1 Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame. I. A LAMENTABLE CONDITION. "Some have not the knowledge of God." II. A MERITED REPROOF. This is "shameful" with all the means of enlightenment around you, and implies the love of darkness. III. AN EARNEST CALL TO A BETTER LIFE. 1. Awake. Seek forgiveness. 2. Put away sin and follow after holiness. (J. Lyth, D.D.) I. OBSERVE THAT A STATE OF SIN IS HERE REPRESENTED BY SLEEP. 1. Unconcerned. 2. Unapprehensive of danger. II. OBSERVE THAT MAN, BEING CARELESS AND SECURE IN THE MIDST OF THE GREATEST DANGERS, HE IS CALLED UPON TO "AWAKE." This is an instance of the care and compassion of God. He calls us by His providences, His Holy Spirit, His Word, His ministers, etc. III. OBSERVE THAT WE ARE CALLED TO AWAKE TO RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND TO RENOUNCE SIN. 1. "Awake to righteousness." (1) To a sense of the necessity of righteousness. (2) To the practice and pursuit of righteousness. 2. "And sin not." (1) Sin not, in hope that there is no resurrection. (2) Sin not, in hope that there is no judgment. (3) Sin not, in hope that there is no state of future punishment. (4) Sin not, in hope of future repentance. (5) Sin no more. Why shouldst thou destroy thyself, and "stand in jeopardy every hour?" "The soul that sinneth shall die." "The wages of sin is death." IV. OBSERVE THE CHARGE ALLEGED AGAINST SOME OF THE CORINTHIANS. "Some have not the knowledge of God." May not the same thing be charged upon some of us? Do we know God, so as to fear Him, so as to be reconciled unto Him by Christ, so as to love Him, so as to serve Him with a perfect heart and willing mind? If not, then in the apostle's sense we do not know Him. "I speak this to your shame." It is our shame. Because we have so many means of knowing Him, so many reasons to know Him drawn from our wants, etc. (J. Walker, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.WEB: Wake up righteously, and don't sin, for some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame. |
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