likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. [1]
23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.
24 Brethren, let every man, in the state in which he is called, continue in it with God.
25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy from the Lord to be faithful.
26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. [2]
27 Art thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife? seek not a wife.
28 But if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have trouble in the flesh: but I spare you.
29 But this I say, brethren, the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none;
30 And they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not;
31 And they that use this world, as not abusing it : for the fashion of this world passeth away.
32 But I would have you without care. He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: [3]
33 But he that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife.
34 There is a difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband.
35 And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is seemly, and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction.
36 But if any man thinketh that he behaveth himself unseemly toward his virgin, if she hath passed the flower of her age, and need so requireth, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.
37 Nevertheless he that standeth steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virgin, doeth well.
38 So then he that giveth her in marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth better.
39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband is dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will; only in the Lord.
40 But she is happier if she so remain, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
CHAP. 8.
Now as concerning things offered to idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
2 And if any man thinketh that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.
3 But if any man loveth God, the same is known by him.
4 Therefore as concerning the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.
5 For though there are that are called gods, whether in heaven or upon earth, (as there are gods many, and lords many,)
6 Yet to us there is but one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. [4]
7 But there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol to this hour eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
8 But food commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. [5] [6]
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours should become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. [7]
10 For if any man shall see thee who hast knowledge sit eating in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; [8]
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Therefore, if food maketh my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to stumble.
CHAP. 9.
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are ye not my work in the Lord?
2 If I am not an apostle to others, yet doubtless I am to you: for ye are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
3 My answer to them that examine me is this,
4 Have we no right to eat and to drink?
5 Have we no right to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? [9]
