Clement of Alexandria · a new plain-English translation from the original language
But since those who introduce moral indifference force a few scriptures to plead the case of their own love of pleasure — among them, indeed, this one too: "sin will hold no mastery over you, since you stand not beneath law but beneath grace," and certain other such passages, which it is not reasonable to mention in connection with such conduct (for I am not fitting out a pirate ship) — come, let us cut short their undertaking in a few words. For the noble apostle himself, adding to the aforesaid saying, dissolves the charge: "What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under law but under grace? Let it not be!" Thus, inspired and prophetic as he is, he demolishes on the spot the sophistic art of pleasure.
They do not understand, it seems, that "we must all be made manifest before the judgment seat of Christ, that each may receive through the body the things he has done, whether good or bad," so that whatever a person has done through the body he may receive back. "So that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation," no longer given to sin; "the old things have passed away," we have washed away the old life; "behold, new things have come to be" — purity out of fornication, self-control out of incontinence, righteousness out of unrighteousness. "For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What agreement has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer together with an unbeliever? And what accord has the temple of God with idols?" "Having therefore these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."
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