1 Corinthians 15:34

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 15:34, the Apostle Paul issues an urgent and direct command to the Corinthian believers, calling them to spiritual sobriety and righteous living, and to cease their sinful practices. He attributes their moral failings and doctrinal errors, particularly their denial of the resurrection, to a profound lack of true, transformative knowledge of God. Paul concludes with a sharp rebuke, expressing his disappointment and shame over their spiritual immaturity and the dishonor their conduct brings to the Christian faith.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse stands as a climactic exhortation within Paul's extensive and passionate defense of the resurrection of the dead in [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter"). Paul has systematically dismantled arguments against the resurrection, emphasizing its foundational importance to the gospel and Christian hope. He argues that if Christ was not raised, then the apostles' preaching is empty, the believers' faith is futile, and they are still in their sins ([1 Corinthians 15:14-17](/1_corinthians/15-14-17 "1 Corinthians 15:14-17 - The Futility of Faith Without Resurrection")). He even suggests that without resurrection, a hedonistic philosophy of "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die" becomes logical ([1 Corinthians 15:32](/1_corinthians/15-32 "1 Corinthians 15:32 - The Hedonistic Outlook")). Verse 34 serves as Paul's direct application of this theological truth to their practical lives, asserting that their denial of the resurrection has led to moral laxity and spiritual stupor, demanding an immediate course correction.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city known for its wealth, diverse population, and notorious immorality. Its culture was deeply influenced by Greek philosophy, which often held a low view of the physical body and, consequently, struggled with the concept of bodily resurrection. Some within the Corinthian church, likely influenced by these prevailing philosophical currents (e.g., Gnosticism or Epicureanism), were denying the resurrection of the dead. This denial was not merely an abstract theological disagreement but had practical implications for their ethical conduct, leading to a casual attitude toward sin. Paul's sharp words reflect his pastoral concern for a church grappling with internal divisions, moral compromises, and doctrinal errors in a challenging pagan environment.

* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several critical themes woven throughout [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians "1 Corinthians - Paul's First Letter to the Corinthians"). Foremost is the **indispensable link between sound doctrine and ethical living**. Paul demonstrates that denying a core truth like the resurrection inevitably leads to moral compromise. Another theme is the **danger of spiritual ignorance or apathy**, as the "lack of the knowledge of God" is presented as the root cause of their sinful behavior. This isn't 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. The verse also highlights **Paul's pastoral authority and his willingness to issue a strong rebuke** for the sake of the church's spiritual health and the glory of God. He calls them to **spiritual awakening and sobriety**, moving from a state of moral carelessness to one of vigilance and righteousness, echoing calls for spiritual alertness found elsewhere in his letters, such as in [Romans 13:11-14](/romans/13-11-14 "Romans 13:11-14 - Wake Up and Put on Christ").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Awake (Greek, _eknḗphō'_):** From the Greek G1594, meaning "to rouse (oneself) out of stupor." This verb implies a call to spiritual sobriety, moving from a state of drunkenness, sleep, or spiritual apathy to clear-mindedness and vigilance. It suggests that the Corinthians were in a state of moral and spiritual stupor, perhaps induced by false teachings or worldly influences, which prevented them from living righteously. Paul demands an immediate and decisive shift in their spiritual awareness.
* **Knowledge (Greek, _agnōsía'_):** From the Greek G56, meaning "ignorance (properly, the state); not the knowledge." This term refers to a profound lack of understanding or acquaintance with God. It's not merely intellectual ignorance, but a failure to truly apprehend God's character, power, and will in a transformative way. This spiritual deficiency is presented as the underlying cause of their sinful behavior and their denial of fundamental Christian doctrines, particularly the resurrection.
* **Shame (Greek, _entropḗ'_):** From the Greek G1791, meaning "confusion." Paul uses this word to express his deep disappointment and indignation. He is not merely correcting them but shaming them, intending to evoke a sense of dishonor and embarrassment for their spiritual immaturity, their doctrinal errors, and the resulting moral failings. It's a strong pastoral tactic designed to provoke repentance and a return to honorable conduct.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Awake to righteousness":** This is an imperative command, urging the Corinthians to rouse themselves from spiritual slumber or moral stupor. The call to "righteousness" implies a demand for right conduct and right standing with God, aligning their lives with divine standards. It is a direct counter to the casual attitude toward sin that had permeated parts of the community due to their doctrinal errors.
* **"and sin not":** A straightforward, absolute prohibition. This command directly addresses the practical moral failings stemming from their theological misconceptions. It underscores that true spiritual awakening must inevitably lead to a cessation of sinful practices and a commitment to holiness.
* **"for some have not the knowledge of God":** This clause provides the reason or explanation for their current state of unrighteousness and sin. Paul identifies a fundamental spiritual deficiency—a lack of genuine, transformative knowledge of God—as the root cause. This "knowledge" is not just intellectual assent but a deep, experiential understanding of God's nature, power (especially His power to raise the dead), and His moral expectations.
* **"I speak [this] to your shame":** This concluding phrase reveals Paul's emotional state and the severity of his rebuke. He is not merely informing them but actively shaming them. This is meant to highlight the dishonor they bring upon themselves and, more importantly, upon the name of Christ and the gospel, by their spiritual ignorance, doctrinal errors, and resulting immoral conduct. It serves as a powerful call to repentance and a restoration of their integrity.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent literary devices in this concise verse. The primary device is **Metaphor**, specifically in the phrase "Awake to righteousness." The Corinthians are depicted as being in a state of spiritual sleep or stupor, from which they need to "wake up" or "sober up." This vivid image conveys the urgency and the severity of their spiritual condition. The verse also utilizes **Imperative Mood** ("Awake," "sin not"), which creates a direct, forceful, and authoritative tone, emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of Paul's commands. Furthermore, Paul uses **Rhetorical Shame** in the concluding phrase "I speak [this] to your shame." This is a deliberate and strong rhetorical strategy designed to elicit a sense of dishonor and embarrassment, thereby motivating the Corinthians to change their behavior and align with the truth of the gospel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 15:34 profoundly connects the intellectual assent to doctrine with practical ethical living, asserting that a deficiency in the former inevitably leads to a failure in the latter. Paul's argument throughout [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter") is that the resurrection of Christ is not merely an abstract theological concept but the very foundation of Christian hope and the impetus for holy living. If there is no resurrection, then the Christian life loses its ultimate accountability and eternal perspective, making a "live for today" philosophy justifiable. Conversely, a robust belief in the resurrection—which implies God's power over death and His ultimate judgment—should compel believers to "awake to righteousness" and "sin not." The "lack of the knowledge of God" is presented as a spiritual blindness that prevents them from grasping these profound implications, leading to moral laxity. This highlights the critical importance of a deep, transformative understanding of God's character and truth for genuine spiritual vitality and ethical integrity.

