1 Corinthians 15:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

NIV: Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'

NASB: Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.'

CSB: Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."

NLT: Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for 'bad company corrupts good character.'

KJV: Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

NKJV: Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.”

This passage urges those in Corinth who deny Christian resurrection to accept what is true. Now Paul warns all of them not to be deceived by those who don't believe in the resurrection. He may be quoting a popular phrase of the day when he says "bad company ruins good morals." In so far as it's being used here, that's a sentiment Paul is endorsing. There are distinct, spiritual dangers to associating with those who are out of sync with God.

In chapter 5, Paul warned the Corinthians not to associate with other believers who practice various kinds of immorality (1 Corinthians 5:11). He echoes that instruction again here in the form of this proverb. Spending time with people who continually proclaim falsehood—including falsehood about the resurrection of believers—has a way of wearing down even the most faithful follower of Christ. The result of loosening one's grip on right belief inevitably leads to loosening one's moral convictions, as well. It might not result in wholesale apostasy, but it can be damaging.

First Corinthians 15:12–34 describes all the implications for Christians if there is no resurrection, at all. Most importantly, that would mean that Christ was not raised from the dead. If Christ was not raised, then Paul's preaching of the gospel was false, and the faith of those who believed it was worthless. All remain in their sins. Christ, though, was raised from the dead, and when He returns for those who are His, all who have died in Christ will be resurrected to new life, as He was after the crucifixion. Finally, Christ will reign on earth before delivering the kingdom to the Father.

Paul provides thorough teaching about the resurrection of Christians from the dead. This is a direct counter to some group of Corinthians who did not believe in such a resurrection. He shows that natural death is not the end of life for Christians; it is the last step before receiving a glorified, resurrected body like that of the risen Christ. That ''spiritual'' body will be as different from our current bodies as a star is from a fish. In that moment, for all who have believed in Christ, living and dead, death will be defeated for good.

In chapters 12, 13, and 14, Scripture focused on the concept of spiritual gifts and how best to use them. This follows several other ideas where Paul corrected errors in the Corinthians' thinking. Chapter 15 contains extensive teaching on one last issue about which some Corinthians were confused or misled. Apparently, they harbored some doubts about the physical resurrection of Christians from the dead. After clearing up these confusions, Paul will address various other items, of a less doctrinal nature, and close out his letter.

First Corinthians is one of the more practical books of the New Testament. Paul writes to a church immersed in a city associated with trade, but also with corruption and immorality. These believers are struggling to properly apply spiritual gifts and to resist the ungodly practices of the surrounding culture. Paul's letter gives instructions for real-life concerns such as marriage and spirituality. He also deals with the importance of unity and gives one of the Bible's more well-known descriptions of love in chapter 13.

Accessed 5/6/2024 5:52:25 AM