1 Corinthians 15:33
Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Study Note
Study Note
The maxim 'evil communications corrupt good manners' (phtheirousin ethe chrestaa homiliai kakai) is a citation from the Greek poet Menander's comedy Thais — one of Paul's most explicit uses of non-biblical literature. Its placement in 1 Corinthians 15, immediately after addressing those who say 'there is no resurrection' (15:12), suggests that Paul is warning that association with resurrection-deniers will corrupt the community's own faith. The proverb illustrates that Paul regarded truth in non-Christian sources as legitimate for Christian instruction — an early instance of the 'spoiling the Egyptians' hermeneutic later theorized by Augustine. The surrounding injunction 'awake to righteousness and sin not' (15:34) makes the social-corruption warning an ethical call.
Other Translations
Be not deceived: Evil companionships corrupt good morals.
Be not led astray; evil communications corrupt good manners;
Do not be tricked by false words: evil company does damage to good behaviour.
Cross References
Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it …
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, …
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the …
And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that …