¹⁷ For this reason I have sent to you^(A) Timothy,^(B) my son^(C) whom I love, who is faithful in the Lord. He will remind you of my way of life in Christ Jesus, which agrees with what I teach everywhere in every church.^(D)

Concerning Change of Status

¹⁷ Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.^(A) This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.^(B)

¹⁶ If anyone wants to be contentious about this, we have no other practice—nor do the churches of God.^(A)