Question 1

What does 1 Corinthians 5:7 mean?

Accepted Answer

1 Corinthians 5:7 tells the believers in Corinth to remove what is corrupting them, using the image of cleaning out old yeast so they can be pure, like new dough without yeast. The verse explains that Christ, compared to the Passover lamb, has been sacrificed for them, making this cleansing possible and meaningful. Paul is writing to the church in Corinth, addressing a problem of serious sin among them. He uses the picture of "leaven" (yeast) to represent sin's spreading influence, urging the community to deal with it so they can truly live as people made new by Christ's sacrifice. The reference to Christ as "our passover" connects their situation to the Old Testament story of Passover, where the Israelites removed all leaven from their homes as a sign of being set apart.

Question 2

The Greek behind 1 Corinthians 5:7

Accepted Answer

ζύμη (zymē; "leaven"): This word means yeast or leaven, which causes dough to rise. In Jewish tradition, leaven often symbolized corruption or impurity, so Paul’s use of it here points to the corrupting effect of sin within the community. πάσχα (pascha; "passover"): This word refers to the Passover festival and the sacrificial lamb. By calling Christ "our passover," Paul draws a direct line between Jesus’ sacrifice and the deliverance celebrated at Passover, suggesting a new kind of freedom and purity for believers. ἐκκαθάρατε (ekkatharate; "purge out"): This verb means to cleanse out or remove completely. Paul’s command is strong, urging the church to take decisive action against the sin in their midst, not just tolerate or ignore it.

Question 3

Why 1 Corinthians 5:7 matters

Accepted Answer

This verse clarifies that Paul is not just talking about individual morality but about the health of the whole church community, using the image of leaven to show how one person’s actions can affect everyone. The connection to Passover deepens the meaning, reminding readers that Christ’s sacrifice is the basis for their new identity and calling them to live in a way that reflects that reality. Understanding the imagery helps avoid the mistake of thinking Paul is concerned with literal yeast or food laws; instead, he is using a familiar symbol to talk about spiritual purity and community responsibility.

1 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)