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

1 CORINTHIANS 15:34KJV
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1 Corinthians 15:34 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 15:34 mean?

1 Corinthians 15:34 urges the readers to wake up and live rightly, avoiding sin, because some people around them do not truly know God, and this lack of knowledge is a source of shame for the community. Paul is calling the Corinthians to moral alertness and responsibility, highlighting that their behavior reflects on their understanding of God.

Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing confusion and wrong beliefs about resurrection and godly living. In this verse, Paul challenges the believers to stop tolerating sinful behavior and to recognize that some among them are ignorant of God, which should be embarrassing for a group claiming to follow Him. The verse is both a warning and a call to represent God faithfully in their actions and beliefs.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 15:34

  • ἐκνήψατε (eknēpsate, "Awake"): This word means to sober up or come to one's senses, often after being in a stupor. Paul is telling the Corinthians to snap out of spiritual carelessness.
  • δικαιοσύνη (dikaiosynē, "righteousness"): This word refers to living in a way that is just and in line with God's standards. Paul is not just talking about legal innocence but a life that reflects God's character.
  • ἀγνωσίαν (agnōsian, "knowledge"): This word means ignorance or lack of knowledge. Paul points out that some in the community are ignorant of God, not just lacking facts but missing a relationship or understanding of who God is.
  • ἐντροπὴν (entropēn, "shame"): This word means disgrace or something that should cause embarrassment. Paul uses strong language to show that the Corinthians should feel responsible for the spiritual ignorance among them.

Why 1 Corinthians 15:34 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that belief alone is enough; Paul insists that right belief must lead to right living, and that moral indifference is not acceptable for Christians.
  • Paul’s words connect the Corinthians’ behavior to their witness—if some do not know God, it reflects poorly on the whole group, showing how community life and individual choices are linked.
  • The verse fits into Paul’s larger argument about resurrection by showing that denying core truths about God leads to moral confusion, so clear teaching and godly living go hand in hand.

Where else these words appear

“knowledge” Greek G56 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Peter 2:15 For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men:

“shame” Greek G1791 · used in 2 verses

  • 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?

“righteousness” Greek G1346 · used in 5 verses

  • Luke 23:41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
  • 1 Thessalonians 2:10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
  • Titus 2:12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

“sin” Greek G264 · used in 37 verses

  • Matthew 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
  • Romans 2:12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
  • Titus 3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.