Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-8. There are only three buts to be found in chapter five, just one in this first section. You get the feeling Paul's subject matter in this section is weighty enough. He begins incredulously, "It is actually reported..." as if to beg 'Can you believe this?'
The things that Paul has been made aware of are the kind of things that are so scandalous that even the world would be shocked and disapproving. How is it that the church could not only allow these things to go on, but also be proud of such licencious behavior?
The buts of the chapter speak to clarify the impropriety and to commend purity: Therefore let us keep the festival, not with the old yeast, yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread made without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth.
Paul was illustrating this point: A little yeast will work through a whole batch of dough. Just a little tolerated sin will spread like a cancer.
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