15)  I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:16)  The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?

 

(1 Corinthians 10:17)  Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:18)  Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar?

 

(1 Corinthians 10:19)  What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything?

 

(1 Corinthians 10:20)  No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:21)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:22)  Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

 

(1 Corinthians 10:23)  "All things are lawful," but not all things are helpful. "All things are lawful," but not all things build up.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:24)  Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:25)  Eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:26)  For "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof."

 

(1 Corinthians 10:27)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:28)  But if someone says to you, "This has been offered in sacrifice," then do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for the sake of conscience--

 

(1 Corinthians 10:29)  I do not mean your conscience, but his. For why should my liberty be determined by someone else's conscience?

 

(1 Corinthians 10:30)  If I partake with thankfulness, why am I denounced because of that for which I give thanks?

 

(1 Corinthians 10:31)  So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

 

(1 Corinthians 10:32)  Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,

 

(1 Corinthians 10:33)  just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

 

Chapter 11 Paul encourages the Corinthians to follow his example as he is from Christ, then he speaks about what is good and a disgrace about people’s hair lengths when they pray, and Paul goes on to soundly rebuke, correct the Corinthians on how they do communion on what they do wrong and what they ought to do also the consequences for their decisions

(1 Corinthians 11:1)  Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:2)  Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:3)  But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:4)  Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head,

 

(1 Corinthians 11:5)  but every wife who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head, since it is the same as if her head were shaven.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:6)  For if a wife will not cover her head, then she should cut her hair short. But since it is disgraceful for a wife to cut off her hair or shave her head, let her cover her head.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:7)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:8)  For man was not made from woman, but woman from man.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:9)  Neither was man created for woman, but woman for man.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:10)  That is why a wife ought to have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:11)  Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not independent of man nor man of woman;

 

(1 Corinthians 11:12)  for as woman was made from man, so man is now born of woman. And all things are from God.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:13)  Judge for yourselves: is it proper for a wife to pray to God with her head uncovered?

 

(1 Corinthians 11:14)  Does not nature itself teach you that if a man wears long hair it is a disgrace for him,

 

(1 Corinthians 11:15)  but if a woman has long hair, it is her glory? For her hair is given to her for a covering.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:16)  If anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such practice, nor do the churches of God.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:17)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:18)  For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part,

 

(1 Corinthians 11:19)  for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:20)  When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:21)  For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:22)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:23)  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,

 

(1 Corinthians 11:24)  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."

 

(1 Corinthians 11:25)  In the same way also he took 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."

 

(1 Corinthians 11:26)  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:27)  Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:28)  Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:29)  For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:30)  That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:31)  But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.

 

(1 rinthiansCo 11:32)  But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.

 

(1 Corinthians 11:33)  So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another--

 

(1 Corinthians 11:34)  if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home--so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come.

 

In chapter 12 Paul goes on to list the nine gifts of the spirit, telling what they are, then goes on to say that as we are all part of the body, and that not one of us is disposable and whatever happens to any one of us happens to all, be it good or bad, and we are to react accordingly. Paul finishes the chapter by stating while the gifts are important there yet is a better way

(1 Corinthians 12:1)  Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:2)  You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:3)  Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says "Jesus is accursed!" and no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except in the Holy Spirit.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:4)  Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;

 

(1 Corinthians 12:5)  and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord;

 

(1 Corinthians 12:6)  and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:7)  To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:8)  For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit,

 

(1 Corinthians 12:9)  to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,

 

(1 Corinthians 12:10)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:11)  All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:12)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians
12:13)  For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body--Jews or Greeks, slaves or free--and all were made to drink of one Spirit.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:14)  For the body does not consist of one member but of many.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:15)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:16)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:17)  If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell?

 

(1 Corinthians 12:18)  But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:19)  If all were a single member, where would the body be?

 

(1 Corinthians 12:20)  As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:21)  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."

 

(1 Corinthians 12:22)  On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,

 

(1 Corinthians 12:23)  and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty,

 

(1 Corinthians 12:24)  which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it,

 

(1 Corinthians 12:25)  that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:26)  If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:27)  Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:28)  And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues.

 

(1 Corinthians 12:29)  Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?

