What does 1 Corinthians 5:8 mean?

Therefore 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. 1 Corinthians 5:8

Explanation

1 Corinthians 5:8 is a verse from a letter written by the Apostle Paul to the church in Corinth, Greece. In this verse, Paul uses the metaphor of leaven (yeast) to illustrate the concept of sin. Leaven, which causes dough to rise, is likened to malice and wickedness, which can permeate and corrupt the whole community. This ties back to the Jewish tradition of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, where Jews would eat bread made without leaven to symbolize purity and the removal of sin.

The call to “keep the feast” is not a literal demand to observe the Jewish festival, but rather an admonition to the Christian community in Corinth to live a life characterized by “sincerity and truth,” devoid of hidden sin or false motives. Paul is urging the believers to purge their community of corrupting influences, as one would remove leaven from the bread to keep it pure.

Historical Context

1 Corinthians was written approximately in 55 A.D. The letter addresses various issues in the church of Corinth, including reports of sexual immorality, dispute over spiritual gifts, and questions about the resurrection. The early Christian community in Corinth was diverse and marked by problems stemming from its cultural environment, which included prevalent pagan practices and a tolerance for various moral and philosophical viewpoints. To address these concerns, Paul uses the context of Jewish traditions and festivals which would have been familiar to the Jewish members of the Corinthian church.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints approach this verse through varying lenses:

• Covenant Theology sees this verse as a continuation of God’s promise, linking the Old Testament Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread with the new covenant made through Christ. It highlights the need for ongoing purification in the life of a believer.
• Dispensational Theology might emphasize the distinction between the Church and Israel, indicating that the feast referenced is a metaphor for Christian living, separate from the Old Testament ceremonies but still drawing upon their spiritual significance.
• New Covenant Theology will often emphasize the idea of newness in the practice of Christianity, suggesting that the old leaven of the law and its obligations are replaced with living out the new law of Christ, characterized by sincerity and truth.

Practical Applications

1 Corinthians 5:8 offers numerous practical applications for daily life:

• The emphasis on ridding oneself of malice and wickedness can be taken as a personal call to examine and confess hidden sins.
• Celebrating the Christian life with sincerity and truth encourages believers to foster authenticity in their faith expression.
• The metaphor of leaven can remind Christians of the pervasive nature of sin and the necessity to guard against its influence in all aspects of life and community.

Cross-References

• Exodus 12:15-20: Details the instructions for the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
• Exodus 13:7: Outlines the prohibition of leaven during the feast.
• Luke 12:1: Where Jesus warns his disciples of the “leaven” of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
• Galatians 5:9: “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump”, which, similar to this verse, uses the metaphor of leaven to describe the spread of sin or false teaching.
• Ephesians 4:22-24: Encourages the casting off of the old self and to put on the new self, created in righteousness and true holiness, paralleling the idea of removing old leaven.

Language Study

The Greek word for leaven used in this text is “ζύμη” (zymē), which commonly referred to a lump of fermented dough used to ferment other dough. The term symbolizes influence, whether good or bad, but is primarily used in the negative sense within a biblical context.

“Κακία” (kakia) translates to malice or wickedness, indicating not just bad behavior but an evil disposition or intent.

“Sincerity” comes from the Greek “εἰλικρινείᾳ” (eilikrineia), which connotes purity or clarity, as if being judged in sunlight. The “truth” conveyed by “ἀληθείᾳ” (alētheia) is not just factual correctness but authenticity and genuineness in one’s conduct and doctrine.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, festivals and sacrifices involved some form of ritual purity. The unleavened bread of the Jewish tradition can be compared to similar practices in other cultures where certain foods represented moral or spiritual conditions. However, the distinct Christian interpretation here is that the ritual serves as a metaphor for a lifestyle characterized by ethical purity.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific standpoint, the process of leavening bread through yeast is a biological one that illustrates how a small agent can impact a much greater system, akin to Paul’s metaphor of sin affecting the whole community. While there is no direct scientific application of this verse, the metaphor uses a naturally occurring process familiar to Paul’s audience to communicate spiritual truth.

Commentaries

Various biblical commentators have provided insights on 1 Corinthians 5:8:

• John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible emphasizes that the feast is spiritual and that Christians should celebrate with grace in their hearts, free from the malice and hypocrisy that characterized historical Jewish observances.
• Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary suggests that the leaven of malice and wickedness refers to a malicious and wicked disposition and that the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth represents a heart and life where these virtues are found.
• The ESV Study Bible Notes point out that Paul is likely writing this section in the spring, around the time of Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, making the metaphor particularly timely and relevant for the original readers.