TRV
Translation
King James Version
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.
Complete Jewish Bible
So let us celebrate the Seder not with leftover hametz, the hametz of wickedness and evil, but with the matzah of purity and truth.
Berean Standard Bible
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.
American Standard Version
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.
World English Bible Messianic
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Therefore let vs keepe the feast, not with olde leauen, neither in the leauen of maliciousnes and wickednesse: but with the vnleauened bread of synceritie and trueth.
Young's Literal Translation
so that we may keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of evil and wickedness, but with unleavened food of sincerity and truth.
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In the KJVVerse 28,463 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Corinthians 5 verses 7–8
7 ¶ 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:
8 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.
Here the apostle exhorts them to purity, by purging out the old leaven. In this observe,
I. The advice itself, addressed either, 1. To the church in general; and so purging out the old leaven, that they might be a new lump, refers to the putting away from themselves that wicked person, Co1 5:13. Note, Christian churches should be pure and holy, and not bear such corrupt and scandalous members. They are to be unleavened, and should endure no such heterogeneous mixture to sour and corrupt them. Or, 2. To each particular member of the church. And so it implies that they should purge themselves from all impurity of heart and life, especially from this kind of wickedness, to which the Corinthians were addicted to a proverb. See the argument at the beginning. This old leaven was in a particular manner to be purged out, that they might become a new lump. Note, Christians should be careful to keep themselves clean, as well as purge polluted members out of their society. And they should especially avoid the sins to which they themselves were once most addicted, and the reigning vices of the places and the people where they live. They were also to purge themselves from malice and wickedness - all ill-will and mischievous subtlety. This is leaven that sours the mind to a great degree. It is not improbable that this was intended as a check to some who gloried in the scandalous behaviour of the offender, both out of pride and pique. Note, Christians should be careful to keep free from malice and mischief. Love is the very essence and life of the Christian religion. It is the fairest image of God, for God is love (Jo1 4:16), and therefore it is no wonder if it be the greatest beauty and ornament of a Christian. But malice is murder in its principles: He that hates his brother is a murderer (Jo1 3:15), he bears the image and proclaims him the offspring of him who was a murderer from the beginning, Joh 8:44. How hateful should every thing be to a Christian that looks like malice and mischief.
II. The reason with which this advice is enforced: For Christ our passover is sacrificed for us, Co1 5:7. This is the great doctrine of the gospel. The Jews, after they had killed the passover, kept the feast of unleavened bread. So must we; not for seven days only, but all our days. We should die with our Saviour to sin, be planted into the likeness of his death by mortifying sin, and into the likeness of his resurrection by rising again to newness of life, and that internal and external. We must have new hearts and new lives. Note, The whole life of a Christian must be a feast of unleavened bread. His common conversation and his religious performances must be holy. He must purge out the old leaven, and keep the feast of unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. He must be without guilt in his conduct towards God and man. And the more there is of sincerity in our own profession, the less shall we censure that of others. Note, On the whole, The sacrifice of our Redeemer is the strongest argument with a gracious heart for purity and sincerity. How sincere a regard did he show to our welfare, in dying for us! and how terrible a proof was his death of the detestable nature of sin, and God's displeasure against it! Heinous evil, that could not be expiated but with the blood of the Son of God! And shall a Christian love the murderer of his Lord? God forbid.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 7–8. Public domain.
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AmbrosiasterAD 384
COMMENTARY ON PAUL’S EPISTLES
Just as a little leaven leavens the whole lump, an evil life corrupts the whole man. Therefore Paul wants us to avoid not only evil acts but all interest in sin, so that sincerity may cleanse our lives and truth may exclude all deception.
John ChrysostomAD 407
Homily on 1 Corinthians 15
"For our Passover also hath been sacrificed for us, even Christ; wherefore let us keep the feast: not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." So also Christ called His doctrine Leaven. And further he himself dwells upon the metaphor, reminding them of an ancient history, and of the Passover and unleavened bread, and of their blessings both then and now, and their punishments and their plagues.
It is festival, therefore, the whole time in which we live. For though he said, "Let us keep the feast," not with a view to the presence of the Passover or of Pentecost did he say it; but as pointing out that the whole of time is a festival unto Christians, because of the excellency of the good things which have been given. For what hath not come to pass that is good? The Son of God was made man for thee; He freed thee from death; and called thee to a kingdom. Thou therefore who hast obtained and art still obtaining such things, how can it be less than thy duty to "keep the feast" all thy life? Let no one then be downcast about poverty, and disease, and craft of enemies. For it is a festival, even the whole of our time. Wherefore saith Paul, "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, Rejoice." Upon the festival days no one puts on filthy garments. Neither then let us do so. For a marriage hath been made, a spiritual marriage. For, "the kingdom of Heaven," saith He, "is likened unto a certain king which would make a marriage feast for his son." Now where it is a king making a marriage, and a marriage for his son, what can be greater than this feast? Let no one then enter in clad in rags. Not about garments is our discourse but about unclean actions. For if where all wore bright apparel one alone, being found at the marriage in filthy garments, was cast out with dishonor, consider how great strictness and purity the entrance into that marriage feast requires.