* [Romans 13:11-14](/romans/13-11-14 "Romans 13:11-14 - Wake Up from Sleep")
* [Ephesians 5:14](/ephesians/5-14 "Ephesians 5:14 - Awake, O Sleeper")
* [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 15:34 serves as a timeless and piercing challenge for believers today, urging us to examine the profound connection between our theological convictions and our daily conduct. In an age where spiritual apathy and doctrinal indifference can be prevalent, Paul's words remind us that what we believe about God, eternity, and the gospel has direct and inescapable implications for how we live. Are we truly "awake" to the realities of God's kingdom, the power of the resurrection, and the call to holiness, or are we living in a state of spiritual slumber, allowing worldly influences or a shallow understanding of truth to dictate our choices? This verse compels us to pursue a deeper, transformative knowledge of God that not only informs our minds but also shapes our hearts and directs our actions, leading us away from sin and into a life that honors Christ and reflects His righteousness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually asleep or in a state of stupor, needing to "awake to righteousness"?**
* **How does my understanding (or lack thereof) of core Christian doctrines, such as the resurrection, impact my daily ethical choices and my fight against sin?**
* **What does it truly mean to have "the knowledge of God," and how can I deepen this knowledge experientially, beyond mere intellectual assent?**
* **Am I living in a way that brings honor or "shame" to the name of Christ and the gospel in the eyes of the world?**

### FAQ

**What does Paul mean by "Awake to righteousness"?**

Answer: By "Awake to righteousness," Paul is using a **metaphor** to call the Corinthian believers out of a state of spiritual slumber, moral apathy, or even a kind of spiritual intoxication. Just as one wakes from sleep or sobers up from drunkenness, they needed to rouse themselves to a clear-minded awareness of their spiritual responsibilities. This awakening was to lead them *to righteousness*, meaning to right conduct, right living, and right relationship with God, aligning their behavior with God's holy standards. It was a direct command to abandon their sinful ways and embrace a life of holiness, driven by a proper understanding of the gospel, particularly the resurrection of Christ.

**Why does Paul say "some have not the knowledge of God," and what kind of "knowledge" is he referring to?**

Answer: Paul attributes the Corinthians' sinful behavior and doctrinal errors to a profound "lack of the knowledge of God." This isn't just intellectual ignorance (e.g., not knowing facts about God), but a deeper, more transformative deficiency. The Greek word for "knowledge" here (agnōsía) implies a lack of intimate, experiential acquaintance or recognition of God's true character, power, and will. If they truly knew God—His power to raise the dead, His holiness, His justice, and His expectations for His people—they would not deny the resurrection or live in sin. This lack of genuine, transformative knowledge was preventing them from living out the implications of their faith, leading to moral decay and spiritual confusion. It highlights that true knowledge of God should lead to a changed life, as seen in passages like [Hosea 4:6](/hosea/4-6 "Hosea 4:6 - My People are Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge") which speaks of destruction due to a lack of knowledge.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 15:34 finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, particularly in His resurrection. Paul's entire argument in [1 Corinthians 15](/1_corinthians/15 "1 Corinthians 15 - The Resurrection Chapter") hinges on the reality of Christ's resurrection as the cornerstone of the gospel. It is because Christ was raised from the dead that believers are called to "awake to righteousness." His resurrection is the definitive proof of God's power over sin and death, providing the assurance of future resurrection for believers and, therefore, the ultimate motivation for holy living. The "knowledge of God" that the Corinthians lacked is fully and perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ, who is the "image of the invisible God" ([Colossians 1:15](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God")). To truly know God is to know Christ, for He is "the way, the truth, and the life" ([John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")). The shame Paul speaks of is the shame of living in a manner inconsistent with the glorious truth of Christ's victory and the new life He offers. Through Christ, believers are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live righteously, having been "raised with Christ" to "walk in newness of life" ([Romans 6:4](/romans/6-4 "Romans 6:4 - Newness of Life in Christ")). Thus, the call to awaken and sin not is a call to live in light of Christ's transforming power and His glorious resurrection, which is the very foundation of our hope and our call to holiness.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

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.