1-corinthians 15:34
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
American King James Version (AKJV)
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
American Standard Version (ASV)
Awake to soberness righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak this to move you to shame.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
Be awake to righteousness and keep yourselves from sin; for some have no knowledge of God: I say this to put you to shame.
Webster's Revision
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
World English Bible
Wake up righteously, and don't sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.
English Revised Version (ERV)
Awake up righteously, and sin not; for some have no knowledge of God: I speak this to move you to shame.
Clarke's 1-corinthians 15:34 Bible Commentary
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.
Barnes's 1-corinthians 15:34 Bible Commentary
Awake to righteousness - See the note on Romans 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.
Wesley's 1-corinthians 15:34 Bible Commentary
15:34 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.