However, not on this account only does he remind them of the "unleavened bread," but also to point out the affinity of the Old Testament with the New; and to point out also that it was impossible, after the "unleavened bread," again to enter into Egypt; but if any one chose to return, he would suffer the same things as did they. For those things were a shadow of these; however obstinate the Jew may be. Wherefore shouldest thou enquire of him, he will speak, no great thing, rather it is great which he will speak of, but nothing like what we speak of: because he knows not the truth. For he for his part will say, "the Egyptians who detained us were so changed by the Almighty that they themselves urged and drave us out, who before held us forcibly; they did not suffer us so much as to leaven our dough." But if a man asketh me, he shall hear not of Egypt nor of Pharaoh; but of our deliverance from the deceit of demons and the darkness of the devil: not of Moses but of the Son of God; not of a Red Sea but of a Baptism overflowing with ten thousand blessings, where the "old man" is drowned.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 5:8, the Apostle Paul issues a powerful exhortation to the Corinthian believers, urging them to live a life of continuous spiritual purity. Building on the metaphor of leaven, which represents corrupting sin, he calls them to purge "old leaven," specifically "malice and wickedness," from their community and individual lives. Instead, they are to embrace a new way of living, characterized by the "unleavened bread of sincerity and truth," reflecting the transformative power of Christ's sacrifice and their identity as a new creation.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Paul employs several powerful metaphors in 1 Corinthians 5:8 to convey his message. The central metaphor is that of leaven (zymē), which represents sin and its insidious, pervasive nature. Just as a small amount of yeast can cause an entire batch of dough to rise, so too can a single sin or a complacent attitude toward sin corrupt an entire community. Conversely, unleavened bread (ázymos) serves as a metaphor for purity, integrity, and the new life in Christ, drawing on its significance in the Passover tradition. The phrase "keep the feast" is also a metaphorical extension, transforming the historical Passover celebration into a continuous spiritual reality for believers. Furthermore, Paul uses antithesis or juxtaposition by sharply contrasting "old leaven" and "the leaven of malice and wickedness" with "the unleavened [bread] of sincerity and truth." This creates a vivid dichotomy between the old, sinful way of life and the new, righteous path demanded by the Gospel, emphasizing the clear choice believers must make.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The command in 1 Corinthians 5:8 is deeply rooted in the broader biblical theology of holiness and covenant faithfulness. Just as ancient Israel was called to be a holy nation set apart for God, so too is the church, as the new covenant community, called to reflect God's character. The purging of leaven is not merely an act of discipline but an expression of the believer's new identity in Christ, who has already purified them through His sacrifice. This ongoing "feast" of Christian living is a demonstration of our participation in Christ's death and resurrection, where the old self is crucified and the new self, created in righteousness and holiness, is put on. It underscores the truth that salvation is not just a one-time event but a transformative process that demands continuous ethical living, marked by genuine integrity and adherence to divine truth.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 5:8 offers a timeless and profound challenge for believers today. It calls us to a radical self-examination, urging us to identify and actively remove any "leaven" of sin from our lives and communities. This isn't just about avoiding overt acts of wickedness, but also addressing the subtle, pervasive influences of "malice" (ill-will, negativity, bitterness) and "wickedness" (active depravity, harmful intentions) that can corrupt our hearts and relationships. The call to "keep the feast" with "sincerity and truth" means cultivating an authentic, transparent faith that is consistent in private and public. It demands integrity in our words and actions, a commitment to living according to God's revealed truth, and a genuine love for others that is free from hypocrisy or pretense. This verse reminds us that our redemption in Christ is not a license for complacency but a powerful impetus for continuous growth in holiness, transforming us into a community that truly reflects the purity and character of our Lord.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What does Paul mean by "keep the feast"?
Answer: Paul's instruction to "keep the feast" in 1 Corinthians 5:8 is a powerful reinterpretation of the Jewish Passover. While the Passover was an annual celebration commemorating Israel's deliverance from slavery in Egypt, Paul transforms it into a continuous spiritual reality for Christians. Because "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7), believers are now perpetually living in the reality of His redemptive work. Therefore, "keeping the feast" means living an ongoing life of holiness, purity, and integrity, constantly remembering and reflecting the sacrifice of Christ. It's not about a ritualistic observance but a lifestyle of spiritual celebration, free from the "leaven" of sin.
Why does Paul use the metaphor of "leaven" for sin?
Answer: The metaphor of "leaven" (yeast) for sin is deeply rooted in both Jewish tradition and its inherent properties. Leaven, even in small quantities, rapidly ferments and permeates an entire batch of dough, causing it to rise. Similarly, sin, even a seemingly small or hidden transgression, has a corrupting and pervasive influence that can spread throughout an individual's life or an entire community. Paul uses this vivid imagery in 1 Corinthians 5:6 to warn the Corinthians that their tolerance of the incestuous man's sin was like allowing leaven to contaminate the whole church. The call to purge "old leaven" and "the leaven of malice and wickedness" (1 Corinthians 5:8) is a call for thorough spiritual cleansing, removing all corrupting influences from their midst.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 5:8 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who is the very embodiment of "unleavened bread" – perfect purity and truth. Paul explicitly states in the preceding verse, "Christ our passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7), establishing Jesus as the true and ultimate Passover Lamb whose sinless sacrifice cleanses us from all defilement. He is the one "who knew no sin" (2 Corinthians 5:21) and in whom "is no darkness at all" (1 John 1:5). Therefore, our ability to "keep the feast" with "sincerity and truth" is not based on our own moral efforts but on our union with Christ. As believers, we are declared "unleavened" in Him, meaning we are already made pure and holy in God's sight through His atoning work (Hebrews 10:10). The ongoing command to purge "old leaven" and live in purity is a call to practically manifest the spiritual reality that has already been accomplished in us by Christ, allowing His transformative power to conform us to His image (Romans 8:29). Our "sincerity and truth" are not merely human virtues but reflections of the very character of Christ, who is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).