1 Corinthians 5:8
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with the old bread, leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and of truth.
Therefore let us keep the feast
This phrase calls believers to a continuous celebration, not just a literal feast but a spiritual one. The Greek word for "keep the feast" is "ἑορτάζω" (heortazō), which implies a perpetual observance. Historically, this refers to the Passover, a time of deliverance and new beginnings for the Israelites. Paul is urging the Corinthian church to live in the reality of Christ's sacrifice, which the Passover foreshadowed. This is a call to live in the freedom and purity that Christ's death and resurrection provide.

not with the old leaven
"Leaven" in the Bible often symbolizes sin or corruption. The Greek word "ζύμη" (zymē) is used here, which in Jewish tradition, during Passover, was to be completely removed from the house. Paul uses this imagery to instruct the church to rid themselves of their old sinful ways, emphasizing a break from past behaviors and attitudes that are contrary to the new life in Christ.

nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness
Here, Paul specifies the types of "leaven" to be avoided. "Malice" (Greek: "κακία" - kakia) and "wickedness" (Greek: "πονηρία" - ponēria) represent attitudes and actions that are harmful and morally wrong. Historically, these terms would resonate with the Corinthian church, which struggled with internal conflicts and moral issues. Paul is urging them to cleanse themselves of these destructive elements, aligning their lives with the holiness that Christ's sacrifice demands.

but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth
"Unleavened bread" (Greek: "ἄζυμος" - azymos) symbolizes purity and absence of corruption. During Passover, unleavened bread was a reminder of the haste in which the Israelites left Egypt, but spiritually, it represents a life free from sin. "Sincerity" (Greek: "εἰλικρίνεια" - eilikrineia) and "truth" (Greek: "ἀλήθεια" - alētheia) are qualities that should characterize the believer's life. Paul contrasts these with malice and wickedness, calling the church to embody genuine and honest living. This reflects a life transformed by the Gospel, where actions and intentions align with God's truth.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth with guidance on Christian living and church discipline.

2. Church in Corinth
A diverse and often troubled early Christian community in the city of Corinth, known for its moral and spiritual challenges.

3. Passover Feast
The Jewish festival that Paul metaphorically refers to, emphasizing purity and sincerity in the Christian life.

4. Leaven
Symbolically used in Scripture to represent sin and corruption, which Paul warns against.

5. Unleavened Bread
Represents purity and truth, contrasting with the corrupting influence of leaven.
Teaching Points
Understanding Leaven and Unleavened Bread
Leaven represents sin and corruption. In our lives, we must be vigilant to remove sin and live in purity.

Living in Sincerity and Truth
As Christians, we are called to live authentically, with integrity and honesty, reflecting Christ's character.

The Importance of Spiritual Cleansing
Just as the Israelites cleansed their homes of leaven, we must regularly examine our hearts and lives for sin.

Community Impact of Sin
Sin, like leaven, can spread and affect the entire community. We must address sin within the church to maintain spiritual health.

Celebrating Our New Life in Christ
Our lives should be a continual celebration of the new life we have in Christ, marked by purity and truth.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the metaphor of leaven help us understand the nature of sin in our personal lives and within the church community?

2. In what ways can we "keep the feast" in our daily lives, ensuring that we live with sincerity and truth?

3. Reflect on a time when you had to remove "leaven" from your life. What steps did you take, and what was the outcome?

4. How can the church effectively address the spread of sin within its community while maintaining love and grace?

5. Compare the concept of leaven in 1 Corinthians 5:8 with its use in other parts of the Bible. How does this enhance your understanding of Paul's message to the Corinthians?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12
The original Passover instructions, where leaven is removed from homes, symbolizing the removal of sin.

Matthew 16:6-12
Jesus warns His disciples about the "leaven" of the Pharisees and Sadducees, referring to their corrupt teachings.

Galatians 5:9
Paul uses the metaphor of leaven to describe how a small amount of sin can affect the whole community.

