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1 Corinthians 15:33

1 Corinthians 15:33 in Multiple Translations

Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.

Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.

Do not be tricked by false words: evil company does damage to good behaviour.

Don't be fooled: “Bad company ruins good character.”

Be not deceiued: euill speakings corrupt good maners.

Be not led astray; evil communications corrupt good manners;

Don’t be deceived! “Evil companionships corrupt good morals.”

Be not deceived: Evil communications corrupt good manners.

Be not seduced: Evil communications corrupt good manners.

Do not let yourselves be deceived by those who say that God will not cause believers to live again {Do not let people who say that God will not cause believers to live again deceive you}. If you associate with evil people who say such things, they will ◄influence you to do evil things/destroy your good moral way of living►.

Listen, don’t let anyone trick you with that sort of talk. Remember that wise people say this, “Don’t have friends that do bad things, or they will get you to do bad things too.”

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Corinthians 15:33

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1 Corinthians 15:33 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
GRK μη πλανασθε φθειρουσιν ηθη χρηστα ομιλιαι κακαι
μη G3361 not Particle-N
πλανασθε planaō G4105 to lead astray Verb-PPM-2P
φθειρουσιν phtheirō G5351 to destroy Verb-PAI-3P
ηθη ēthos G2239 moral Noun-APN
χρηστα chrēstos G5543 good/kind Adj-APN
ομιλιαι homilia G3657 association Noun-NPF
κακαι kakos G2556 evil/harm: evil Adj-NPF
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Greek Word Reference — 1 Corinthians 15:33

