The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 53: 1 Corinthians
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Unknown >> The Bible, Douay Rheims, Book 53: 1 Corinthians
7:35. And this I speak for your profit, not to cast a snare upon you,
but for that which is decent and which may give you power to attend upon
the Lord, without impediment.
7:36. But if any man think that he seemeth dishonoured with regard to
his virgin, for that she is above the age, and it must so be: let him do
what he will. He sinneth not if she marry.
Let him do what he will; he sinneth not, etc... The meaning is not, as
libertines would have it, that persons may do what they will and not
sin, provided they afterwards marry; but that the father, with regard to
the giving his virgin in marriage, may do as he pleaseth; and that it
will be no sin to him if she marry.
7:37. For he that hath determined, being steadfast in his heart, having
no necessity, but having power of his own will: and hath judged this in
his heart, to keep his virgin, doth well.
7:38. Therefore both he that giveth his virgin in marriage doth well:
and he that giveth her not doth better.
7:39. A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth: but if
her husband die, she is at liberty. Let her marry to whom she will: only
in the Lord.
7:40. But more blessed shall she be, if she so remain, according to my
counsel. And I think that I also have the spirit of God.
1 Corinthians Chapter 8
Though an idol be nothing, yet things offered up to idols are not to be
eaten, for fear of scandal.
8:1. Now concerning those things that are sacrificed to idols: we know
we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up: but charity edifieth.
Knowledge puffeth up, etc... Knowledge, without charity and humility,
serveth only to puff persons up.
8:2. And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he hath not yet
known as he ought to know.
8:3. But if any man love God, the same is known by him.
8:4. But as for the meats that are sacrificed to idols, we know that an
idol is nothing in the world and that there is no God but one.
8:5. For although there be that are called gods, either in heaven or on
earth (for there be gods many and lords many):
Gods many, etc... Reputed for such among the heathens.
8:6. Yet to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things,
and we unto him: and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and
we by him.
8:7. But there is not knowledge in every one. For some until this
present, with conscience of the idol, eat as a thing sacrificed to an
idol: and their conscience, being weak, is defiled.
8:8. But meat doth not commend us to God. For neither, if we eat, shall
we have the more: nor, if we eat not, shall we have the less.
8:9. But take heed lest perhaps this your liberty become a
stumblingblock to the weak.
8:10. For if a man see him that hath knowledge sit at meat in the idol's
temple, shall not his conscience, being weak, be emboldened to eat those
things which are sacrificed to idols?
8:11. And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom
Christ hath died?
8:12. Now when you sin thus against the brethren and wound their weak
conscience, you sin against Christ.
8:13. Wherefore, if meat scandalize my brother, I will never eat flesh,
lest I should scandalize my brother.
If meat scandalize... That is, if my eating cause my brother to sin.
1 Corinthians Chapter 9
The apostle did not make use of his power of being maintained at the
charges of those to whom he preached, that he might give no hindrance to
the gospel. Of running in the race and striving for the mastery.
9:1. Am I not I free? Am not I an apostle? Have not I seen Christ Jesus
our Lord? Are not you my work in the Lord?
9:2. And if unto others I be not an apostle, but yet to you I am. For
you are the seal of my apostleship in the Lord.
9:3. My defence with them that do examine me is this.
9:4. Have not we power to eat and to drink?
9:5. Have we not power to carry about a woman, a sister as well as the
rest of the apostles and the brethren of the Lord and Cephas?
A woman, a sister... Some erroneous translators have corrupted this text
by rendering it, a sister, a wife: whereas, it is certain, St. Paul had
no wife (chap. 7 ver. 7, 8) and that he only speaks of such devout
women, as, according to the custom of the Jewish nation, waited upon the
preachers of the gospel, and supplied them with necessaries.
9:6. Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to do this?
9:7. Who serveth as a soldier, at any time, at his own charges? Who
planteth a vineyard and eateth not of the fruit thereof? Who feedeth
the flock and eateth not of the milk of the flock?