Ephesians 4:22-24
Paul speaks about putting off the old self and putting on the new self, which aligns with the idea of sincerity and truth.
The Christian FestivalJ.R. Thomson 1 Corinthians 5:8
The Festal LifeAlexander Maclaren1 Corinthians 5:8
Absent in Body, But Present in SpiritProf. J. R. Thomson.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Christians Ought to be Solicitous About the Spiritual Condition of Others1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Church DisciplineJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Church not to be Judged by Her HypocritesC. H. Spurgeon.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Discipline in the Corinthian ChurchJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Ecclesiastical ExcommunicationF. W. Robertson, M. A.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Exclusion from Christian Fellowship Where Duly InflictedJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Gross ScandalsJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
That Wicked PersonS. Cox, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
The Deplorable and the Commendable in a ChurchJ. W. Burn.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
The Duty of the Church in Cases of Open ImmoralityJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
The Extreme Penalty of the ChurchJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
The Power of Excommunication Must be ExercisedJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
The Socially Immoral in ChurchesD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Want of Discipline in a ChurchJ. Lyth, DD.1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Little SinsJ. Armstrong, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:6-13
Little Sins -- Their InjuriousnessI. C. Booth, LL. D.1 Corinthians 5:6-13
Purging Out the LeavenC. H. Spurgeon.1 Corinthians 5:6-13
Sin a Malignant LeavenJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:6-13
Supplementary Views and ExplanationsC. Lipscomb 1 Corinthians 5:6-13
The Evil of Self-ComplacencyJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:6-13
The Leaven of Sin WorksJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:6-13
The Purification of the ChurchJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:6-13
The True Church a FeastD. Thomas, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:6-13
All Sin to be RemovedJ. B. Walker.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Christ Our PassoverJ. Waite 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8
Christ Our PassoverBp. Hall.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Christ Our PassoverBp. Andrewes.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Christ Our PassoverC. Hodge, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Christ Our PassoverC. H. Spurgeon.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Christ Our PassoverHom. Monthly1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Christ Our PassoverEssex Congregational Remembrancer1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Christ Our PassoverC. A. Bartol.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Christ Our Passover1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Christ Our Passover1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Christ's Sacrifice a Quickening Truth1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Keeping the Christian Feast of the UnleavenedR. Tuck 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8
LeavenProf. Godet.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Let Us Keep the FeastW. Hay Aitken, M. A.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Let Us Keep the FeastW. Craig.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Old Leaven to be PurgedBp. Huntington.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Our PassoverE. Hurndall 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8
Our PassoverA. Maclaren, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
Purging Out the Old LeavenW. Hay Aitken, M. A.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
SincerityJ. Evans, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The Celebration of the Lord's Supper a Christian DutySketches of Sermons1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The Christian FeastS. Davies, A. M.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The Christian Life a Paschal FeastH. Bremner 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8
The Christian PassoverW. Atherton.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The Christian PassoverJ. E. Hankinson, M. A.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The Christian PassoverA. Maclaren, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The EucharistJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The Feast of JoyJ. Vaughan, M. A.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The Leaven of Malice to be Purged1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The Obligation of Christians to Observe the Lord's SupperJ. R. Macduff, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The Old LeavenJ. Lyth, D. D.1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The Passover and the Lord's SupperD. Fraser 1 Corinthians 5:7, 8
People
Corinthians, Paul
Places
Corinth
Topics
Acts, Bread, Celebrate, Evil, Feast, Feelings, Festival, Free, Leaven, Malice, Mischievous, Sincerity, Thoughts, Transparent, Truth, Unleavened, Wherefore, Wickedness, Yeast
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 5:8

     1462   truth, in NT
     6147   deceit, practice
     7355   feasts and festivals, nature of
     8275   honesty
     8720   double-mindedness
     8828   spite

1 Corinthians 5:1-8

     4432   dough
     8703   antinomianism

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

     6026   sin, judgment on
     8466   reformation

1 Corinthians 5:6-8

     4530   unleavened bread

1 Corinthians 5:7-8

     5763   attitudes, positive to God
     7933   Lord's Supper
     8326   purity, moral and spiritual

Library
Easter Sunday
Text: First Corinthians 5, 6-8. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, even as ye are unleavened. For our passover also hath been sacrificed, even Christ: 8 wherefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. EXHORTATION TO WALK AS CHRISTIANS.[1] [Footnote 1: This and all the following sermons
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

March the Fifth the Tent and the Building
2 CORINTHIANS v. 1-9. At present we live in a tent--"the earthly house of this tabernacle." And often the tent is very rickety. There are rents through which the rain enters, and it trembles ominously in the great storm. Some tents are frail from the very beginning, half-rotten when they are put up, and they have no defence even against the breeze. But even the strongest tent becomes weather-worn and threadbare, and in the long run it "falls in a heap!" And what then? We shall exchange the frail
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

July the Twenty-Eighth all Things New!
2 CORINTHIANS v. 14-21. Here is a new constraint! "The love of Christ constraineth me." The love of Christ carries me along like a crowd. I am taken up in its mighty movement and swept along the appointed road! Or it arrests me, and makes me its willing prisoner. It lays a strong hand upon me, and I have no option but to go. A gracious "necessity is laid upon me." I must! And here is a new world. "Old things are passed away." The man who is the prisoner of the Lord's love will find himself
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Of the Nature of Regeneration, and Particularly of the Change it Produces in Men's Apprehensions.
2 COR. v. 17. 2 COR. v. 17. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold all things are become new. THE knowledge of our true state in religion, is at once a matter of so great importance, and so great difficulty that, in order to obtain it, it is necessary we should have line upon line and precept upon precept. The plain discourse, which you before heard, was intended to lead you into it; and I question not but I then said enough to convince many, that they were
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

