1 Corinthians 5:8
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.
Original Language Analysis
ὥστε
Therefore
G5620
ὥστε
Therefore
Strong's:
G5620
Word #:
1 of 18
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
μὴ
not
G3361
μὴ
not
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
3 of 18
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
κακίας
of malice
G2549
κακίας
of malice
Strong's:
G2549
Word #:
10 of 18
badness, i.e., (subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
11 of 18
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
πονηρίας
wickedness
G4189
πονηρίας
wickedness
Strong's:
G4189
Word #:
12 of 18
depravity, i.e., (specially), malice; plural (concretely) plots, sins
ἀλλ'
but
G235
ἀλλ'
but
Strong's:
G235
Word #:
13 of 18
properly, other things, i.e., (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
ἀζύμοις
the unleavened
G106
ἀζύμοις
the unleavened
Strong's:
G106
Word #:
15 of 18
unleavened, i.e., (figuratively) uncorrupted; (in the neutral plural) specially (by implication) the passover week
εἰλικρινείας
bread of sincerity
G1505
εἰλικρινείας
bread of sincerity
Strong's:
G1505
Word #:
16 of 18
clearness, i.e., (by implication) purity (figuratively)
Cross References
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.Deuteronomy 16:3Thou shalt eat no leavened bread with it; seven days shalt thou eat unleavened bread therewith, even the bread of affliction; for thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that thou mayest remember the day when thou camest forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.Mark 8:15And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.Matthew 16:6Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.Luke 12:1In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.Isaiah 25:6And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.Isaiah 30:29Ye shall have a song, as in the night when a holy solemnity is kept; and gladness of heart, as when one goeth with a pipe to come into the mountain of the LORD, to the mighty One of Israel.Psalms 42:4When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.Psalms 32:2Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.Ephesians 6:24Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Historical Context
The Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately followed Passover, lasting seven days (Ex. 12:15-20). Leaven symbolized Egypt's corruption from which Israel was delivered. For Paul, the Christian life is a perpetual feast celebrating deliverance from sin through Christ, requiring ongoing separation from moral corruption.
Questions for Reflection
- How can you view your entire Christian life as a celebration of deliverance, not grim duty?
- Where do malice and wickedness still 'leaven' your attitudes or relationships?
- What does sincerity (unmixed motives) and truth (integrity) look like practically in your daily life?
Analysis & Commentary
Therefore let us keep the feast (ὥστε ἑορτάζωμεν)—Paul extends the Passover imagery to the Christian life as an ongoing festival. The present subjunctive heortazomen suggests continuous celebration. The entire Christian life is a feast of deliverance from sin's slavery, requiring ongoing vigilance against sin's re-entry. Not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness—kakia ("malice") is ill will or viciousness; poneria ("wickedness") is active evil or depravity.
But with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth—eilikrineia ("sincerity") means purity, unmixed motives, transparency that withstands scrutiny (literally "judged by sunlight"). Aletheia ("truth") is reality, genuineness, integrity. Christian celebration isn't mere ritual but life characterized by moral purity and truthfulness. The church's holiness must be internal (sincerity) and external (truth), rejecting both hidden corruption and public compromise. This is gospel-shaped living—transformed by Christ's sacrifice into communities of authentic holiness.