1 Corinthians 5: Remove the Yeast!

Verse 6: Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough?

◇ Paul's heart seems to be torn. This is because there are people in the church who are worse than those outside the church. Verse 1 says, "even." It is saying that unimaginable things have already happened within the church.

Paul is emphasizing two things: (#1) The fact that immorality is rampant among them, and (#2) that everyone among them knows about this disgusting immorality. Of course, it is unlikely that immoral sexual practices were commonly practiced at the time. Clearly, only a few people would have engaged in them.

However, the important thing is that the Corinthian church is not condemning such evil acts but is condoning them. The Corinthian saints all knew that there were people within the community committing such evil acts. The acts were so public that even Paul heard about them. The big problem is that they are condoning such evil acts even though they are so public.

We know well that a little yeast changes the whole batch of dough. If you don't remove a small thorn, it festers and causes great pain. The Corinthian church in Paul's time and the church today seem to have little difference. Everyone in the church knows that such evil acts are happening, but they condone and hush them up. What is the result? The church, established by the blood of Jesus, has become a pitiful situation where it is being pointed at.

God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked person from among you" (1 Corinthians 5:13).

Does God want a love without justice?

♧ Lord, please do not let us hesitate to remove the yeast! Make us wise like a serpent to remove the yeast! Holy Spirit, lead us in truth!