The analogy of the Passover 5:6-8Paul argued for the man’s removal from the church with this analogy. It was primarily for the sake of the church that they should remove him, not for the man’s sake. read more
The feast of Unleavened Bread began the day after Passover. The Jews regarded both Passover and the feast of Unleavened Bread as one festival (cf. Exodus 23:15; Exodus 34:18; Deuteronomy 16:6). As believers whose Pascal Lamb had died, it was necessary that the Corinthians keep celebrating the feast and worshipping God free of leaven that symbolically represented sin. The old leaven probably refers to the sins that marked the Corinthians before their conversion. Malice and wickedness probably... read more
(b) 5:1-13. The Case of ImmoralityThe Apostle had written (1 Corinthians 4:21) of coming to exercise authority. Here was a case in which it was needed. A man had created a scandal by marrying his stepmother, and the Corinthians had done nothing. They had allowed him to retain his membership in the Church. St. Paul instructs them to excommunicate the offender, and keep the Church pure.1-8. Paraphrase. ’A rumour has reached me that unchastity exists among you, and that one of your number has... read more
(8) Old leaven—i.e., in their old state generally; and then the Apostle proceeds to particularise. Sincerity and truth are to take the place of malice and wickedness in the continuous life of the Christian. St. Chrysostom well remarks: “He said ‘Let us keep the feast’ as pointing out that the whole of time is a festival unto Christians, because of the excellence of the good things which have been given.” read more
1 Corinthians 5:6-7 The 'eternal vigilance' required to maintain not only liberty but purity, should have for its guide a principle just opposite to the principle commonly followed. Most men, alike in public affairs and private business-affairs, assume that things are going right until it is proved they are going wrong; whereas their assumption should be that things are going wrong until it is proved they are going right. Spencer, Principles of Ethics (§ 470). References. IV. 21. Expositor... read more
Chapter 8EXCOMMUNICATION; OR, PURGING OUT THE OLD LEAVENFROM the subject of the factions in the Corinthian Church, which has so long detained Paul, he now passes to the second division of his Epistle, in which he speaks of the relation the Christians should hold to the heathen population around them. The transition is easy and such as befits a letter. Paul had thought it advisable to send Timothy, who perfectly understood his mind, and could represent his views more fully than a letter; but it... read more
3. Corinthian Failures. Chapters 5-6. CHAPTER 5 1. The Tolerated Case of Gross Immorality. (1 Corinthians 5:1-5 ). 2. The Call to Separation. (1 Corinthians 5:6-13 ). The spiritual declension, the carnal spirit which prevailed among them, had brought forth fruit. One of their members had committed an act of the grossest immorality, which was an unspeakable outrage, such as was not even named in a licentious city like Corinth, where licentiousness of life was a broadly marked feature of... read more
5:8 Therefore let us keep the {g} feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened [bread] of sincerity and truth.(g) Let us lead our whole life as it were a continual feast, honestly and uprightly. read more
The emphasis on human wisdom in Corinth was sadly accompanied by a case of revolting moral corruption. Philosophy is far removed from spiritual power, very commonly. Paul speaks here of a case well known, that of a man having his own stepmother. Such fornication as this was not even considered among the ungodly nations. This illustrates the fact that grace, once known, may be taken advantage of in a most unholy way, if it does not hold living power over the soul. And a believer may slip into... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 5:8
8. not . . . old leaven—of our unconverted state as Jews or heathen. malice—the opposite of "sincerity," which allows no leaven of evil to be mixed up with good (Matthew 16:6). wickedness—the opposite of "truth," which allows not evil to be mistaken for good. The Greek for "malice" means the evil habit of mind; "wickedness," the outcoming of the same in word and deed. The Greek for "sincerity" expresses literally, a thing which, when examined by the sun's light, is found pure and unadulterated. read more