But if someone says to you, “This is from a sacrifice,” do not eat, because of the one who told you and because of conscience –

If the foot says, “Since I am not a hand, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that.

And if the ear says, “Since I am not an eye, I am not part of the body,” it does not lose its membership in the body because of that.

Now this is what I am saying, brothers and sisters: Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable.

Now when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then the saying that is written will happen, “Death has been swallowed up in victory.”

For the love of Christ controls us, since we have concluded this, that Christ died for all; therefore all have died.

Therefore we have been encouraged. And in addition to our own encouragement, we rejoiced even more at the joy of Titus, because all of you have refreshed his spirit.

So here is my opinion on this matter: It is to your advantage, since you made a good start last year both in your giving and your desire to give,

You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we.

Let such a person consider this: What we say by letters when we are absent, we also are in actions when we are present.

For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,

So I say this, and insist in the Lord, that you no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking.

For this reason, take up the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand your ground on the evil day, and having done everything, to stand.

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.

for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ.

And since I am sure of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for the sake of your progress and joy in the faith,

and by not being intimidated in any way by your opponents. This is a sign of their destruction, but of your salvation – a sign which is from God.

I sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are doing and that he may encourage your hearts.

For even when we were with you, we used to give you this command: “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat.”

realizing that law is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,