Inside Job

A little leaven leavens the whole lump.  Galatians 5:9  ESV

Leaven – When the Greek word zyme is used in Matthew 16:6 or 1 Corinthians 5:6, no one has any doubt about the application of the proverbial saying to the context.  In both cases, the metaphor of leaven means some small thing that is introduced into the group that changes the whole.  But in order for the “leaven” to have its effect, it must be within the large substance.  Bread does not rise if the leaven is left on the nearby shelf.

If we apply this obvious element of the metaphorical use of leaven to the Galatian believers, then it seems fairly clear that the influencers whom Paul references must be within the Galatian body.  They would not have any effect on the believers in Galatia if they were simply outsiders proposing alternative rituals and theological understanding.  As outsiders, they could be easily dismissed or ignored.  Paul’s use of the metaphor of leaven suggests that these influencers are a part of the body of believers and that if the remaining believers follow their instructions, the whole group will be led astray.  Paul’s concern over the detrimental influence of these people is based on the fact that they are already incorporated into the Galatian assembly, and, in fact, have already turned some Gentile believers in their direction.  Paul is not fighting against foreign invaders.  He is fighting against a fifth column force.  What is the point of a leaven metaphor if the threat is not internal?

Paul’s use of the leaven metaphor also implies that the Galatian body does not perceive this leavening force as harmful or threatening.  Throughout Galatians Paul insists that this is a mistaken perception; that the believers in Galatia must see these suggestions of these influencers for what they are – a defection from the freedom granted in Christ.  But it seems abundantly clear that the Galatians do not see this threat.  In fact, it seems quite the opposite – that the pathway proposed by these men is beneficial and necessary.  Why would they think so if Paul has already instructed them otherwise (this is Paul’s claim)?  The answer is that the recipients of Paul’s (circular) letter to this particular kind of believer throughout Galatia were being persuaded by other members of the same congregations to comply with norms and standards in order to be recognized by these other members as full citizens of the Kingdom.  To be a citizen of the Kingdom was a worthy goal, therefore, there was significant appeal to the proposal.  But it happens that one of the steps required by these others was circumcision.  That means that the influencers are suggesting that in order to be full members in God’s house males must meet the circumcision requirement.  In other words, they must first become Jewish since circumcision was a crucial step in proselyte Judaism.  A Gentile who wanted full membership and access to the status and privileges granted full members was being instructed to follow the pathway of proselytes.

Paul strenuously objects!  In Paul’s view, full status as a member of the household of God is granted by God alone through His Son, Yeshua.  No additional steps are necessary!  Therefore, if believers accept the suggestions of the inside fifth column proponents, they will in effect be denying that God alone granted them full membership status.  If they do this, they will be denying what Yeshua died to establish – that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile within the Kingdom.  If Gentile believers accept these proposals, they will have introduced leaven into the bread, and the whole loaf will soon be changed.

Notice that there is no suggestion that the leaven is the Law!  It is not the Law that is the crux of this issue.  It is the same problem faced by the Jerusalem council and by Paul in other locations.  “How do Gentiles become members of the group?”  Paul answers, “By God’s election.”  Circumcision as an act of obedience for one who already follows is not an initiation rite.  There are no initiation rites in the new age of the Messiah.  But that does not entail that the Law has been abandoned.  It only means that stipulations of the Law are not entrance requirements.

It seems to me that the Church certainly understood half of what Paul said.  I do not have to be circumcised in order for God to adopt me.  That much we understand.  But the Church missed the other crucial element.  Even though there are no initiation requirements, there are post-initiation expectations.  I am expected to live according to a code of conduct so that I might demonstrate to the world that my life has been changed by the hand of God.  The Church threw out the baby with the bath water – and ever since it has attempted to build its own standards for conduct, with dismal results.

It might be worth asking yourself, “How much leaven do we have in our assembly?”  “How much have we changed the standards to accommodate the leaven instead of throwing out the leaven but keeping the unleavened bread?”  The threat is not the attack of the world.  It is the subtle alteration from inside for “good” reasons.

Topical Index:  Galatians 5:9, leaven, zyme, Law, circumcision