9:8. Speak I these things according to man? Or doth not the law also
say; these things?
9:9. For it is written in the law of Moses: Thou shalt not muzzle the
mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
9:10. Or doth he say this indeed for our sakes? For these things are
written for our sakes: that he that plougheth, should plough in hope and
he that thrasheth, in hope to receive fruit.
9:11. If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great matter if
we reap your carnal things?
9:12. If others be partakers of this power over you, why not we rather?
Nevertheless, we have not used this power: but we bear all things, lest
we should give any hindrance to the gospel of Christ.
9:13. Know you not that they who work in the holy place eat the things
that are of the holy place; and they that serve the altar partake with
the altar?
9:14. So also the Lord ordained that they who preach the gospel should
live by the gospel.
9:15. But I have used none of these things. Neither have I written these
things, that they should be so done unto me: for it is good for me to
die rather than that any man should make my glory void.
9:16. For if I preach the gospel, it is no glory to me: for a necessity
lieth upon me. For woe is unto me if I preach not the gospel.
It is no glory... That is, I have nothing to glory of.
9:17. For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against
my will, a dispensation is committed to me.
9:18. What is my reward then? That preaching the gospel, I may deliver
the gospel without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
9:19. For whereas I was free as to all, I made myself the servant of
all, that I might gain the more.
9:20. And I became to the Jews a Jew, that I might gain the Jews:
9:22. To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak. I became
all things to all men, that I might save all.
9:23. And I do all things for the gospel's sake, that I may be made
partaker thereof.
9:24. Know you not that they that run in the race, all run indeed, but
one receiveth the prize. So run that you may obtain.
9:25. And every one that striveth for the mastery refraineth himself
from all things. And they indeed that they may receive a corruptible
crown: but we an incorruptible one.
9:26. I therefore so run, not as at an uncertainty: I so fight, not as
one beating the air.
9:27. But I chastise my body and bring it into subjection: lest perhaps,
when I have preached to others, I myself should become a castaway.
I chastise, etc... Here St. Paul shews the necessity of self-denial and
mortification, to subdue the flesh, and its inordinate desires.
1 Corinthians Chapter 10
By the example of the Israelites, he shews that we are not to build too
much upon favours received but to avoid their sins and fly from the
service of idols and from things offered to idols.
10:1. For I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that our fathers were
all under the cloud: and all passed through the sea.
10:2. And all in Moses were baptized, in the cloud and in the sea:
In Moses... Under the conduct of Moses, they received baptism in figure,
by passing under the cloud, and through the sea; and they partook of the
body and blood of Christ in figure, by eating of the manna, (called here
a spiritual food because it was a figure of the true bread which comes
down from heaven,) and drinking the water, miraculously brought out of
the rock, called here a spiritual rock, because it was also a figure of
Christ.
10:3. And did all eat the same spiritual food:
10:4. And all drank the same spiritual drink: (And they drank of the
spiritual rock that followed them: and the rock was Christ.)
10:5. But with most of them God was not well pleased: for they were
overthrown in the desert.
10:6. Now these things were done in a figure of us, that we should not
covet evil things, as they also coveted.
10:7. Neither become ye idolaters, as some of them, as it is written:
The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.
10:8. Neither let us commit fornication, as some of them that committed
fornication: and there fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
10:9. Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them tempted and perished
by the serpent.
10:10. Neither do you murmur, as some of them murmured and were
destroyed by the destroyer.
10:11. Now all these things happened to them in figure: and they are
written for our correction, upon whom the ends of the world are come.
The ends of the world... That is, the last ages.
10:12. Wherefore, he that thinketh himself to stand, let him take heed
lest he fall.
10:13. Let no temptation take hold on you, but such as is human. And
God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which
you are able: but will make also with temptation issue, that you may be
able to bear it.
Or... no temptation hath taken hold of you... or come upon you as yet,
but what is human, or incident to man. Issue... or a way to escape.
10:14. Wherefore, my dearly beloved, fly from the service of idols.
