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Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:34 - King James
Verse |
Translation |
Text |
1Co 15:34 |
King James |
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
Awake--literally, "out of the sleep" of carnal intoxication into which ye are thrown by the influence of these skeptics (Co1 15:32; Joe 1:5).
to righteousness--in contrast with "sin" in this verse, and corrupt manners (Co1 15:33).
sin not--Do not give yourselves up to sinful pleasures. The Greek expresses a continued state of abstinence from sin. Thus, Paul implies that they who live in sinful pleasures readily persuade themselves of what they wish, namely, that there is to be no resurrection.
some--the same as in Co1 15:12.
have not the knowledge of God--and so know not His power in the resurrection (Mat 22:29). Stronger than "are ignorant of God." An habitual ignorance: wilful, in that they prefer to keep their sins, rather than part with them, in order to know God (compare Joh 7:17; Pe1 2:15).
to your shame--that you Corinthian Christians, who boast of your knowledge, should have among you, and maintain intercourse with, those so practically ignorant of God, as to deny the resurrection. |
Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
Awake to righteousness - See the note on Rom 13:11. The word here translated "awake" denotes, properly, to awake up from a deep sleep or torpor; and is usually applied to those who awake, or become sober after drunkenness. The phrase "to righteousness" (δικαίως dikaiōs) may mean either "rouse to the ways of righteousness; to a holy life; to sound doctrine," etc.; or it may mean "as it is right and just that you should do." Probably the latter is the correct idea, and then the sense will be, "Arouse from stupidity on this subject; awake from your conscious security; be alarmed, as it is right and proper that you should do, for you are surrounded by dangers, and by those who would lead you into error and vice; rouse from such wild and delusive opinions as these persons have, and exercise a constant vigilance as becomes those who are the friends of God and the expectants of a blessed resurrection."
And sin not - Do not err; do not depart from the truth and from holiness; do not embrace a doctrine which is not only erroneous, but the tendency of which is to lead into sin. It is implied here, that if they suffered themselves to embrace a doctrine which was a denial of the resurrection, the effect would be that they would fall into sin or that a denial of that doctrine led to a life of self-indulgence and transgression. This truth is everywhere seen and against this effect Paul sought to, guard them. He did not regard the denial of the doctrine of the resurrection as a harmless speculation, but as leading to most dangerous consequences in regard to their manner of life or their conduct.
For some have not - Some among you. You are surrounded by strangers to God; you have those among you who would lead you into error and sin.
I speak this to your shame - To your shame as a church; because you have had abundant opportunities to know the truth, and because it is a subject of deep disgrace that there are any in your bosom who deny the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, and who are strangers to the grace of God. |
The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917] |
sin
Sin
(See Scofield) - (Rom 3:23). |
Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
Awake (ἐκνήψατε)
Only here in the New Testament. It means to awake from a drunken stupor. Compare Joe 1:5, Sept. The kindred verb ἀνανήφω return to soberness (A.V. and Rev., recover), occurs at Ti2 2:26.
Have not the knowledge (ἀγνωσίαν ἔχουσιν)
Lit., have an ignorance. Stronger than ἀγνοεῖν to be ignorant. They have and hold it. For the form of expression, see on have sorrow, Joh 16:29. The word for ignorance is found only here and Pe1 2:15 (see note). |
Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
Awake - An exclamation full of apostolical majesty. Shake off your lethargy! To righteousness - Which flows from the true knowledge of God, and implies that your whole soul be broad awake. And sin not - That is, and ye will not sin Sin supposes drowsiness of soul. There is need to press this. For some among you have not the knowledge of God - With all their boasted knowledge, they are totally ignorant of what it most concerns them to know. I speak this to your shame - For nothing is more shameful, than sleepy ignorance of God, and of the word and works of God; in these especially, considering the advantages they had enjoyed. |
Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
Awake to righteousness - Shake off your slumber; awake fully, thoroughly, δικαιως, as ye ought to do: so the word should be rendered; not awake to righteousness. Be in earnest; do not trifle with God, your souls, and eternity.
Sin not - For this will lead to the destruction both of body and soul. Life is but a moment; improve it. Heaven has blessings without end.
Some have not the knowledge of God - The original is very emphatic: αγνωσιαν γαρ Θεου τινες εχουσι, some have an ignorance of God; they do not acknowledge God. They have what is their bane; and they have not what would be their happiness and glory. To have an ignorance of God - a sort of substantial darkness, that prevents the light of God from penetrating the soul, is a worse state than to be simply in the dark, or without the Divine knowledge. The apostle probably speaks of those who were once enlightened, had once good morals, but were corrupted by bad company. It was to their shame or reproach that they had left the good way, and were now posting down to the chambers of death. |
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead?
33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
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.
32 If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die.
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.
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:
29 His disciples said unto him, Lo, now speakest thou plainly, and speakest no proverb.
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
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.