1 Corinthians 15:33-34 (WEL) 33 Do not be deceived; evil companionships corrupt good morals. 34 Awake to righteousness and don’t sin. Some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
V33 Do not be deceived; evil companionships corrupt good morals.
The Greek word for deceived is G4105 πλανάω planáō, which means (Strongs) “roam (from safety, truth, or virtue).” And (Baker Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words) “In the strict passive sense planaō means “be deceived, misled, deluded.” In the NT “being deceived” stems from a faulty understanding of God or of the conduct that God expects (e.g., 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 6:7; 2 Timothy 3:13), or from an inability to recognize the true Messiah (e.g., Luke 21:8).”
Reading and studying the Bible in its literal sense lessens the opportunity to be deceived. The Bible is the standard of all matters of truth, including who God is and why He is God, His character traits, worldview, kingship, rules, leadership characteristics, His blessings, His decisions, His punishments, and the path to salvation from His wrath.
This verse teaches that we can be corrupted by evil people. We must be careful about the friendships we have. If our best friends are evil, deceived, deceivers, heretics, etc., they will corrupt us. If they are godly friends, then they will help us and be a blessing as we can do for them.
We are to be salt, a blessing, and joy to others. See Matthew 5:13-16.
We are not to be influenced by evil. See 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
V34 Awake to righteousness and don’t sin. Some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.
The importance of being alert. We must know what is good and what is evil. We have the Bible to inform us. We are to avoid sin and strive to resist sin. With God’s help, we are able not to sin.
Joseph Benson: “Awake — An exclamation full of apostolical majesty. Shake off your lethargy! To righteousness — Evangelical and divine righteousness, flowing from the true knowledge of God, and implying that the whole soul be broad awake and watchful: the righteousness through which grace reigns unto eternal life, Rom 5:21; and sin not — That is, and you will not sin, for sin supposes sleepiness or drowsiness of soul. There is need to press this.”
Hodge: “Awake. The word properly means, to become sober, to arouse from a state of drunkenness or torpor. The call is to prompt exertion to shake off the delusion under which they were lying as to their security. To righteousness, literally, righteously, i.e. in a proper manner. ‘Awake rightly,’ or, as Luther renders it, Wake right up. And sin not, i.e. do not allow yourselves to be carried away into sin. This was the end to be answered by their vigilance.”
We learn:
- About a warning about being deceived.
- The importance of holiness.
Questions:
- Have you been deceived?
- Have you read and studied your Bible today?