10:15. I speak as to wise men: judge ye yourselves what I say.
10:16. The chalice of benediction which we bless, is it not the
communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread which we break, is it
not the partaking of the body of the Lord?
Which we bless... Here the apostle puts them in mind of their partaking
of the body and blood of Christ in the sacred mysteries, and becoming
thereby one mystical body with Christ. From whence he infers, ver. 21,
that they who are made partakers with Christ, by the eucharistic
sacrifice and sacrament, must not be made partakers with devils by
eating of the meats sacrificed to them.
10:17. For we, being many, are one bread, one body: all that partake of
one bread.
One bread... or, as it may be rendered, agreeably both to the Latin and
Greek, because the bread is one, all we, being many, are one body, who
partake of that one bread. For it is by our communicating with Christ,
and with one another, in this blessed sacrament, that we are formed into
one mystical body; and made, as it were, one bread, compounded of many
grains of corn, closely united together.
10:18. Behold Israel according to the flesh. Are not they that eat of
the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
10:19. What then? Do I say that what is offered in sacrifice to idols is
any thing? Or that the idol is any thing?
10:20. But the things which the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to
devils and not to God. And I would not that you should be made partakers
with devils.
10:21. You cannot drink the chalice of the Lord and the chalice of
devils: you cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord and of the
table of devils.
10:22. Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he? All
things are lawful for me: but all things are not expedient.
10:23. All things are lawful for me: but all things do not edify.
10:24. Let no man seek his own, but that which is another's.
10:25. Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, eat: asking no question for
conscience' sake.
10:26. The earth is the Lord's and the fulness thereof.
10:27. If any of them that believe not, invite you, and you be willing
to go: eat of any thing that is set before you, asking no question for
conscience' sake.
10:28. But if any man say: This has been sacrificed to idols: do not eat
of it, for his sake that told it and for conscience' sake.
10:29. Conscience I say, not thy own, but the other's. For why is my
liberty judged by another man's conscience?
10:30. If I partake with thanksgiving, why am I evil spoken of for that
for which I give thanks?
10:31. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatsoever else you do,
do all to the glory of God.
10:32. Be without offence to the Jew, and to the Gentiles and to the
church of God:
10:33. As I also in all things please all men, not seeking that which is
profitable to myself but to many: that they may be saved.
1 Corinthians Chapter 11
Women must have a covering over their heads. He blameth the abuses of
their love feasts and upon that occasion treats of the Blessed
Sacrament.
11:1. Be ye followers of me, as I also am of Christ.
11:2. Now I praise you, brethren, that in all things you are mindful of
me and keep my ordinances as I have delivered them to you.
11:3. But I would have you know that the head of every man is Christ:
and the head of the woman is the man: and the head of Christ is God.
11:4. Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered disgraceth
his head.
11:5. But every woman praying or prophesying with her head not covered
disgraceth her head: for it is all one as if she were shaven.
11:6. For if a woman be not covered, let her be shorn. But if it be a
shame to a woman to be shorn or made bald, let her cover her head.
11:7. The man indeed ought not to cover his head: because he is the
image and glory of God. But the woman is the glory of the man.
11:8. For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man.
11:9. For the man was not created for the woman: but the woman for the
man.
11:10. Therefore ought the woman to have a power over her head, because
of the angels.
A power... that is, a veil or covering, as a sign that she is under the
power of her husband: and this, the apostle adds, because of the angels,
who are present in the assemblies of the faithful.
11:11. But yet neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman
without the man, in the Lord.
11:12. For as the woman is of the man, so also is the man by the woman:
but all things of God.
11:13. You yourselves judge. Doth it become a woman to pray unto God
uncovered?
11:14. Doth not even nature itself teach you that a man indeed, if he
nourish his hair, it is a shame unto him?
11:15. But if a woman nourish her hair, it is a glory to her; for her
hair is given to her for a covering.
11:16. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom,
nor the Church of God.
