“Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’ 34 Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34).
In our text, the apostle Paul is talking with the Corinthians about a false idea some had espoused, that there was no resurrection from the dead (15:12). It was apparent that their views had some traction, as an entire chapter of the epistle is taken up in the refutation of the error, and the glory of the truth on the subject. In the midst of the discussion, our passage expresses Paul’s desire that the Corinthians stay away from those who would espouse the error.
The KJV translation, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners,” does not express the sentiment of Paul nearly as well. The Greek word homilia is defined by Vine — an association of people, those who are of the same company. So, “evil company” better describes the problem than “evil communications.” Interestingly, though, the communications of the company they were keeping was the primary problem. We will deal with this momentarily. Second, the Greek word ethos, translated “manners” in the KJV is defined by Strong as — morals, character. In other words, it does not cause one to become impolite, it leads to a degradation of morality.
So, Paul is warning of the dissolution of character that would come from listening to and fellowshipping these who denied the resurrection.
This is typical of doctrinal error. For example, the incipient form of Gnosticism that was troubling first century Christians led to immorality among those who advocated for it, as well as those who heeded them. Peter wrote, “For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage” (2 Peter 2:18-19). The same is true of the idolatry of the Gentiles, which led to “uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts” (Romans 1:24). Here, the idea of no resurrection would lead men to turn to worldliness as there would be no eternal consequence of disobedience to God.
There is a lesson for us today. When people advocate false doctrines regarding marriage and divorce, the inspiration of scripture, the fellowship of some sin, the Christian’s hope, the safety of the ignorant, etc., it all can lead men to disregard the required obedience to God. It can lead to the corruption of our habits. “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin!” (34).