 

(1 Corinthians 12:30)  Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

 

(1 Corinthians 12:31)  But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

 

The last verse of chapter 12 is a perfect transition to the love chapter of the bible, which powerfully states that we are absolutely nothing without love, defines what love is and is not and lists all of the virtues of love, too

(1 Corinthians 13:1)  If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

 

(1 Corinthians 13:2)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 13:3)  If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

 

(1 Corinthians 13:4)  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant

 

(1 Corinthians 13:5)  or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;

 

(1 Corinthians 13:6)  it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

 

(1 Corinthians 13:7)  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

 

(1 Corinthians 13:8)  Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

 

(1 Corinthians 13:9)  For we know in part and we prophesy in part,

 

(1 Corinthians 13:10)  but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

 

(1 Corinthians 13:11)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 13:12)  For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

 

(1 Corinthians 13:13)  So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

 

Chapter 14 goes further into the gifts of the spirit, especially two of them, speaking in tongues and prophecy and how they apply in a church setting. Paul prefers prophecy over speaking in tongues as people in the churchcan understand prophecy and that tongues need interpretation for the church, for all things are to be done especially in church for the building up and edifying of others. Then Paul closes the chapter with some other guidelines for functioning in church

(1 Corinthians 14:1)  Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:2)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:3)  On the other hand, the one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:4)  The one who speaks in a tongue builds up himself, but the one who prophesies builds up the church.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:5)  Now I want you all to speak in tongues, but even more to prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues, unless someone interprets, so that the church may be built up.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:6)  Now, brothers, if I come to you speaking in tongues, how will I benefit you unless I bring you some revelation or knowledge or prophecy or teaching?

 

(1 Corinthians 14:7)  If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played?

 

(1 Corinthians 14:8)  And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?

 

(1 Corinthians 14:9)  So with yourselves, if with your tongue you utter speech that is not intelligible, how will anyone know what is said? For you will be speaking into the air.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:10)  There are doubtless many different languages in the world, and none is without meaning,

 

(1 Corinthians 14:11)  but if I do not know the meaning of the language, I will be a foreigner to the speaker and the speaker a foreigner to me.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:12)  So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit, strive to excel in building up the church.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:13)  Therefore, one who speaks in a tongue should pray for the power to interpret.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:14)  For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays but my mind is unfruitful.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:15)  What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:16)  Otherwise, if you give thanks with your spirit, how can anyone in the position of an outsider say "Amen" to your thanksgiving when he does not know what you are saying?

 

(1 Corinthians 14:17)  For you may be giving thanks well enough, but the other person is not being built up.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:18)  I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:19)  Nevertheless, in church I would rather speak five words with my mind in order to instruct others, than ten thousand words in a tongue.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:20)  Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:21)  In the Law it is written, "By people 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."

 

(1 Corinthians 14:22)  Thus tongues are a sign not for believers but for unbelievers, while prophecy is a sign not for unbelievers but for believers.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:23)  If, therefore, the whole church comes together and all speak in tongues, and outsiders or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are out of your minds?

 

(1 Corinthians 14:24)  But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or outsider enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all,

 

(1 Corinthians 14:25)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:26)  What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:27)  If any speak in a tongue, let there be only two or at most three, and each in turn, and let someone interpret.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:28)  But if there is no one to interpret, let each of them keep silent in church and speak to himself and to God.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:29)  Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others weigh what is said.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:30)  If a revelation is made to another sitting there, let the first be silent.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:31)  For you can all prophesy one by one, so that all may learn and all be encouraged,

 

(1 Corinthians 14:32)  and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:33)  For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,

 

(1 Corinthians 14:34)  the women should keep silent in the churches. For they are not permitted to speak, but should be in submission, as the Law also says.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:35)  If there is anything they desire to learn, let them ask their husbands at home. For it is shameful for a woman to speak in church.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:36)  Or was it from you that the word of God came? Or are you the only ones it has reached?

 

(1 Corinthians 14:37)  If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:38)  If anyone does not recognize this, he is not recognized.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:39)  So, my brothers, earnestly desire to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

 

(1 Corinthians 14:40)  But all things should be done decently and in order.

