1 Corinthians 5:8

Let us keep. The Greek means, “let us continue keeping.” The Christian should continually keep himself free from the defilement of sin. That is, “old leaven” should ever be kept purged out of his soul. It was in the spring of the year, probably near the Passover season, that the epistle was written (see p. 103).

Not with old leaven. A call to abandon the old way of life, with the corrupt feelings and passions that are prompted by the desires of the unrenewed heart.

Malice. Gr. kakia, “ill will,” “wickedness,” or “evil” in general. Probably the use of the word here refers primarily to the ill feeling that had caused the factions or parties in the church at Corinth (ch. 1:11–13). Division into separate groups within the church, each at variance with the others and contending for supremacy, increases such envy and ill feeling.

Wickedness. Here, probably a special reference to the immorality for which the apostle had reproved the Corinthians (see 1 Cor. 5:1; cf. 2 Cor. 12:21). Christians who have surrendered to Jesus and who have been born again will not retain their former evil desires and practices. These are all put away when they “put on” Christ (see Gal. 3:27; 5:24-26). It is by studying the Scriptures and bringing the life into harmony with the will of God that we “keep the feast” (see Jer. 15:16; Eze. 3:1,3; Matt. 4:4; John 6:63; Heb. 4:12).

Sincerity and truth. In his life a real Christian is so straightforward, pure, and true in all respects that his genuineness is apparent to all. There is no hidden taint of sin or unbelief, which, like leaven, affects the entire man, although not seen from the outside.

As the Passover bread was free from even the smallest particle of leaven, so the character of the true child of God is completely free from all compromise with evil. “Real piety begins when all compromise with sin is at an end” (MB 91).