1 Corinthians 15:34

1 Corinthians 15:34

ESV: Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.

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

NIV: Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God?I say this to your shame.

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

NLT: Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don't know God at all.

Meaning

1 Corinthians 15:34 is a sharp ethical command by Paul, immediately following his warning against "bad company." It calls believers to shake off spiritual slumber, which is often induced by false teaching, and live righteously. Paul emphasizes that the denial of the resurrection, and the associated "eat, drink, and be merry" attitude, indicates a profound lack of the true knowledge of God among some in the Corinthian church. His direct rebuke is intended to provoke shame and lead to repentance and a proper Christian walk, reflecting the glorious truth of Christ's resurrection and the coming resurrection of believers.

Cross References

Context

1 Corinthians 15 is the definitive chapter on the resurrection of the dead. Paul is addressing a critical theological error among some Corinthians who were denying the resurrection, possibly influenced by Greek philosophy that despised the body, or by a misunderstanding of spiritual versus physical existence.

The immediate preceding verse, 1 Corinthians 15:33, states, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals.'" This verse provides the bridge from theological error to ethical breakdown. The "bad company" refers to those teaching against the resurrection, whose false doctrine was leading to moral complacency and ungodly behavior. If there is no resurrection, no future judgment, then the practical implication, as expressed in verse 32, is "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die."

Verse 34, therefore, serves as Paul's urgent pastoral and prophetic warning. It's an ethical call directly derived from the theological truth he has been defending in the chapter. He urges them to "awake" from the spiritual stupor induced by this bad company and false teaching, to live righteously, and acknowledges that this error stems from a fundamental lack of saving knowledge of God, to their shame.

Word analysis

• Awake (ἐκνήψατε - eknēpsate): An aorist active imperative verb. It literally means "to sober up," "to become sober again," or "to return to one's senses" from a state of intoxication or sleep. In a spiritual sense, it denotes awakening from a state of moral lethargy, spiritual ignorance, or stupor caused by false teaching and ungodly influences. It is an urgent, decisive command for a definitive action.
• to righteousness (δικαίως - dikaiōs): An adverb, meaning "righteously," "justly," or "in a just manner." It modifies "Awake" (implicitly also "sin not"). The command is not just to "wake up," but to wake up in a way that results in righteous living. This implies a conduct that aligns with God's moral standards. It contrasts with the unrighteous behavior potentially encouraged by denying the resurrection.
• and sin not (καὶ μὴ ἁμαρτάνετε - kai mē hamartanete): A present active imperative with the negation mē. The present imperative in a prohibition typically means "stop an action already in progress" or "do not habitually continue this action." It is a direct command to cease unrighteous conduct, directly connected to the spiritual awakening. The denial of resurrection fostered an environment where habitual sin became tolerated or even justified.
• for some (γάρ τινες - gar tines): Gar is a causal conjunction, "for" or "because." Tines is an indefinite pronoun, "some," "certain ones." Paul gives the reason for their spiritual stupor and sin – because certain individuals (presumably within the Corinthian church or influencing it) lack knowledge of God. This specifies the source or condition causing the problem.
• have not (οὐκ ἔχουσιν - ouk echousin): Ouk is a strong negation, "not," or "not at all." Echousin is the present active indicative verb "they have." The phrase clearly states a present, definite lack.
• the knowledge of God (θεοῦ γνῶσιν - Theou gnōsin): Theou is "of God" (genitive case). Gnōsin (cognate to gnōsis) means "knowledge," "understanding." This isn't just intellectual information about God, but a personal, saving, and experiential acquaintance with God, often implying spiritual insight and discernment that leads to right conduct. A lack of such knowledge means they don't truly grasp who God is, His power (including resurrection), and His moral character.
• I speak this to your shame (πρὸς ἐντροπὴν ὑμῖν λέγω - pros entropēn hymin legō):
  • I speak (λέγω - legō): Present active indicative, "I am saying" or "I speak."
  • this (often implied in Greek syntax but houtos can be added): Refers to the entire preceding statement.
  • to your shame (πρὸς ἐντροπὴν ὑμῖν - pros entropēn hymin): Pros indicates purpose or result, "unto," "for." Entropēn (accusative of entropē) means "shame," "disgrace," "humiliation." Hymin is "to you" (dative of hymeis, plural). Paul uses strong, direct language. He intends for his words to cause the Corinthians to feel shame, with the goal of provoking repentance and change. This isn't merely to insult them but to lead them to self-reflection and correction, knowing that godly shame can lead to genuine repentance (2 Cor 7:10).

Commentary

1 Corinthians 15:34 is a pivot point, turning from the doctrinal defense of the resurrection to an urgent ethical appeal. Paul implores the Corinthian believers to "awake to righteousness" from their spiritual lethargy and stupor, which had been fostered by the corrosive influence of false teaching about the resurrection. The phrase "awake to righteousness" is not just about a one-time decision but a call to continuous, vigilant, and righteous living. Their spiritual sluggishness had translated into a moral failure – "and sin not." The present imperative suggests that sinning was an ongoing issue they needed to stop.

The foundation for this ethical decay is identified: "for some have not the knowledge of God." This isn't just a lack of factual information, but a deficiency in true, saving, experiential knowledge of God. Such a profound theological misapprehension naturally led to practical ungodliness; if there's no resurrection, no future accountability, then present conduct can seem inconsequential, mirroring the pagan attitude of "eat, drink, and be merry." Paul exposes the deep connection between sound doctrine and sound living. Error in theology invariably breeds error in ethics.

His concluding statement, "I speak this to your shame," is a powerful and intentionally pointed rebuke. Paul's aim is not merely to condemn but to produce godly grief and genuine repentance. He holds them accountable, indicating that a mature Christian community should know better and behave in a way that reflects their confession of Christ and belief in the resurrection. It is a pastoral act meant to restore them to truth and righteous living by prompting self-awareness and conviction.

Examples:

• A believer prioritizing worldly pleasure over spiritual discipline because they subconsciously doubt eternal rewards.
• A church tolerating sin among its members due to a diminished view of future judgment.
• A Christian becoming complacent in their faith, allowing secular influences to compromise their moral convictions, thus needing to "awake" from that slumber.

Bonus section

The intense rhetorical shift from reasoned theological argument (v. 1-32) and proverbial warning (v. 33) to the direct, personal admonition in v. 34 underscores the critical importance Paul places on the resurrection. For Paul, the resurrection of Christ and the promise of a future resurrection for believers is not just a theological fact, but the foundation for Christian ethics and a transformed life. To deny it is to undermine the very incentive for holy living.

Furthermore, Paul's willingness to "speak to your shame" demonstrates his apostolic authority and his deep concern for the spiritual health of the Corinthian church. He uses shame not as a means of condemnation, but as a potent catalyst for repentance and restoration, believing that conviction (even a painful one) can lead to positive change. This shows a balanced approach in his pastoral care: clear doctrinal instruction followed by strong ethical application and a willingness to confront sin directly. The verse highlights that true spiritual awakening inevitably leads to a separation from sin and a renewed pursuit of God's righteousness.

Explore 1 corinthians 15 images, wallpapers, art, audio, video, maps, infographics and timelines