Of the Nature of Regeneration, with Respect to the Change it Produces in Men's Affections, Resolutions, Labors, Enjoyments and Hopes.
2 Cor. v. 17. 2 Cor. v. 17. If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new. AMONG the various subjects, which exercise the thoughts and tongues of men, few are more talked of than Religion. But it is melancholy to think how little it is understood; and how much it is mistaken and misrepresented in the world. The text before us gives us a very instructive view of it: such a view, that I am sure, an experimental knowledge of its sense would
Philip Doddridge—Practical Discourses on Regeneration

The Festal Life
'Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven ... but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.'--1 COR. v. 8. There had been hideous immorality in the Corinthian Church. Paul had struck at it with heat and force, sternly commanding the exclusion of the sinner. He did so on the ground of the diabolical power of infection possessed by evil, and illustrated that by the very obvious metaphor of leaven, a morsel of which, as he says, 'will leaven the whole lump,' or, as we say, 'batch.'
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

Christ Our Passover
Israel was in Egypt, in extreme bondage; the severity of their slavery had continually increased till it was so oppressive that their incessant groans went up to heaven. God who avenges his own elect, though they cry day and night unto him, at last, determined that he would direct a fearful blow against Egypt's king and Egypt's nation, and deliver his own people. We can picture the anxieties and the anticipations of Israel, but we can scarcely sympathize with them, unless we as Christians have had
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 2: 1856

2 Corinthians v. 17, 18
Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new: and all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ. I have, from time to time, spoken of that foolish misuse of the Scriptures, by which any one opening the volume of the Bible at random, and taking the first words which he finds, straightway applies them either to himself or to his neighbour; and then boasts that he has the word of God on his side, and that whosoever differs from him, is disputing and despising
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

The Education of the World.
IN a world of mere phenomena, where all events are bound to one another by a rigid law of cause and effect, it is possible to imagine the course of a long period bringing all things at the end of it into exactly the same relations as they occupied at the beginning. We should, then, obviously have a succession of cycles rigidly similar to one another, both in events and in the sequence of them. The universe would eternally repeat the same changes in a fixed order of recurrence, though each cycle might
Frederick Temple—Essays and Reviews: The Education of the World

We are Ambassadors for Christ 2 Cor 5:20
We are ambassadors for CHRIST 2 Cor 5:20 Thy message, by the preacher, seal, And let thy pow'r be known; That every sinner here, may feel The word is not his own. Amongst the foremost of the throng Who dare thee to thy face, He in rebellion stood too long, And fought against thy grace. But grace prevailed, he mercy found, And now by thee is sent, To tell his fellow-rebels round, And call them to repent. In Jesus, God is reconciled, The worst may be forgiv'n; Come, and he'll own you as a child,
John Newton—Olney Hymns

The Second State of Prayer. Its Supernatural Character.
1. Having spoken of the toilsome efforts and of the strength required for watering the garden when we have to draw the water out of the well, let us now speak of the second manner of drawing the water, which the Lord of the vineyard has ordained; of the machine of wheel and buckets whereby the gardener may draw more water with less labour, and be able to take some rest without being continually at work. This, then, is what I am now going to describe; and I apply it to the prayer called the prayer
Teresa of Avila—The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus

How did the Church Arrive at a Second Authoritative Canon in Addition to the Old Testament?
From the standpoint of the Apostolic Epoch it would be perfectly intelligible if the Church, in regard to written authorities, had decided to be satisfied with the possession of the Old Testament. I need not trouble to prove this. We should, however, have been to a certain extent prepared if, as time went on, the Church had added some other writings to this book to which it held fast. Indeed, in the first century, even among the Jews, the Old Testament was not yet quite rigidly closed, its third
Adolf Harnack—The Origin of the New Testament

the Nature of this Oversight
Having showed you, What it is to take heed to ourselves, I am to show you, next, What it is to take heed to all the flock. It was first necessary to take into consideration, what we must be, and what we must do for our own souls, before we come to that which must be done for others: He cannot succeed in healing the wounds of others who is himself unhealed by reason of neglecting himself. He neither benefits his neighbors nor himself. He does not raise up others, but himself falls.' Yea, lest all
Richard Baxter—The Reformed Pastor

