¹⁷ In the past ·sin controlled you [^Lyou were slaves to sin]. But thank God, you ·fully obeyed [^Lobeyed from the heart] the ·things [accepted/orthodox teaching; ^Lexample/pattern of teaching] ·that you were taught [or that have claimed your allegiance; ^Lto which you were delivered/entrusted]. ¹⁸ You were set free from sin, and now you are slaves to ·goodness [righteousness]. ¹⁹ I use ·this example [or an analogy from everyday life; or an inadequate human illustration (like slavery)] because ·this is hard for you to understand [^Lof the limitations/weakness of your human nature/flesh]. In the past you offered ·the parts of your body [or yourselves; ^Lyour parts/members] to be slaves to ·sin [impurity; defilement] and ·evil [lawlessness; wickedness]; ·you lived only for evil [or …leading to even more lawlessness/wickedness]. In the same way now you must offer ·yourselves [^Lyour parts/members] to be slaves of ·goodness [righteousness]. ·Then you will live only for God [^L…leading to holiness/sanctification].