In this passage, Paul is warning the Corinthian believers about the dangers of associating with people who are not living according to God's standards. He quotes a popular saying of the time, "Evil companionships corrupt good morals," to emphasize the point that our relationships have a powerful influence on us.
Paul is urging the Corinthians to be careful about who they spend their time with, as those who do not know God can lead them astray. He warns them not to be deceived into thinking that they can associate with people who are living in sin without being affected by their behavior.
Paul then calls on the Corinthians to wake up and live righteously. He reminds them that as Christians, they have a responsibility to avoid sin and to live in a way that honors God. This is not just a matter of personal morality, but it also has a broader impact on those around them.
Finally, Paul makes a pointed statement about the Corinthians' lack of knowledge of God. He tells them that some people have no knowledge of God, and he says this to their shame. This is a strong rebuke, reminding the Corinthians that they are called to be followers of God, and that they should be striving to grow in their knowledge of him.
Overall, 1 Corinthians 15:33-34 is a call to be careful about the relationships we form and to be intentional about the influence we allow others to have on us. As Christians, we are called to live differently than those who do not know God, and we should be careful to avoid being led astray by those who do not share our values. We are also called to wake up and live righteously, recognizing that our behavior has an impact on those around us. Finally, this passage is a reminder that we should be actively seeking to grow in our knowledge of God, rather than being content with a superficial understanding of him.
1 Corinthians 15:33-34. Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.” Wake up righteously, and don’t sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.