12Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13Which things also we speak, not in discourses framed by human wisdom, but taught by the Spirit of God; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are folly to him: and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15But the spiritual man discerneth indeed all things, though himself is discernible by no man. 16For who hath known the mind of the Lord? who will instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
[CHAP. III.]
AND I, brethren, have been unable to speak to you as unto spiritual men, but as to carnal, even as to babes in Christ. 2And I have given you milk to drink, and not meat: for hitherto ye have not been capable of it, yea, even to the present moment ye are not capable of it. 3For ye are still carnal: for since there are among you envy, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as other men? 4For when one saith, I am indeed of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but the ministers through whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to each of us? 6I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7So then neither is he that planteth any thing, nor he that watereth; but God who giveth the increase. 8Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: but every one shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. 9For we are God’s fellowlabourers: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
10According to the grace of God given unto me, as a skilful architect, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every one take heed how he buildeth upon it. 11For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus the Messiah. 12But if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, timbers, hay, stubble; 13every man’s work shall be made manifest: for that day shall declare it, for it shall be laid open by fire; and the fire shall prove every man’s work of what sort it is. 14If any man’s work which he hath built abide the trial, he shall receive a reward. 15If any man’s work be burnt up, he shall suffer loss: but himself shall be saved; yet so as through the fire.
16Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17If any man prophane the temple of God, him will God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
18Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you thinketh himself a wise man in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19For the wisdom of this world is folly in the sight of God. For it is written, “He entangleth the wise in their own craftiness[90].” 20And again[91], “The Lord knoweth the reasonings of the wise, that they are futile.” 21Wherefore let no man glory in men. For all things are your’s; 22whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all things are your’s; 23and ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.
[CHAP. IV.]
LET a man so account of us, as the under servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2Moreover it is expected of stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3But it is my least consideration that I should be judged by you, or by human opinion: yea I decide not respecting myself. 4For though I am not conscious to myself of any unfaithfulness, yet am I not thereby justified; but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5Wherefore judge nothing before the time until the Lord come, who also will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will manifest the counsels of men’s hearts; and then shall praise be given to each from God.
6But these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself, and Apollos for your sake; that in us ye might learn not to be attached, beyond what is written, lest one being for one minister, ye be puffed up with prejudice against another. 7For who distinguisheth thee? and what hast thou which thou hast not received? But if thou also hast received it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?