¹⁶ Therefore do not let what you know is good be spoken of as evil.^{(A) 17} For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking,^(B) but of righteousness, peace^(C) and joy in the Holy Spirit,^{(D) 18} because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval.^(E)

Correcting an Abuse of the Lord’s Supper^(A)

¹⁷ In the following directives I have no praise for you,^(B) for your meetings do more harm than good. ¹⁸ In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions^(C) among you, and to some extent I believe it. ¹⁹ No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.^(D)

¹⁰ Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people?^(A) If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

⁴ On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.^(A) We are not trying to please people^(B) but God, who tests our hearts.^(C)

¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.^(A)