μη G3361 "not" Particle-N
Not is a word used to show that something is not true or is not happening, like in phrases that say 'lest' or 'God forbid', as seen in various parts of the New Testament.
Definition: μή, subjective negative particle, used where the negation depends on a condition or hypothesis, expressed or understood, as distinct from οὐ, which denies absolutely. μή is used where one thinks a thing is not, as distinct from an absolute negation. As a general rule, οὐ negatives the indic, μή the other moods, incl, ptcp. [In LXX for אֵין ,אַיִן ,אַל ] __I. As a neg. adv., not; __1. with ref. to thought or opinion: Jhn.3:18, Tit.1:11, 2Pe.1:9. __2. In delib. questions, with subjc. (M, Pr., 185): Mrk.12:14, Rom.3:8. __3. In conditional and final sentences, after εἰ, ἐάν, ἄν, ἵνα, ὅπως: Mat.10:14, Mrk.6:11 12:19, Luk.9:5, Jhn.6:50, Rom.11:25, al. __4. C. inf. (see M, Pr., 234f., 239, 255), __(a) after verbs of saying, etc.: Mat.2:12 5:34, Mrk.12:18, Act.15:38, Rom.2:21, al.; __(b) with artic. inf.: after a prep., Mat.13:5, Mrk.4:5, Act.7:19, 1Co.10:6, al.; without a prep., Rom.14:13, 2Co.2:1, 13 1Th 4:6; __(with) in sentences expressing consequence, after ὥστε: Mat.8:28, Mrk.3:20, 1Co.1:7, 2Co.3:7, al. __5. C. ptcp. (see M, Pr., 231f., 239), in hypothetical references to persons of a certain character or description: Mat.10:28 12:30, Luk.6:49, Jhn.3:18, Rom.4:5, 1Co.7:38, 1Jn.3:10, al.; where the person or thing being definite, the denial is a matter of opinion: Jhn.6:64, 1Co.1:28 4:7, 18, 2Co.5:21, al.; where the ptcp. has a concessive, causal or conditional force, if, though, because not: Mat.18:25, Luk.2:45, Jhn.7:49, Act.9:26, Rom.2:14 5:13, 2Co.3:14, Gal.6:9, Ju 5; where the ptcp. has a descriptive force (being such as), not: Act.9:9, Rom.1:28, 1Co.10:33, Gal.4:8, Heb.12:27, al. __6. μή prohibitive, in indep. sentences, __(a) with subjc. praes., 1 of person(s) pl.: Gal.5:26 6:9, 1Th.5:6, 1Jn.3:18; __(b) with imperat. praes., usually where one is bidden to desist from what has already begun (cf. M, Pr., 122ff.): Mat.7:1, Mrk.5:36, Luk.6:30, Jhn.2:16 5:45, Act.10:15, Rom.11:18, Jas.2:1, Rev.5:5, al.; __(with) forbidding that which is still future: with imperat. aor., 3 of person(s), Mat.24:18, Mrk.13:15, Luk.17:31, al.; with subjc. aor., 2 of person(s), Mat.3:9 10:26, Mrk.5:7, Luk.6:29, Jhn.3:7, Rom.10:6, al.; __(d) with optative, in wishes: 2Ti.4:16 (LXX); μὴ γένοιτο (see M, Pr., 194; Bl., §66, 1), Luk.20:16, Rom.3:3, al.; μή τις, Mrk.13:5, al. __II. As a conj., __1. after verbs of fearing, caution, etc., that, lest, perhaps (M, Pr., 192f.): with subjc. praes., Heb.12:15; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:4, Mrk.13:5, Luk.21:8, Act.13:40, Gal.5:15, al.; ὅρα μή (see M, Pr., 124, 178), elliptically, Rev.19:10 22:9; with indic, fut. (M, Pr., l.with), Col.2:8. __2. in order that not: with subjc. aor., Mrk.13:36, 2Co.8:20 12:6. __III. Interrogative, in hesitant questions (M, Pr., 170), or where a negative answer is expected: Mat.7:9, 10, Mrk.2:19, Jhn.3:4, Rom.3:3 10:18, 19, 1Co.1:13, al.; μή τις, Luk.22:35, al.; before οὐ (Rom.10:17, al. in Pl.), expecting an affirm, ans.; οὐ μή, Luk.18:7, Jhn.18:11. __IV. οὐ μή as emphatic negation (cf. M, Pr., 188, 190ff.; Bl. §64, 5), not at all, by no means: with indic, fut., Mat.16:22, Jhn.6:35, Heb.10:17, al.; with subjc. aor., Mat.24:2, Mrk.13:2, Luk.6:37, Jhn.13:8, 1Co.8:13, al. (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 910 NT verses. KJV: any but (that), X forbear, + God forbid, + lack, lest, neither, never, no (X wise in), none, nor, (can-)not, nothing, that not, un(-taken), without See also: 1 Corinthians 1:7; 1 Peter 2:16; 1 Peter 1:8.
πλανασθε planaō G4105 "to lead astray" Verb-PPM-2P
To lead someone astray or cause them to wander from the truth, as seen in Matthew 24:4-5 where Jesus warns of false prophets. This can also mean to deceive or seduce someone.
Definition: πλανάω, -ῶ (πλάνη), [in LXX chiefly for תָּעָה ;] to cause to wander, lead astray. Pass., to go astray, wander: Mat.18:12-13 Heb.11:38, 1Pe.2:25 (cf. Isa.53:6). Metaphorical, to lead astray, deceive: with accusative of person(s), Mat.24:4-5, 11 24:24, Mrk.13:5-6, Jhn.7:12, 2Ti.3:13; 1Jn.1:8 Jn 2:26 Jn 3:7, Rev.2:20 12:9 13:14 19:20 20:3, 8 20:10; pass., to be led astray, to err: Mat.22:29, Mrk.12:24, 27, Luk.21:8, Jhn.7:47, 2Ti.3:13, Tit.3:3, Heb.5:2, 2Pe.2:15, Rev.18:23; τ. καρδίᾳ, Heb.3:10; ἀπὸ τ. ἀληθείας, Jas.5:19;μὴ πλανᾶσθε, 1Co.6:9 15:33, Gal.6:7. Jas.1:16 (cf. ἀπο-πλανάω).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 38 NT verses. KJV: go astray, deceive, err, seduce, wander, be out of the way See also: 1 Corinthians 6:9; Mark 13:5; 1 Peter 2:25.
φθειρουσιν phtheirō G5351 "to destroy" Verb-PAI-3P
To destroy or ruin something, like corrupting a person's morals or defiling a place, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:17 and 2 Corinthians 7:2.
Definition: φθείρω [in LXX chiefly for שָׁחַת hi., pi., also for חָבַל, etc. ;] to destroy, corrupt, spoil (on the varied usage and distinctive meaning of the word, see Mayor on 2Pe, App., 175 ff.): with accusative, 1Co.3:17 15:23, 2Co.7:2; before ἀπό, 2Co.11:3; ἐν, 2Pe.2:12, Ju 10, Rev.19:2; κατά, Eph.4:22 (cf. δια-, κατα-φθείρω).† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 6 NT verses. KJV: corrupt (self), defile, destroy See also: 1 Corinthians 3:17; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Jude 1:10.
ηθη ēthos G2239 "moral" Noun-APN
This word refers to moral habits or customs, like the way people behave. It appears in 1 Corinthians 15:33, where Paul talks about the influence of bad company.
Definition: ἦθος, -εος (-ους), τό [in LXX: Sir.20:26, 4Ma.1:29 4Mac 2:7 4Mac 2:21 4Mac 5:24 4Mac 13:27 * ;] __1 1, a haunt, abode. __2. = ἔθος, custom, manner: pl., 1Co.15:33.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 2 NT verses. KJV: manners See also: 1 Corinthians 15:33; Acts 26:3.
χρηστα chrēstos G5543 "good/kind" Adj-APN
This word means good or kind, describing something or someone that is useful and pleasant, like good food in Luke 5:39 or a kind person in Ephesians 4:32. It is about being morally good and gracious.
Definition: χρηστός, -ή, -όν (χράομαι), [in LXX chiefly for טוֹב (frequently of God: Psa.25:8, al.), also for יָקָר (Eze.27:22 28:13), יָשָׁר (Pro.2:21 א A) ;] serviceable, good; __(a) of things, good, pleasant: of food (as often in cl.), οἶνος, Luk.5:39; ζυγός, Mat.11:30 (EV, easy); in ethical sense, ἤθη, 1Co.15:33; __(b) of persons, good, kind, gracious: Eph.4:32; of God, Luk.6:35, 1Pe.2:3; τ. χρηστὸν (= ἡ χρηστότης) τοῦ θεοῦ, Rom.2:4. † (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 7 NT verses. KJV: better, easy, good(-ness), gracious, kind See also: 1 Corinthians 15:33; Luke 5:39; 1 Peter 2:3.
ομιλιαι homilia G3657 "association" Noun-NPF
This word describes a close relationship or association between people, like the kind of communication that happens between friends. It's used in 1 Corinthians 15:33 to talk about the importance of good company.
Definition: όμιλία, -ας, ή (όμιλος), [in LXX: Exo.21:10 (עוֹנָה), al. ;] company, association: 1Co.15:33.† (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 1 NT verses. KJV: communication See also: 1 Corinthians 15:33.
κακαι kakos G2556 "evil/harm: evil" Adj-NPF
This word means evil or worthless, describing something or someone as bad or depraved. It appears in Matthew 21:41 and Romans 13:3, contrasting with what is good. It is often translated as 'evil' or 'wicked'.
Definition: κακός, -ή, -όν [in LXX chiefly for רַע ;] __1. in general, opposite to ἀγαθός, καλός, in various senses, bad, mean, base, worthless (cl.). __2. In ethical sense, base, evil, wicked: of persons, Mat.21:41 24:48, Php.3:2, Rev.2:2; διαλογισμοί, Mrk.7:21; ὁμιλίαι, 1Co.15:33; ἐπιθυμία (Pro.12:12), Col.3:5; ἔργον, Rom.13:3; neut., κακόν, τὸ κ., evil: Jhn.18:23, Act.23:9, Rom.7:21 14:20 16:19, 1Co.13:5, Heb.5:14, 1Pe.3:10-11, 3Jn.11; pl., Rom.1:30, 1Co.10:6, 1Ti.6:10, Jas.1:13; κ. (τὸ, τὰ κ.) ποιεῖν (πράσσειν), Mat.27:23, Mrk.15:14, Luk.23:22, Jhn.18:30, Rom.3:8 7:19 13:4, 2Co.13:7, 1Pe.3:12; κατεργάζεσθαι, Rom.2:9; of wrongs inflicted, Act.9:13, Rom.12:17, 21 13:10, 1Th.5:15, 2Ti.4:14, 1Pe.3:9. __3. pernicious, harmful, evil: Luk.16:25, Act.16:28 28:5, Tit.1:12, Jas.3:8, Rev.16:2 (Cremer, 325, 741). † SYN.: see: (ἄθεσμος) (AS)
Usage: Occurs in 46 NT verses. KJV: bad, evil, harm, ill, noisome, wicked See also: 1 Corinthians 10:6; Luke 23:22; 1 Peter 3:9.

