Faith without religion.
Leaven, Purity, and Community Integrity
In a recent teaching, we delved into 1st Corinthians 5:6-end, where Paul addresses the church in Corinth regarding a serious issue of immorality. The church had been complacent, perhaps even boasting, about a situation involving a son in a sinful relationship with his father’s wife. Paul warns them that “a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump,” using leaven as a metaphor for sin and corruption. This proverbial statement emphasizes that even a small amount of sin can corrupt the entire community.
Paul draws from Jewish customs, where leaven was removed during Passover to symbolize purity and sincerity. He urges the Corinthians to purge the old leaven, representing vice and sin, to become a new, pure lump. This call to purity is not just about removing the sinful individual but about maintaining the integrity of the entire community.
The teaching also highlights the importance of humility, contrasting the puffed-up nature of leaven with the lowliness that God desires. Jesus exemplified this humility, and Paul encourages believers to follow suit, avoiding the leaven of pride and insincerity.
Paul’s advice extends to not associating with those who claim to be believers yet live in sin. This guidance was crucial for maintaining the holiness of the early church. While the context may differ today, the principle of striving for sincerity and truth in our faith remains relevant.
Ultimately, the teaching reminds us of the ongoing process of sanctification, where we continually seek to remove the leaven of sin from our lives, allowing God to exalt us in due time.