1 Corinthians 5:6
Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
Original Language Analysis
καλὸν
good
G2570
καλὸν
good
Strong's:
G2570
Word #:
2 of 14
properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
καύχημα
glorying
G2745
καύχημα
glorying
Strong's:
G2745
Word #:
4 of 14
a boast (properly, the object; by implication, the act) in a good or a bad sense
οἴδατε
Know ye
G1492
οἴδατε
Know ye
Strong's:
G1492
Word #:
7 of 14
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
8 of 14
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
μικρὰ
a little
G3398
μικρὰ
a little
Strong's:
G3398
Word #:
9 of 14
small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)
ὅλον
the whole
G3650
ὅλον
the whole
Strong's:
G3650
Word #:
11 of 14
"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 14
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 15:33Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.James 4:16But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.Galatians 5:9A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.1 Corinthians 5:2And ye are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away from among you.Matthew 13:33Another 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.
Historical Context
Leaven appears throughout Scripture as a symbol of corruption and sin (Ex. 12:15-20; Matt. 16:6-12; Gal. 5:9). During Passover, Jews meticulously removed all leaven from their homes, symbolizing separation from Egypt's corruption. Paul applies this imagery to the church as God's holy community, called to remove the 'leaven' of sin.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'small' sins are you tolerating that might be spreading their influence in your life?
- How does the corporate nature of holiness challenge Western individualism in your faith?
- Do you view church discipline as protecting the community or merely punishing individuals?
Analysis & Commentary
Your glorying is not good (οὐ καλὸν τὸ καύχημα ὑμῶν)—their boasting about spiritual superiority, knowledge, or tolerance was misplaced. True spiritual maturity produces humility and grief over sin, not arrogance. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?—Paul introduces the leaven metaphor, drawing on Jewish Passover imagery. Zyme (ζύμη, "leaven, yeast") represents sin's pervasive, corrupting influence.
The principle is organic and inevitable: small amounts of leaven ferment entire batches of dough. Similarly, tolerated sin spreads through the community, normalizing immorality and weakening witness. The rhetorical question "Know ye not?" implies this should be obvious—elementary spiritual knowledge. Their pride blinded them to a basic truth: holiness is corporate, not merely individual. One person's persistent, public sin affects the entire body, requiring decisive action to preserve communal purity.