11:17. Now this I ordain: not praising you, that you come together, not
for the better, but for the worse.
11:18. For first of all I hear that when you come together in the
church, there are schisms among you. And in part I believe it.
11:19. For there must be also heresies: that they also, who are approved
may be made manifest among you.
There must be also heresies... By reason of the pride and perversity of
man's heart; not by God's will or appointment; who nevertheless draws
good out of this evil, manifesting, by that occasion, who are the good
and firm Christians, and making their faith more remarkable.
11:20. When you come therefore together into one place, it is not now to
eat the Lord's supper.
The Lord's supper... So the apostle here calls the charity feasts
observed by the primitive Christians; and reprehends the abuses of the
Corinthians, on these occasions; which were the more criminal, because
these feasts were accompanied with the celebrating of the eucharistic
sacrifice and sacrament.
11:21. For every one taketh before his own supper to eat. And one indeed
is hungry and another is drunk.
11:22. What, have you no houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye
the church of God and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say
to you? Do I praise you? In this I praise you not.
11:23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto
you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took
bread,
11:24. And giving thanks, broke and said: Take ye and eat: This is my
body, which shall be delivered for you. This do for the commemoration of
me.
11:25. In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying:
This chalice is the new testament in my blood. This do ye, as often as
you shall drink, for the commemoration of me.
11:26. For as often as you shall eat this bread and drink the chalice,
you shall shew the death of the Lord, until he come.
11:27. Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice
of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of
the Lord.
Or drink... Here erroneous translators corrupted the text, by putting
and drink (contrary to the original) instead of or drink.
Guilty of the body, etc., not discerning the body, etc... This
demonstrates the real presence of the body and blood of Christ, even to
the unworthy communicant; who otherwise could not be guilty of the body
and blood of Christ, or justly condemned for not discerning the Lord's
body.
11:28. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread and
drink of the chalice.
Drink of the chalice... This is not said by way of command, but by way
of allowance, viz., where and when it is agreeable to the practice and
discipline of the church.
11:29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh
judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord.
11:30. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you: and many
sleep.
11:31. But if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
11:32. But whilst we are judged, we are chastised by the Lord, that we
be not condemned with this world.
11:33. Wherefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for
one another.
11:34. If any man be hungry, let him eat at home; that you come not
together unto judgment. And the rest I will set in order, when I come.
1 Corinthians Chapter 12
Of the diversity of spiritual gifts. The members of the mystical body,
like those of the natural body, must mutually cherish one another.
12:1. Now concerning spiritual things, my brethren, I would not have you
ignorant.
12:2. You know that when you were heathens, you went to dumb idols,
according as you were led.
12:3. Wherefore, I give you to understand that no man, speaking by the
Spirit of God, saith Anathema to Jesus. And no man can say The Lord
Jesus, but by the Holy Ghost.
12:4. Now there are diversities of graces, but the same Spirit.
12:5. And there are diversities of ministries but the same Lord.
12:6. And there are diversities of operations, but the same God, who
worketh all in all.
12:7. And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man unto
profit.
12:8. To one indeed, by the Spirit, is given the word of wisdom: and to
another, the word of knowledge, according to the same Spirit:
12:9. To another, faith in the same spirit: to another, the grace of
healing in one Spirit:
12:10. To another the working of miracles: to another, prophecy: to
another, the discerning of spirits: to another, diverse kinds of
tongues: to another, interpretation of speeches.
12:11. But all these things, one and the same Spirit worketh, dividing
to every one according as he will.
12:12. For as the body is one and hath many members; and all the members
of the body, whereas they are many, yet are one body: So also is Christ.
12:13. For in one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether
Jews or Gentiles, whether bond or free: and in one Spirit we have all
been made to drink.
12:14. For the body also is not one member, but many.
12:15. If the foot should say: Because I am not the hand, I am not of
the body: Is it therefore not of the Body?
12:16. And if the ear should say: Because I am not the eye, I am not of
the body: Is it therefore not of the body?
12:17. If the whole body were the eye, where would be the hearing? If
the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?
12:18. But now God hath set the members, every one of them, in the body
as it hath pleased him.
12:19. And if they all were one member, where would be the body?
12:20. But now there are many members indeed, yet one body.
12:21. And the eye cannot say to the hand: I need not thy help. Nor
again the head to the feet: I have no need of you.
12:22. Yea, much, more those that seem to be the more feeble members of
the body are more necessary.
12:23. And such as we think to be the less houourable members of the
body, about these we put more abundant honour: and those that are our
uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
12:24. But our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body
together, giving to that which wanted the more abundant honour.
12:25. That there might be no schism in the body: but the members might
be mutually careful one for another.
12:26. And if one member suffer any thing, all the members suffer with
it: or if one member glory, all the members rejoice with it.
12:27. Now you are the body of Christ and members of member.
12:28. And God indeed hath set some in the church; first apostles,
secondly prophets, thirdly doctors: after that miracles: then the graces
of healings, helps, governments, kinds of tongues, interpretations of
speeches.
12:29. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all doctors?
12:30. Are all workers of miracles? Have all the grace of healing? Do
all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?
12:31. But be zealous for the better gifts. And I shew unto you yet a
more excellent way.
1 Corinthians Chapter 13
Charity is to be preferred before all gifts.
13:1. If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not
charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
13:2. And if I should have prophecy and should know all mysteries and
all knowledge, and if I should have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
13:3. And if I should distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I
should deliver my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth
me nothing.
13:4. Charity is patient, is kind: charity envieth not, dealeth not
perversely, is not puffed up,
13:5. Is not ambitious, seeketh not her own, is not provoked to anger,
thinketh no evil:
13:6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth with the truth:
13:7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things,
endureth all things.
13:8. Charity never falleth away: whether prophecies shall be made void
or tongues shall cease or knowledge shall be destroyed.
13:9. For we know in part: and we prophesy in part.
13:10. But when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part
shall be done away.
13:11. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child,
I thought as a child. But, when I became a man, I put away the things of
a child.
13:12. We see now through a glass in a dark manner: but then face to
face. Now I know in part: but then I shall know even as I am known.
13:13. And now there remain faith, hope, and charity, these three: but
the greatest of these is charity.
1 Corinthians Chapter 14
The gift of prophesying is to be preferred before that of speaking
strange tongues.
14:1. Follow after charity, be zealous for spiritual gifts; but rather
that you may prophesy.
Prophesy... That is, declare or expound the mysteries of faith.
14:2. For he that speaketh in a tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto
God: for no man heareth. Yet by the Spirit he speaketh mysteries.
Not unto men... Viz., so as to be heard, that is, so as to be understood
by them.
14:3. But he that prophesieth speaketh to men unto edification and
exhortation and comfort.
14:4. He that speaketh in a tongue edifieth himself: but he that
prophesieth, edifieth the church.
14:5. And I would have you all to speak with tongues, but rather to
prophesy. For greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with
tongues: unless perhaps he interpret, that the church may receive
edification.
14:6. But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what
shall I profit you, unless I speak to you either in revelation or in
knowledge or in prophecy or in doctrine?
14:7. Even things without life that give sound, whether pipe or harp,
except they give a distinction of sounds, how shall it be known what is
piped or harped?
14:8. For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare
himself to the battle?
14:9. So likewise you, except you utter by the tongue plain speech, how
shall it be known what is said? For you shall be speaking into the air.
14:10. There are, for example, so many kinds of tongues in this world:
and none is without voice.
14:11. If then I know not the power of the voice, I shall be to him to
whom I speak a barbarian: and he that speaketh a barbarian to me.
14:12. So you also, forasmuch as you are zealous of spirits, seek to
abound unto the edifying of the church.
Of spirits... Of spiritual gifts.
14:13. And therefore he that speaketh by a tongue, let him pray that he
may interpret.
14:14. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth: but my
understanding is without fruit.
