1 Corinthians 5:8- “Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul is wrapping up his analogy of yeast and unleavened bread, which he has been using to address sin in the Corinthian church. He urges them to “keep the Festival”, referring to the Jewish Feast of Unleavened Bread, which was closely connected to Passover.

During Passover, the Israelites had to remove all leaven (yeast) from their homes and eat only unleavened bread (Exodus 12:15-20). Yeast symbolized corruption, while unleavened bread represented purity. Paul uses this imagery to make a spiritual point:

• The “old bread leavened with malice and wickedness” represents sin. Just as the Israelites were to remove yeast from their homes, believers must remove sin from their lives.
• The “unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” represents the new life in Christ. Christians are called to live with genuine hearts and God’s truth, rather than being corrupted by sin.

Paul is not telling Christians to literally celebrate Passover. Instead, he is saying that since Christ is our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), we should live in a constant state of spiritual cleansing and renewal, leaving behind the sinful ways of the past.

Historical Context

Paul’s audience included both Jewish and Gentile believers. The Jewish Christians would have immediately understood the reference to the Feast of Unleavened Bread. They knew that Passover was a time of purification, remembering how God delivered Israel from Egypt.

For the Gentile believers, Paul’s metaphor was a way to explain holiness. In the pagan city of Corinth, immorality was common, and many believers had been saved out of sinful lifestyles (1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Paul was reminding them that, just like the Israelites removed yeast from their homes, they must remove sin from their hearts and their church.

The Corinthians were tolerating serious sin within their congregation, including an immoral relationship (1 Corinthians 5:1). Instead of grieving over it, they were boasting. Paul is urging them to take sin seriously and to pursue holiness.

Theological Implications

1. The Christian Life is a Continuous Celebration of Holiness – The “festival” Paul speaks of is not a once-a-year event but a way of life. Since Christ has made us new, we should live daily in purity and truth.

2. Sin Corrupts, but Christ Cleanses – Paul contrasts two ways of life:
   • The old life is like leavened bread—full of malice and wickedness, meaning bitterness, sin, and rebellion against God.
   • The new life is like unleavened bread—marked by sincerity and truth, meaning honesty, purity, and a life shaped by God’s Word.
3. Holiness is Not Just External but Internal – Some people try to appear godly while still holding on to sin in their hearts. But Paul calls for true inner transformation, not just religious behavior.

4. Christ’s Sacrifice Calls Us to Change – Since Jesus is our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7), His death is not just for forgiveness but for transformation. Salvation is not just about being saved from judgment—it’s about being made new.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s language here is highly symbolic, drawing from the rich imagery of the Old Testament.

• “Let us keep the Festival” – This is not a literal command to observe Passover but a call to live in a state of spiritual purity and joy, much like the Israelites after being freed from Egypt.
• “Old bread leavened with malice and wickedness” – Paul is pointing to the old sinful life, which corrupts just as yeast spreads through dough.
• “Unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” – These two words are key:
  • Sincerity refers to a heart that is pure and genuine, not fake or hypocritical.
  • Truth points to God’s standard of holiness, not personal opinions or cultural values.

Paul is emphasizing that the Christian life is not about outward religion but inner transformation.

Biblical Cross-References

• Exodus 12:15-20 – The Feast of Unleavened Bread required removing all yeast, symbolizing purification from sin.
• Matthew 16:6 – Jesus warns against the “yeast” of the Pharisees, referring to their hypocrisy.
• Luke 12:1 – Jesus again speaks of yeast as a symbol of corruption and sin.
• Romans 12:1-2 – Paul urges believers to offer themselves as a living sacrifice, being transformed by renewing their minds.
• 1 Peter 1:15-16 – “Be holy, because I am holy.” Believers are called to live in holiness.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

Paul’s message is as relevant today as it was for the Corinthians. Many people today claim to follow Christ but continue clinging to their old ways. Paul is reminding us that Jesus didn’t just save us to forgive our sins—He saved us to change us.

This verse challenges us to ask:

• Are we still holding on to malice and wickedness—bitterness, dishonesty, or impurity?
• Are we living with sincerity and truth, fully devoted to Christ?

For churches today, this verse is a warning. If we tolerate sin, it will spread like yeast in dough. The church is called to be a place of holiness and truth, not compromise.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

At first, calling believers to remove sin might seem harsh, but it actually reflects God’s love. A loving father does not allow his children to stay in harmful situations. Likewise, God does not want His people to live in sin—He wants them to be free.

God’s love is seen in:

• His desire for purity – He wants His people to live in holiness, not in brokenness.
• His provision of Christ – Instead of demanding perfection, He gave Jesus as the Passover Lamb to make us clean.
• His call to sincerity and truth – He doesn’t want religious rule-followers—He wants people who genuinely love and follow Him.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Paul directly connects this teaching to Jesus by referring to Passover.

• Jesus is the true Passover Lamb (John 1:29) – His sacrifice removes sin.
• Jesus brings new life (2 Corinthians 5:17) – We are no longer the old, leavened bread; we are made new.
• Jesus calls us to sincerity and truth (John 4:24) – True worshipers worship in spirit and truth.
• Jesus cleanses His church (Ephesians 5:25-27) – He purifies His people so that they will be holy and blameless.

Paul is reminding us that because Jesus has already saved us, we should live lives that reflect His holiness.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does it mean to “keep the Festival” in a spiritual sense?
2. How does Paul’s yeast metaphor help us understand the nature of sin?
3. What are some areas in your life where you might be holding on to “old yeast”?
4. How can sincerity and truth shape the way we live out our faith?
5. How does understanding Jesus as the Passover Lamb change your view of salvation?