I Corinthians 5:6-8

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“Your glorying is not good. Know you not that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, as you are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 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.”

Does this passage disprove any need to literally keep the Days of Unleavened Bread? I Cor 5:6 condemns leaven. Some believe that this only means spiritual leaven, while others believe it means physical and spiritual leaven. Which is right?

I Cor 5:8 is very emphatic and begins, “Therefore, let us keep the feast…” This refutes false claims about this verse. However, notice the next two phrases in I Cor 5:8: “…not with old leaven [physical leaven], neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness [spiritual leaven].” They are plainly told to “purge out” old leaven, and this can only mean out of their houses. Christians are to keep the Feast (Days) of Unleavened Bread both physically and spiritually (notice the end of I Cor 5:8)! Suggested reading:

• God’s Holy Days or Pagan Holidays?

• Bible Introduction Course Lesson 24 – THE DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD