Humble Service in the Body of Christ

³ For by the grace given me^(A) I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

¹² Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them.

Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body.^(A)

¹⁸ Do not let anyone who delights in false humility^(A) and the worship of angels disqualify you.^(B) Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind.

Two Kinds of Wisdom

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it^(A) by their good life, by deeds^(B) done in the humility that comes from wisdom. ¹⁴ But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition^(C) in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.^{(D) 15} Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven^(E) but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.^{(F) 16} For where you have envy and selfish ambition,^(G) there you find disorder and every evil practice.

¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from heaven^(H) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,^(I) considerate, submissive, full of mercy^(J) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.^(K)

²³ Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility^(A) and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

¹⁸ Do not deceive yourselves. If any of you think you are wise^(A) by the standards of this age,^(B) you should become “fools” so that you may become wise.

¹² I fast^(A) twice a week and give a tenth^(B) of all I get.’