1 Corinthians

To: God's church in Corinth and to all
On whom the name of Jesus call

From: Sosthenes, and in his scrawl
With grace and truth, Apostle Paul

You're rich in gifts, filled to the brim
Your strength from fellowship with Him

But are you fighting with your brother?
Have no division with each other

It doesn't matter who's your preacher
We all are following one Teacher

Our message, foolish to the lost
To praise a man killed on a cross

But man's intelligence turns sour
We know the cross shows God's true power

It pleases God for recompense
A way the world thinks don't make sense

The world's made knowledge deified
But God's wisdom was crucified

Did God choose you 'cause you were great?
More likely so there's no debate

When you succeed, don't be adored
Let glory belong to the Lord

I came in weakness, not with brains
So all your faith in God remains

We value wisdom, just not man's
The secret wisdom of God's plans

No eye has seen, no ear has heard
God's plans for those who love his Word

Revealed by God, we know because
We know because the Spirit does

It's not by senses we have learned
These things are spiritually discerned

But since there's jealousy and strife
It's clear the flesh still rules your life

God gave me seeds, told me to sow
But only God can make them grow

Once true foundation has been laid
Accepting Christ, your debts are paid

Then what you build, create, or birth -
The meaning of your life on earth

Your work pours from your heart's desire
And Judgment Day's refining fire

Reveals eternal quality
Or worldly, base frivolity

So if your work is for the Lord
You will receive a big reward

But if, when judged, your works combust
You will be saved, but only just

A servant, then, is duty-bound
And always must be faithful found

Our mission is not to indict
The Lord will bring the truth to light

As motive of each heart surveys
He'll give, as due, each soul his praise

What's pride but misattribution?
Praising man for God's contribution

You think that you know everything
Who went and died and made you king?

The world gives Christians no regard
God values what the world discards

You're proud? There's sin. Do you not know?
A little yeast works through the dough

Cast out immoral men and grieve
- I don't mean those who don't believe

But those inside the brotherhood
If they love sin, throw out for good

If Christian One takes Two to court
Does that our claim of peace support?

Don't let disputes become prolonged
Just do the right thing and be wronged

You once were wicked, but were washed
Make sure all sin in you is squashed

You're one with Jesus, therefore flee
All sexual immorality

God bought you, and at quite a price
Your body isn't meant for vice

It's good if you abstain from sex
And live for God in all respects

But if temptation seems too great
Let every person find their mate

So wife to husband, husband-wife
Share bodies like you share your life

No matter what your status is
God called you, now your life is his

The cares of life of most import
Keep God's commands - for life is short

Let's take a moment to speak of
What knowledge is compared to love

While knowledge puffs your chest way out
Love builds up someone filled with doubt

Example on which can be chewed
Is idol-designated food

You know that idols are not real
But what's a weaker person feel?

They may see you and think it odd
Unsure if you serve only God

Your knowledge knows that food is fine
But Love puts others first in line

Be careful exercising rights
Does not for others cause more plights

Now preachers have a right to pay
But blessed if they preach anyway

While athletes win a prize that rots
Eternal life with God does not

Know there are people God has saved
But does not like how they behaved

'Cause they love idols, booze, and sex
Complain about how God directs

From them you see what not to do
Look out for traps to fall into

Though tempted by the flesh's sway
Seek God and you can get away

Flee idols and avoid their feasts
Do not join demons with God's priests

We have such freedom, all is God's
All is permitted that him lauds

The question ain't "Is this allowed"
But "Is it loving?", as you've vowed

Keep customs of propriety
Keep union and sobriety

When you commune as one big church
Be earnest as your heart you search

The Spirit has not any rifts
There is one God, but many gifts

Like wisdom, knowledge, mighty deeds
Like prophesy, the faith one needs

Discerning spirits, healing pain
To speak in tongues, or to explain

The Spirit works as he decides
Through Christians in whom he abides

You're in the body, not in charge
Don't worry if your part is large

Each part has its own part to play
'Cause God arranged it that-a-way

What God has joined let no one split
Share pain and joy when you're close knit

Yet with all gifts from up above
You still gain nothing without love

Love is patient, love is kind
Your past mistakes it does not find

Love protects and perseveres
It trusts and hopes, with truth it cheers

Love does not seek itself the most
It does not envy, does not boast

Love never fails, is not provoked
It does not need its ego stroked

When all is known, we see the scope
These three remain: faith, love, and hope

To speak in tongues, to God you cry
But prophesy will edify

All sorts of tumult you must cease
For God brings order, God brings peace

Now don't lose sight of the main point
Just as foretold, God did anoint
The Christ to die and be revived
Appeared to hundreds now alive

If this were not true, we'd be toast
And Christians would be pitied most

This life, if that's it, one might think
Let's party now, just eat and drink

Don't be misled, bad company
Corrupts good character in thee

For as in Adam none survive
The risen Christ makes all alive

The physical is made from earth
And it has no immortal worth

To live forever we must wear
The clothes of heaven Christ prepared

Stand firm and never go astray
Work for the Lord will always pay

Collection for the saints who lead
Protection for the servant, heed

Stay strong, stand firm, and be on guard
Have courage, and love when it's hard

Devoted ministers are prized
Such servants should be recognized

All those who hate the Lord, dismiss
Believers greet with sacred kiss