“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:”
Get rid of the old yeast, that you may be a new batch without yeast — just as you are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed — the command 'get rid of the old yeast' (ekkatharthē) echoes the Passover requirement (Exodus 12-13). The church must purge itself of sin-yeast. The grounds: Christ is 'our Passover lamb' (Pascha hēmōn). Just as Passover celebrated liberation, Christians celebrate liberation through Christ's sacrifice. Living as 'unleavened' (azymoi, sinless) reflects that cosmic redemption.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 5:7
“Purge out the old leaven,” that is, this evil one. Not that he speaks concerning this one only; rather he glances at others with him. For, “the old leaven” is not fornication only, but also sin of every kind. And he said not, “purge,” but “purge out;” “cleanse with accuracy so that there be not so much as a remnant nor a shadow of that sort.” In saying then, “purge out,” he signifies that there was still iniquity among them. But in saying, “that you may be a new lump, even…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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