1 Corinthians 5:6-13

 

5:6

Paul’s primary concern is not for the individual but for the church

“Boast” is a synonym for “proud” in 5:2

“Not Good” could be translated closer to the Greek meaning as “not praise worthy.”

 

“A little yeast” refers to “a little corruption”

Corruption moves through a group of people just like a small amount of yeast moves through the whole batch of dough

 

In Galatians 5:9 Paul says the same things “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough” to refer to corrupt teaching.

 

“Yeast” (“zumh” or “zume”) is “leaven”.  Yeast was not easily available in the ancient world so a little dough from the previous week was allowed to ferment and was placed in the new dough.  This would make the bread light (sourdough bread).  The danger of this fermented part of the loaf causing infection increased as each week passed.

 

5:7

Exodus 12:14-20 verse 15 says, “Remove the yeast from your houses”

 

Paul’s imagery breaks down since they are already positionaly “new yeast” so Paul corrects himself.  They must now act like they are.

  1. Spiritually they have already had the old leaven removed.
  2. Temporarily they must now remove the old leaven in their thinking and actions

 

The statement “Get rid of the old yeast” is in imperative or the voice of command.

But, this is only possible because of the statement, “as you really are” which is in the indicative or the voice of reality.

 

Paul uses the second part of this verse to reestablish how they became the new yeast:  the Passover lamb.

The sacrifice of Christ was the removal of the “old” leaven that infected us.

 

5:8

“Keep” is in the present tense indicating a continual keeping of the feast

 

What is the “Feast”?

  1. The  Feast of Unleaven Bread was a 7 day feast that began after the Passover lamb was sacrificed.  The Jews were forbidden to eat anything leavened during this feast.
  2. Our “Feast” that we are observing is the church age which began after the Christ was sacrificed.:
    1. The bread with yeast is:

                                                               i.      Malice “kakias” describes a vicious disposition

                                                             ii.      Wickedness -

    1. The bread without yeast is:

                                                               i.      Sincerity – Literal meaning “checked by sunlight” and means “pure motives”

                                                             ii.      Truth

These two things, sincerity of motive and walking in the truth (God’s reality), are the basis of our judging and our receiving of rewards.

Keep the Feast indicates:

  1. The removal the immoral brother
  2. The observance of the standards of the “Feast” by removing the “infectious” leaven
    1. In the church
    2. In their lives

 

5:9

 In Paul’s previous letter he wrote not to associate with sexually immoral people.

“Associate” “sunanamignusqai” is in present tense middle voice which points at a regular association.  It means “to mix together, to mix up with, to associate with.

This is applied in 2 Thessalonians after a second warning for idleness

  1. 1 Thess. 4:11-12 and 5:14 is their first warning
  2. 2 Thess. 3:6-7

 

5:10

The sins listed for the “People of this world” are sins that were thriving in Corinth around 50 AD:

1)      Immoral

2)      Greedy – a covetous person who seeks to fulfill his unsatisfiable desires at all cost and at the expense of others (Rom. 1:29)

3)      Swindlers – robber, extortioner,

4)      Idolaters

 

5:11

A believing brother can not be:

  1. sexually immoral
  2. greedy
  3. idolater
  4. slanderer
  5. drenkard
  6. swindler

 

Do not even eat with a believer like this, let alone let them stay in your church.

Jude 12 “These men are blemishes . . .

  1. shepherds who feed only themselves (use people)
  2. clouds without rain (do not water and promote growth)
  3. blown along by the wind (change according to culture and thoughts of man)
  4. autumn trees without fruit and uprooted  - twice dead (fruitless and removed)
  5. wild waves (no stability, constantly changing)
  6. wandering stars – (provide no guidance and are not worthy of following)

5:12

ARE YOU NOT TO JUDGE THOSE INSIDE THE CHURCH?

What about Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

Jesus is speaking about personal criticism of someone in Matt. 7.

Paul is speaking about dealing with persistent wrongdoing that is violating God’s standards.  In the case of the Corinthians it is being allowed, accepted and imitated.

 

5:13

Deuteronomy 17:7 “You must purge the evil from among you.”

Deuteronomy 19:19 “You must purge the evil from among you.”

Deuteronomy 21:21 “Then all the men of his town shall stone him to death.  You must purge the evil from among you All Israel will hear of it and be afraid.”

Deuteronomy 22:21 “You must purge the evil from Israel.”

Deuteronomy 22:24 “You must purge the evil from among you.”

Deuteronomy 24:7 “You must purge the evil from among you.”