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.
1 Corinthians 15:34 nkjv
Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
1 Corinthians 15:34 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.
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.
1 Corinthians 15:34 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.
1 Corinthians 15 34 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 6:9 | Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters... | Call to righteousness, warning |
| Rom 6:2 | By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live... | Dead to sin |
| Rom 6:11 | So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God... | Reckon yourselves dead to sin |
| Rom 6:12 | Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey... | Don't let sin reign |
| Rom 6:22 | But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves... | Free from sin, slaves to God |
| Gal 5:16 | But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires... | Walk by the Spirit |
| Gal 5:24 | And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh... | Crucified the flesh |
| Eph 4:17 | Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk... | No longer walk like Gentiles |
| Eph 4:22 | to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life... | Put off old self |
| Eph 4:23 | and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, | Renewed in spirit |
| Eph 4:24 | and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in... | Put on new self |
| Col 3:5 | Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality... | Put to death earthly things |
| Col 3:7 | In these you too once walked, when you lived among them. | Once walked in these things |
| Col 3:8 | But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice... | Put away anger, wrath, malice |
| Col 3:9 | Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old... | Put off old self, don't lie |
| Col 3:10 | and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge... | Put on new self, renewed |
| Col 3:12 | Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate... | Put on compassion, kindness, etc. |
| Heb 12:1 | Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses... | Lay aside sin |
| 1 Pet 4:2 | so as to live for the remaining time not by human passions but... | Live for God, not passions |
| 1 Pet 4:3 | The time that is left is enough for you to have lived the way the... | Enough time lived in past ways |
| 1 John 2:1 | My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may... | Don't sin |
| Acts 26:18 | to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light... | Turn from darkness to light |
| Matt 5:29 | If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away... | Radical approach to sin |
| Phil 1:6 | and I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will... | God's completion of work |
| Titus 2:11 | For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all... | Grace teaches us to deny ungodliness |
1 Corinthians 15 verses
1 Corinthians 15 34 Meaning
This verse strongly admonishes believers to cease from sin and live a life of righteousness. It emphasizes that their spiritual renewal is a result of their union with Christ and calls them to abandon their former unrighteous ways, as they are now identified with a resurrected and holy Savior. This is not merely a suggestion but a definitive imperative for those who have been truly regenerated.
1 Corinthians 15 34 Context
First Corinthians chapter 15 is a foundational chapter in the New Testament, exclusively dedicated to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and its implications for believers. Paul systematically demolishes the false teachings that denied the resurrection or the resurrection of believers. He demonstrates that without the resurrection, Christianity is meaningless and faith is in vain. This verse, coming after the extensive defense and explanation of the resurrection and the future resurrection of believers, serves as a powerful exhortation stemming directly from the truth of the resurrection. It calls believers to live lives consistent with their resurrected status and future hope, a hope anchored in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 15 34 Word Analysis
Awake (Gk. exipnizate): From ex (out) and hypnos (sleep). Literally, to arouse from sleep, to wake up. Figuratively, to become alert, to be vigilant, or to recover one's senses.
Soberly (Gk. nephontes): From nepho (to be sober, watchful, abstinent, especially from wine). Implies clear-mindedness, self-control, and an absence of mental or spiritual intoxication or stupor.
Righteousness (Gk. dikaiosynen): The state of being right or just. In a Pauline context, it often refers to God's righteousness imparted to believers, and consequently, the righteous conduct that flows from this imparted righteousness.
Sin (Gk. hamartias): Literally, to miss the mark. Refers to falling short of God's standard, transgression of His law, or a state of rebellion against God.
Cease (Gk. pauesphas): To stop, to discontinue, to rest from. In this context, it's an imperative to entirely discontinue practicing sin.
The contrast: The verse presents a sharp dichotomy: to wake up from spiritual slumber and practice righteousness versus continuing to sin.
The motivation: The implied motivation is the truth of the resurrection. Because Christ is risen, and believers are identified with Him in His resurrection, they ought to live a resurrected life, free from the dominion of sin.
The call to action: The language is strong, a command ("Awake ... soberly"), indicating that this is a necessary and active response of faith.
1 Corinthians 15 34 Bonus Section
The term "righteousness" (dikaiosynen) here encapsulates not only positional righteousness (being declared righteous by God) but also practical righteousness (living righteously). The resurrection assures both. The new life in Christ, empowered by the Holy Spirit, enables believers to pursue and practice righteousness, demonstrating their union with a sinless Savior. This echoes the Old Testament concept of God's people being set apart and called to holy living, as seen in passages like Leviticus. The transition from spiritual death and darkness to life and light in Christ, mentioned in Acts 26:18, directly underpins this exhortation.
1 Corinthians 15 34 Commentary
This verse acts as a vital practical outworking of the theological truths presented in chapter 15 concerning the resurrection. Paul insists that genuine belief in Christ's resurrection must translate into a transformed life. The spiritual apathy and indulgence in sin ("sleep" and being "drunk" with sin) are incompatible with the new life received in Christ. Believers are called to "wake up" from any spiritual dullness, to regain a sober and clear understanding of their new identity, and to actively cultivate a life of righteousness, abandoning the sinful practices they once engaged in. This is not about earning salvation, but about responding appropriately to the salvation already secured by Christ's resurrection and applied through the Spirit.
- Practical application: Examine your life. Are there areas where you have become spiritually sluggish or are tolerating sin? The call is to awaken to your identity in Christ and pursue holiness actively.
- Understanding the imperative: This is a command rooted in reality. Your new reality in Christ demands a new way of living.