Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

1 CORINTHIANS 5:6KJV
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1 Corinthians 5:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Corinthians 5:6 mean?

1 Corinthians 5:6 warns the Corinthian church that their pride or boasting about their situation is not good, using the image of leaven (yeast) to show how even a small amount of something bad can affect the whole group. Paul is telling them that just as a little leaven spreads through a whole batch of dough, tolerating even a little wrongdoing can influence the entire community.

Paul is writing to the Christians in Corinth, addressing their attitude about a serious moral problem in their church. Instead of being humble or concerned, some in the church were proud or dismissive about it. By mentioning leaven, Paul uses a familiar picture from daily life to show how unchecked issues can grow and affect everyone, urging the church to take these matters seriously.

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 5:6

  • καύχημα (kauchēma; "glorying"): This word means boasting or pride. Paul is pointing out that their attitude of self-satisfaction is misplaced given the situation.
  • ζύμη (zumē; "leaven"): In Greek, this refers to yeast or fermenting agent. Leaven is often used in the Bible as a symbol for influence, usually negative, that spreads quietly but thoroughly.
  • φύραμα (phurama; "lump"): This word means a batch of dough. The image is of something small (leaven) affecting the whole, showing how one person's sin or a small problem can impact the entire group.

Why 1 Corinthians 5:6 matters

  • This verse corrects the idea that small problems or sins can be ignored without consequence; Paul insists that even a little wrong can have a big effect on the whole church.
  • The use of leaven as an image connects to other biblical teachings about influence, both good and bad, helping readers see the importance of addressing issues early.
  • The verse sets up Paul's later instructions about discipline and purity in the church, showing why the community's response to wrongdoing matters for everyone.

Where else these words appear

“leaveneth” Greek G2220 · used in 4 verses

  • Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
  • Luke 13:21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
  • Galatians 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

“lump” Greek G5445 · used in 5 verses

  • Romans 9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
  • Romans 11:16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.
  • 1 Corinthians 5:7 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:

“glorying” Greek G2745 · used in 11 verses

  • Romans 4:2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.
  • 2 Corinthians 1:14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
  • Galatians 6:4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

“leaven” Greek G2219 · used in 11 verses

  • Matthew 13:33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
  • Matthew 16:12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
  • Luke 13:21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.