²⁷ No, I strike a blow to my body^(A) and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.^(B)

²⁵ Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown^(A) that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.^(B)

¹³ For if you live according to the flesh, you will die;^(A) but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body,^(B) you will live.^(C)

⁵ Put to death,^(A) therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:^(B) sexual immorality,^(C) impurity, lust, evil desires and greed,^(D) which is idolatry.^(E)

⁵ Examine yourselves^(A) to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.^(B) Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you^(C)—unless, of course, you fail the test? ⁶ And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.

Living Godly Lives in a Pagan Society

¹¹ Dear friends,^(A) I urge you, as foreigners and exiles,^(B) to abstain from sinful desires,^(C) which wage war against your soul.^(D)

¹³ Therefore, if what I eat causes my brother or sister to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause them to fall.^(A)

Sexual Immorality

¹² “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial.^(A) “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything. ¹³ You say, “Food for the stomach and the stomach for food, and God will destroy them both.”^(B) The body, however, is not meant for sexual immorality but for the Lord,^(C) and the Lord for the body.

⁴ Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; ⁵ in beatings, imprisonments^(A) and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger;^(B)