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:
Original Language Analysis
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 21
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
τὴν
G3588
τὴν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἦτε
ye may be
G5600
ἦτε
ye may be
Strong's:
G5600
Word #:
7 of 21
(may, might, can, could, would, should, must, etc.; also with g1487 and its comparative, as well as with other particles) be
νέον
a new
G3501
νέον
a new
Strong's:
G3501
Word #:
8 of 21
"new", i.e., (of persons) youthful, or (of things) fresh; figuratively, regenerate
φύραμα
lump
G5445
φύραμα
lump
Strong's:
G5445
Word #:
9 of 21
perhaps akin to g5453 through the idea of swelling in bulk), mean to knead; a mass of dough
ἄζυμοι·
unleavened
G106
ἄζυμοι·
unleavened
Strong's:
G106
Word #:
12 of 21
unleavened, i.e., (figuratively) uncorrupted; (in the neutral plural) specially (by implication) the passover week
καὶ
even
G2532
καὶ
even
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
13 of 21
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
14 of 21
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
15 of 21
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πάσχα
passover
G3957
πάσχα
passover
Strong's:
G3957
Word #:
16 of 21
the passover (the meal, the day, the festival or the special sacrifices connected with it)
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
18 of 21
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
Cross References
Ephesians 4:22That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;John 1:29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.Revelation 5:12Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.Mark 14:12And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover?Exodus 12:15Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread; even the first day ye shall put away leaven out of your houses: for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.1 Corinthians 10:17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.John 19:14And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!John 1:36And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!1 Corinthians 5:13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
Historical Context
The Passover (Pesach) commemorated Israel's exodus from Egypt. On Nisan 14, each household sacrificed an unblemished lamb; its blood on doorposts protected them from the death angel. For seven days following, only unleavened bread was eaten, symbolizing hasty departure and separation from Egypt's corruption. Paul sees Christ's crucifixion as the ultimate Passover sacrifice.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Christ's sacrifice as your Passover Lamb motivate you toward holiness?
- What 'old leaven' from your former life still needs to be purged out?
- Do you live in the reality that you are already 'unleavened' in Christ, or do you strive to become what you already are?
Analysis & Commentary
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump—the imperative ekkatharate ("purge out, cleanse thoroughly") demands decisive action. Old leaven represents the former life of sin; new lump is the church's new identity in Christ. As ye are unleavened (καθώς ἐστε ἄζυμοι)—positionally, believers are already unleavened, sanctified in Christ. Paul calls them to live out their identity, making practice match position.
For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us (καὶ γὰρ τὸ πάσχα ἡμῶν ἐτύθη Χριστός)—this is Paul's Passover typology. The Passover lamb's blood protected Israel from judgment (Ex. 12); Christ, our Passover Lamb, was sacrificed to deliver us from sin's penalty (John 1:29; 1 Pet. 1:18-19). Just as Israel removed leaven after Passover, the church must remove sin after Christ's sacrifice. The verb ethythe ("was sacrificed") points to the completed work of the cross. Because Christ has been sacrificed, we live as unleavened bread—pure, set apart, holy.