Study Notes — 1 Corinthians 15:33

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 Proverbs 13:20 He who walks with the wise will become wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.
2 Matthew 24:4 Jesus answered, “See to it that no one deceives you.
3 1 Corinthians 5:6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven works through the whole batch of dough?
4 Ephesians 5:6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience.
5 Galatians 6:7 Do not be deceived: God is not to be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return.
6 Proverbs 9:6 Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.”
7 2 Timothy 2:16–18 But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness, and the talk of such men will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have deviated from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already occurred, and they undermine the faith of some.
8 1 Corinthians 6:9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts,
9 Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible.
10 2 Peter 2:2 Many will follow in their depravity, and because of them the way of truth will be defamed.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Summary

This verse is a warning to us to be careful about the company we keep, because the people we surround ourselves with can either help or hurt our relationship with God. Bad company can lead us astray and corrupt our good character, as seen in Proverbs 22:24-25. On the other hand, good company can encourage and support us in our walk with God, as mentioned in Hebrews 10:24-25. By being mindful of the company we keep, we can avoid being deceived and instead promote good character in our own lives.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to be deceived in this context?

To be deceived means to be misled or led astray from the truth, as warned in Ephesians 4:14, and in this verse, it refers to the influence of bad company on our character, as also mentioned in Proverbs 22:24-25.

How can bad company corrupt good character?

Bad company can corrupt good character by introducing sinful habits, negative influences, and ungodly values, as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:33, and also warned against in Psalms 1:1 and 2 Corinthians 6:14.

What kind of company is considered 'bad' in this verse?

Bad company refers to people who engage in sinful behavior, promote ungodly values, or lead others away from the truth, as mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 3:6 and 1 Corinthians 5:9-11.

How can we avoid being deceived by bad company?

We can avoid being deceived by bad company by surrounding ourselves with godly influences, staying rooted in Scripture, and being mindful of the company we keep, as encouraged in Psalms 119:133 and 2 Timothy 2:22.

Reflection Questions

  1. What kind of relationships am I currently investing in, and are they helping or hindering my walk with God?
  2. How can I be more intentional about surrounding myself with godly influences and positive role models?
  3. In what ways have I seen bad company corrupt good character in my own life or in the lives of others?
  4. What steps can I take to protect myself from the negative influences of bad company, and to instead promote good character in my own life?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Corinthians 15:33

Be not deceived,.... By such as deny the doctrine of the resurrection, and by their reasonings about it; or by such libertines who go into the denial of it, and argue from thence in favour of their

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:33

Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Be not deceived - as though denial of the resurrection were a mere harmless speculation (1 Corinthians 6:9): nay, association with such

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not suffer yourselves to be abused with evil and corrupt discourses of those philosophers amongst whom you converse, who argue from innate principles of reason against articles of faith; though you may judge that they talk but for discourse sake, yet their communication or discourse is naught, and will influence men as to things of practice, and debauch men in their morals. It is a verse or saying taken out of, or at least found in, one of the pagan poets; but containing in it much truth.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:33

33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. Ver. 33. Evil communication] Evil words are not wind, as most imagine, but the devil’ s drivel, that leaves a foul stain upon the speaker, and often sets the like upon the hearer. Shun obscene borborology (filthy talk) (saith one) and unsavoury speeches; thou losest so much of thine honesty and piety as thou admittest evil into thy tongue.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:33

(33) Be not deceived.—The previous words are spoken with sarcasm. That is what you must come to if this life be all. The solemn thought then occurs to the Apostle that perhaps these words do only too truly describe the actual state of some of the Corinthians. They had become tainted by the bad moral atmosphere in which they lived and which was impregnated with the teaching of that false philosophy, “Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.” “Be not deceived,” he adds, solemnly; it is a fact, “Evil communications corrupt good manners.” This is a proverb, slightly modified in one word from a line in the Thais of Menander. It is impossible to say whether the Apostle was acquainted with the original line in the poem, or not; for in any case he would probably have quoted it in the form in which it was current amongst ordinary people. The force of the proverb is, that even evil words are dangerous. The constant repetition of an immoral maxim may lead to immoral life. Words that seem harmless, because they float lightly like thistledown, may bear in them a seed of evil which may take root and bring forth evil fruit.

Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:33

Verse 33. Be not deceived] Do not impose on yourselves, and permit not others to do it. Evil communications corrupt good manners.] There are many sayings like this among the Greek poets; but this of the apostle, and which according to the best MSS. makes an Iambic verse, is generally supposed to have been taken from Menander's lost comedy of Thais. Φθειρουσινηθηχρησθ' ὁμιλιαικακαι· Bad company good morals doth corrupt. There is a proverb much like this among the rabbins: תרי אורי יכישי ותר רטיכא אוקרן יכישי לרטיכא "There were two dry logs of wood, and one green log; but the dry logs burnt up the green log." There is no difficulty in this saying; he who frequents the company of bad or corrupt men will soon be as they are. He may be sound in the faith, and have the life and power of godliness, and at first frequent their company only for the sake of their pleasing conversation, or their literary accomplishments: and he may think his faith proof against their infidelity; but he will soon find, by means of their glozing speeches, his faith weakened; and when once he gets under the empire of doubt, unbelief will soon prevail; his bad company will corrupt his morals; and the two dry logs will soon burn up the green one. The same sentiment in nearly the same words is found in several of the Greek writers; AEschylus, Sept. Theb. ver. 605: Ενπαντιπραγειδ' εσθ' ὁμιλιαςκακηςκακιονουδεν· "In every matter there is nothing more deleterious than evil communication."---Diodorus Siculus, lib. xvi. cap. 54: Ταιςπονηραιςὁμιλιαιςδιεφθειρεταηθητωνανθρωπων· "With these evil communications he corrupted the morals of men." Ταυταμενοὑτωςισθι·κακοισιδεμηπροσομιλο Ανδρασιν, αλλ' αιειτωναγαθωνεχεο· Καιμετατοισινπινεκαιεσθιε, καιμετατοισιν Ἱζε, καιἁνδανετοις, ὡνμεγαληδυναμις. Εσθλωνμενγαραπ' εσθλαμαθησεαι·ηνδεκακοισι Συμμιχθῃς, απολειςκαιτονεοντανοον. Theogn. Sent., ver. 31-36. Know this: Thou must not keep company with the wicked, but converse always with good men. With such eat, drink, and associate. Please those who have the greatest virtue. From good men thou mayest learn good things; but if thou keep company with the wicked, thou wilt lose even the intelligence which thou now possessest.

Cambridge Bible on 1 Corinthians 15:33

33. evil communications corrupt good manners] This passage is taken from the Thais of Menander, and like Acts 17:28 and Titus 1:12, shews that St Paul was familiar with classical literature.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Corinthians 15:33

Be not deceived - By your false teachers, and by their smooth and plausible arguments. This is an exhortation. He had thus far been engaged in an argument on the subject.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Corinthians 15:33

33. Paul now flings out some words of warning against the demoralizing influence of the men who are among them insinuating the non-existence of any human future.

Sermons on 1 Corinthians 15:33

SermonDescription
Vance Havner The Best, Not the Good by Vance Havner In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of making choices in life between the bad, the good, and the best. He highlights the danger of settling for the good when we c
Keith Daniel (2008 Usa Tour) Singles Table Talk by Keith Daniel In this sermon, the preacher describes a journey up a cableway to a beautiful mountain, followed by a visit to a tea place and a boat ride around Seal Island. The preacher then men
Carter Conlon When Mercy Kills an Outstretched Hand by Carter Conlon In this sermon, the speaker discusses the danger of hirelings in the pulpit who avoid addressing sin in the lives of their congregation. He emphasizes that when God is not present,
Jim Cymbala Peace Stealers by Jim Cymbala In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of peace and how to guard it. He shares a personal experience of feeling unhappy and seeking a new direction in his life. Throu
Denny Kenaston (Godly Courtship) 05 Godly Courtship - Question & Answer by Denny Kenaston In this sermon, the speaker discusses George Mueller's four-point outline for discerning God's will. The first point is to listen to the Spirit of God in our own hearts. The second
Denny Kenaston The Father Is a Watchman - Part 1 by Denny Kenaston This sermon addresses the challenges faced by godly families in a world filled with various forms of entertainment, focusing on the negative impact of media like television, movies
Denny Kenaston The Dangers of the Christian Radio by Denny Kenaston The sermon transcript discusses the dangers of listening to Christian radio. The speaker urges listeners to put away the radio if they find themselves becoming hooked on it. He emp

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