What does 1 Corinthians 5:7 mean?

Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 1 Corinthians 5:7

Explanation

1 Corinthians 5:7 focuses on the metaphor of leaven (yeast) as a symbol of corruption and sin. In the context of the verse, Paul urges the Corinthian church to remove the “old leaven” from among them, which represents sinful behaviors and influences. The term “new lump” suggests a fresh start or a new beginning without the contamination of the past. The phrase “as ye are unleavened” indicates that the followers of Christ are called to live in purity and holiness. The second part of the verse, “For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us,” draws a parallel between the Jewish Passover lamb, which was sacrificed to commemorate the Israelites’ deliverance from Egypt, and Jesus Christ, who is seen as the ultimate Passover lamb, sacrificed to deliver humankind from the bondage of sin.

Historical Context

This verse is part of a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the Corinthian church in the middle of the first century A.D. The church in Corinth was a diverse community with various cultural and religious backgrounds, including Jewish and Gentile converts to Christianity. In the Jewish tradition, leaven (yeast) was removed from the home during the Passover in remembrance of the haste with which the Israelites left Egypt, as they did not have time to let their bread rise. Paul uses this familiar concept to address issues of morality within the Corinthian church.

Theological Insights

There is a spectrum of theological insights that can be drawn from this verse. Some understand the removal of the “old leaven” as the necessity for moral purity within the church. Others point to the theological significance of Christ as the fulfillment of the Old Testament Passover sacrifice. There is also the perspective of sanctification, where believers are called to live out their new identity in Christ freed from the bondage of sin, symbolized by the “unleavened” nature of their new life.

Practical Applications

Practically, this verse can be applied to personal and communal settings where self-reflection leads to the removal of harmful habits, behaviors, or influences (the “old leaven”) in one’s life. In a church or community, it suggests the importance of maintaining the health and purity of the body of believers by addressing and correcting misconduct.

Cross-References

• Exodus 12:15: “Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses…”
• 1 Peter 1:19: “But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”
• John 1:29: “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”

Language Study

The key words in the original Greek text are:

• “ζύμη” (zymē), meaning “leaven” or “yeast,” used metaphorically to represent sin or corrupting influence.
• “ἄζυμοι” (azymoi), meaning “unleavened,” referring to the state of being free from sin or impurity.
• “πάσχα” (pascha), meaning “Passover,” which is a reference to the Jewish festival and, by extension, to Christ as the Passover sacrifice.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of sacrifice for atonement or deliverance is not unique to Christianity but is seen across various ancient myths and religions. In many cultures, sacrifice is a means of appeasing deities or purifying the community. The Christian interpretation of Christ as the Passover sacrifice, however, is distinctive in its claim that Jesus is the final and ultimate sacrifice sufficient for the salvation of all who believe.

Scientific Perspectives

While this verse does not directly intersect with scientific understandings, the process of removing leaven to create unleavened bread is well-understood in terms of fermentation. The metaphor of leaven, therefore, can be connected to the natural process of fermentation, in which a small agent can cause significant change—an apt metaphor for sin’s pervasive influence.

Commentaries

Commentators have different views on this verse. Some emphasize the liturgical aspect, seeing the reference to Passover and Christ’s sacrifice as an early Christian interpretation of the Last Supper and the Eucharist. Others suggest that Paul’s use of “old leaven” signifies the urgency to repent from sin in light of Christ’s sacrifice. There is also an eschatological viewpoint, where being “unleavened” points towards the Christian’s purity and readiness for Christ’s return.