 

Chapter 15, which is the resurrection from the dead chapter goes into detail about how Jesus died for all mankind and then rose from the grave and who He appeared with after He had risen from the grave. It then goes on to say that if He had not risen our faith in Jesus would be totally in vain and those asleep in Christ would truly be perished and lost, but has He had indeed risen we all have hope in Jesus for He did indeed vanquish death when He rose from the grave and at the end of time the dead will rise and all will be changed, which speaks of the rapture

(1 Corinthians 15:1)  Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,

 

(1 Corinthians 15:2)  and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you--unless you believed in vain.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:3)  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

 

(1 Corinthians 15:4)  that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

 

(1 Corinthians 15:5)  and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:6)  Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:7)  Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:8)  Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:9)  For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:10)  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 that is with me.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:11)  Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:12)  Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?

 

(1 Corinthians 15:13)  But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:14)  And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:15)  We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:16)  For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:17)  And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:18)  Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:19)  If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:20)  But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:21)  For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:22)  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:23)  But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:24)  Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:25)  For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:26)  The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:27)  For "God has put all things in subjection under his feet." But when it says, "all things are put in subjection," it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:28)  When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:29)  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?

 

(1 Corinthians 15:30)  Why are we in danger every hour?

 

(1 Corinthians 15:31)  I protest, brothers, by my pride in you, which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die every day!

 

(1 Corinthians 15:32)  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."

 

(1 Corinthians 15:33)  Do not be deceived: "Bad company ruins good morals."

 

(1 Corinthians 15:34)  Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:35)  But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?"

 

(1 Corinthians 15:36)  You foolish person! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:37)  And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:38)  But God gives it a body as he has chosen, and to each kind of seed its own body.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:39)  For not all flesh is the same, but there is one kind for humans, another for animals, another for birds, and another for fish.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:40)  There are heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is of one kind, and the glory of the earthly is of another.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:41)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:42)  So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:43)  It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:44)  It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:45)  Thus it is written, "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:46)  But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:47)  The first man was from the earth, a man of dust; the second man is from heaven.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:48)  As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:49)  Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:50)  I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:51)  Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

 

(1 Corinthians 15:52)  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.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:53)  For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:54)  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."

 

(1 Corinthians 15:55)  "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"

 

(1 Corinthians 15:56)  The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.

 

(1 rinthians15:57)  But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

 

(1 Corinthians 15:58)  Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.

 

In chapter 16 Paul discusses his plans and ideas for ministry and then asks the church at Corinth to take up a collection for Jerusalem which will be picked up then Paul closes the epistle with various greetings and exhortation

(1 Corinthians 16:1)  Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:2)  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 there will be no collecting when I come.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:3)  And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:4)  If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:5)  I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia,

 

(1 Corinthians 16:6)  and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:7)  For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:8)  But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost,

 

(1 Corinthians 16:9)  for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:10)  When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:11)  So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:12)  Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to visit you with the other brothers, but it was not at all his will to come now. He will come when he has opportunity.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:13)  Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:14)  Let all that you do be done in love.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:15)  Now I urge you, brothers--you know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints--

 

(1 Corinthians 16:16)  be subject to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:17)  I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus, because they have made up for your absence,

 

(1 Corinthians 16:18)  for they refreshed my spirit as well as yours. Give recognition to such men.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:19)  The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Prisca, together with the church in their house, send you hearty greetings in the Lord.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:20)  All the brothers send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:21)  I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:22)  If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!

 

(1 Corinthians 16:23)  The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.

 

(1 Corinthians 16:24)  My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.

f you are interested and would like to continue on with a bible study of the second epistle to the Corinthians please go here I recommend it

https://www.facebook.com/notes/jay-dougherty/2-corinthians-epistle-bible-study/10200628256082413

 

This letter speaks of all the gifts and abilities that God has given each and every one of His believers and even more so that Jesus died for all of us and rose from the grave that we can have hope to be resurrected also or changed if the rapture should happen before we die, for indeed death has lost its sting over believers. It is easy to give your life over to Jesus, or even to repent and come back to Him, for He loves us so much that He went though all that torment so that we would accept Him into our hearts as our Lord and Savior. I am now adding a prayer to conclude this study so you can ask Jesus in your life or return to Him if you have drifted away. Please pray this with me:

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

God bless you and yours