1 Corinthians 15:34

Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak [this] to your shame.

Awake {G1594} to righteousness {G1346}, and {G2532} sin {G264} not {G3361}; for {G1063} some {G5100} have {G2192} not the knowledge {G56} of God {G2316}: I speak {G3004} this to {G4314} your {G5213} shame {G1791}.

Come to your senses! Live righteously and stop sinning! There are some people who lack knowledge of God — I say this to your shame.

Sober up as you ought, and stop sinning; for some of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.

Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak this to move you to shame.

The Apostle Paul delivers a sharp rebuke and urgent call to spiritual sobriety in 1 Corinthians 15:34. This verse is a direct appeal for the Corinthian believers to align their conduct with the profound truths of the Christian faith, particularly the resurrection.

Context

This verse appears at the culmination of Paul's extensive argument in 1 Corinthians 15 concerning the crucial doctrine of the resurrection of the dead. Some in the Corinthian church were denying this fundamental truth, which had significant implications for their daily lives and moral conduct. Paul argues that if there is no resurrection, then Christian faith is futile (1 Corinthians 15:19), and a hedonistic philosophy like "Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die" (1 Corinthians 15:32) becomes justifiable. Verse 34 is Paul's strong counter-argument, urging them to abandon such dangerous thinking and its accompanying sinful behavior.

Key Themes

  • Spiritual Awakening and Righteous Living: The core command is to "Awake to righteousness." This implies a call to spiritual vigilance and a departure from a state of spiritual stupor or moral carelessness. True understanding of the gospel should lead to a life of holiness.
  • The Danger of Sin: Paul directly commands, "sin not." This highlights that false doctrine (like denying the resurrection) can lead to ungodly living and a disregard for God's moral standards.
  • Lack of God's Knowledge: The phrase "for some have not the knowledge of God" points to a profound spiritual deficiency. It's not merely intellectual ignorance but a failure to truly apprehend God's character, power, and promises, particularly His power to raise the dead and His expectation of holy living from His people. This lack of genuine, transformative knowledge is presented as the root cause of their sinful behavior and doctrinal error.
  • Paul's Rebuke and Shame: "I speak [this] to your shame" is a strong expression of Paul's disappointment and anger. He is shaming them for their spiritual immaturity, their doctrinal errors, and the resulting moral failings, especially given the spiritual privileges they had received. It's a call for them to recognize the dishonor they bring to Christ's name.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Awake to righteousness" comes from the Greek eknēpsate dikaiōs. The verb eknēpsate literally means "to sober up," or "to awake from drunkenness." This suggests that the Corinthians were in a state of spiritual intoxication or stupor, perhaps due to false teachings or worldly influences, which prevented them from living righteously. Paul is calling them to a state of spiritual sobriety and clear-mindedness, which should naturally result in righteous conduct.

The "knowledge of God" (Greek: gnōsin theou) here refers to more than just intellectual assent; it implies a deep, experiential, and transformative understanding of God's nature and will. Lacking this profound knowledge leads to spiritual and moral decay, as warned in Hosea 4:6, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

Practical Application

1 Corinthians 15:34 serves as a timeless warning and exhortation for believers today. It underscores the vital connection between sound doctrine and holy living. When fundamental truths about God and His plan (like the resurrection and Christ's return) are neglected or denied, it often leads to a casual approach to sin and a diminished sense of accountability. This verse challenges us to:

  • Be Spiritually Awake: To live with clear spiritual vision, avoiding spiritual slumber and worldly distractions, as also encouraged in Romans 13:11.
  • Pursue True Knowledge of God: To deeply know God through His Word and Spirit, allowing that knowledge to transform our lives and lead us to righteousness.
  • Live Consistently: To ensure that our beliefs are reflected in our actions, bringing honor to God's name rather than shame.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:5

    I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge between his brethren?

  • Joel 1:5

    Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth.

  • Hebrews 5:11

    Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

  • Hebrews 5:12

    For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

  • Romans 13:11

    ¶ And that, knowing the time, that now [it is] high time to awake out of sleep: for now [is] our salvation nearer than when we believed.

  • Ephesians 5:14

    Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

  • 1 Corinthians 8:7

    ¶ Howbeit [there is] not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat [it] as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
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