¹⁸ What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.

⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for ^(A)he who is not against ^[a]us is on ^[b]our side.”

Jesus Forbids Sectarianism^(A)

^38 (B)Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”

³⁹ But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, ^(C)for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. ⁴⁰ For ^(D)he who is not against ^[a]us is on ^[b]our side.

¹¹ Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

¹⁴ and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.

¹⁵ Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: ^16 [a]The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; ¹⁷ but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.

¹⁵ What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. ^(A)I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing ^(B)with the understanding.

^9 (A)Whoever ^[a]transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. ¹⁰ If anyone comes to you and ^(B)does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; ¹¹ for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.

^40 (A)who devour widows’ houses, and ^[a]for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

¹³ “But ^(A)woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.