The Passover: an Expiation and a Feast, a Memorial and a Prophecy
'And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2. This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. 3. Speak ye unto all the congregation of Israel, saying, In the tenth day of this month they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to the house of their fathers, a lamb for an house: 4. And if the household be too little for the lamb, let him and his neighbour next unto his house take it according to the number of
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

On the Atonement.
"How that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures."-1 Cor. xv. 3. "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."-2 Cor. v. 21. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."-Rom. v. 8. "The Lord is well pleased for his Righteousness' sake: he will magnify the law and make it honorable."-Isa. xlii. 21. "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, through faith in his blood,
Charles G. Finney—Sermons on Gospel Themes

That He who is About to Communicate with Christ Ought to Prepare Himself with Great Diligence
The Voice of the Beloved I am the Lover of purity, and Giver of sanctity. I seek a pure heart, and there is the place of My rest. Prepare for Me the larger upper room furnished, and I will keep the Passover at thy house with my disciples.(1) If thou wilt that I come unto thee and abide with thee, purge out the old leaven,(2) and cleanse the habitation of thy heart. Shut out the whole world, and all the throng of sins; sit as a sparrow alone upon the house-top,(3) and think upon thy transgressions
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Sanctification
'For this is the will of God, even your sanctification.' I Thess 4:4. The word sanctification signifies to consecrate and set apart to a holy use: thus they are sanctified persons who are separated from the world, and set apart for God's service. Sanctification has a privative and a positive part. I. A privative part, which lies in the purging out of sin. Sin is compared to leaven, which sours; and to leprosy, which defiles. Sanctification purges out the old leaven.' I Cor 5:5. Though it takes not
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

He Division of the Land.
T The Jewish writers divide the whole world into "The land of Israel," and "Without the land": that is, the countries of the heathen. Both which phrases the book of the gospel owns: "The land of Israel," Matthew 2:20: and it calls the heathens, "those that are without," 1 Corinthians 5:13; 1 Timothy 3:7, &c. And sometimes the unbelieving Jews themselves, as Mark 4:11. They distinguish all the people of the world into "Israelites," and "the nations of the world." The book of the gospel owns that phrase
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Elucidations.
I. (Deadly Sins, cap. ix., p. 356.) To maintain a modern and wholly uncatholic system of Penitence, the schoolmen invented a technical scheme of sins mortal and sins venial, which must not be read into the Fathers, who had no such technicalities in mind. By "deadly sins" they meant all such as St. John recognizes (1 John v. 16-17) and none other; that is to say sins of surprise and infirmity, sins having in them no malice or wilful disobedience, such as an impatient word, or a momentary neglect of
Tertullian—The Five Books Against Marcion

How the Forward and the Faint-Hearted are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 9.) Differently to be admonished are the forward and the faint-hearted. For the former, presuming on themselves too much, disdain all others when reproved by them; but the latter, while too conscious of their own infirmity, for the most part fall into despondency. Those count all they do to be singularly eminent; these think what they do to be exceedingly despised, and so are broken down to despondency. Therefore the works of the forward are to be finely sifted by the reprover, that
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Sunday after Ascension Day
Text: First Peter 4, 7-11.[1] 7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore of sound mind, and be sober unto prayer: 8 above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves: for love covereth a multitude of sins: 9 using hospitality one to another without murmuring: 10 according as each hath received a gift, ministering it among yourselves, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God; 11 if any man speaketh, speaking as it were oracles of God; if any man ministereth, ministering
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

The Leaven.
"Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened."--MATT. xiii. 33. In the mustard-seed we saw the kingdom growing great by its inherent vitality; in the leaven we see it growing great by a contagious influence. There, the increase was attained by development from within; here, by acquisitions from without. It is not that there are two distinct ways in which the Gospel may gain complete
William Arnot—The Parables of Our Lord

Reprobation.
In discussing this subject I shall endeavor to show, I. What the true doctrine of reprobation is not. 1. It is not that the ultimate end of God in the creation of any was their damnation. Neither reason nor revelation confirms, but both contradict the assumption, that God has created or can create any being for the purpose of rendering him miserable as an ultimate end. God is love, or he is benevolent, and cannot therefore will the misery of any being as an ultimate end, or for its own sake. It is
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Justification.
Christ is represented in the gospel as sustaining to men three classes of relations. 1. Those which are purely governmental. 2. Those which are purely spiritual. 3. Those which unite both these. We shall at present consider him as Christ our justification. I shall show,-- I. What gospel justification is not. There is scarcely any question in theology that has been encumbered with more injurious and technical mysticism than that of justification. Justification is the pronouncing of one just. It may
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

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