King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 5:6 Mean?

1 Corinthians 5:6 in the King James Version says “Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?”

1 Corinthians 5:6 · KJV

Context

4

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

5

To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.

6

Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

7

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: is sacrificed: or, is slain

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. the feast: or, holyday

Read 1 Corinthians 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Your glorying is not good (οὐ καλὸν τὸ καύχημα ὑμῶν)—their boasting about spiritual superiority, knowledge, or tolerance was misplaced. True spiritual maturity produces humility and grief over sin, not arrogance. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?—Paul introduces the leaven metaphor, drawing on Jewish Passover imagery. Zyme (ζύμη, "leaven, yeast") represents sin's pervasive, corrupting influence.

The principle is organic and inevitable: small amounts of leaven ferment entire batches of dough. Similarly, tolerated sin spreads through the community, normalizing immorality and weakening witness. The rhetorical question "Know ye not?" implies this should be obvious—elementary spiritual knowledge. Their pride blinded them to a basic truth: holiness is corporate, not merely individual. One person's persistent, public sin affects the entire body, requiring decisive action to preserve communal purity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Leaven appears throughout Scripture as a symbol of corruption and sin (Ex. 12:15-20; Matt. 16:6-12; Gal. 5:9). During Passover, Jews meticulously removed all leaven from their homes, symbolizing separation from Egypt's corruption. Paul applies this imagery to the church as God's holy community, called to remove the 'leaven' of sin.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'small' sins are you tolerating that might be spreading their influence in your life?
  2. How does the corporate nature of holiness challenge Western individualism in your faith?
  3. Do you view church discipline as protecting the community or merely punishing individuals?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 14 words
οὐκ1 of 14

“is not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

καλὸν2 of 14

“good”

G2570

properly, beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), i.e., valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, and thus distinguished

τὸ3 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

καύχημα4 of 14

“glorying”

G2745

a boast (properly, the object; by implication, the act) in a good or a bad sense

ὑμῶν5 of 14

“Your”

G5216

of (from or concerning) you

οὐκ6 of 14

“is not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

οἴδατε7 of 14

“Know ye”

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ὅτι8 of 14

“that”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

μικρὰ9 of 14

“a little”

G3398

small (in size, quantity, number or (figuratively) dignity)

ζύμη10 of 14

“leaven”

G2219

ferment (as if boiling up)

ὅλον11 of 14

“the whole”

G3650

"whole" or "all", i.e., complete (in extent, amount, time or degree), especially (neuter) as noun or adverb

τὸ12 of 14
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

φύραμα13 of 14

“lump”

G5445

perhaps akin to g5453 through the idea of swelling in bulk), mean to knead; a mass of dough

ζυμοῖ14 of 14

“leaveneth”

G2220

to cause to ferment

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 5:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 5:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Galatians 5:91 Corinthians 15:33James 4:161 Corinthians 5:21 Corinthians 3:21Luke 13:21

Test Your Knowledge

1 Corinthians 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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