³³Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” ³⁴Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

The inspired apostle Paul was not ashamed to use shaming as a motivational technique, this being the second time he does it (see 1 Cor. 6:5). The Corinthians should indeed be embarrassed by their behavior and thinking. Tracing the evolution of a word’s meaning can be a precarious thing, so we must not make too much of it, but we find it interesting that the word translated “shame” (entrope) was sometimes used in ancient Greek literature to mean a “recognition of special status, respect or regard” (BADG). If there is a connection in meanings, then shaming a person may have a tinge of false respect, a mocking of a person for doing the exact opposite of a respectable thing. That would in fact characterize the Corinthians, for they were exalting themselves, as was clear, for example, in chapter five where they were arrogant concerning their allowance for immorality in their midst (see 1 Cor. 5:1–2).

Probably referring to false teachers, Paul actually now quotes from a Greek writer, a saying in common use even today. In context, false teachers are the “bad company” and listening to their teachings will affect their moral choices. Thinking and morality are connected! Getting our theology right is not just an academic exercise, an intramural skirmish among Christians. Whom you hang out with, the authors you read, the online preaching you listen to, the conferences you attend—all affect you. Paul writes assertively and abruptly at this juncture: think clearly and quit doing things you know are wrong!  Stop it, he writes. The various English translations give us the sense of this admonition: “Wake up from your drunken stupor” (ESV), “Come back to your senses” (NIV), “Think carefully about what is right” (NLT), “Awake to righteousness” (NKJV). This is not a time for sloppy or careless theology!

Make sure you don’t miss the weight of this. The Corinthians are expending their mental energies on self-aggrandizement, debating the kind of food that is acceptable to eat, indulging their flesh without limit, abusing spiritual gifts to their own benefit, exalting their own mini-denominational groups within the church—all while nonbelievers around them “have no knowledge of God.” For the evangelist in Paul, this is the ultimate criticism of the Corinthians. Because of their internal problems, they have become paralyzed from carrying out the primary directive of the Lord Jesus Christ, to reach the world. Shameful!

Lord, I confess to my shame that my concern for doctrine among Christians often eclipses my sharing the most basic knowledge of God with non-Christians.