Galatians 5:9 says, "A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” This is what Paul is saying as he is talking to the church of Galatia. At first glance, this is a really odd saying. Not many use this phrase or way of thought in the modern day.
Since we don't know what this phrase means, it can be helpful to learn what it means in order to help us in our overall knowledge of God's Word.
Learning God's Word is what ultimately helps us in our everyday lives, and we never need to underestimate the power it has in our walk with the Lord.
Similar to all the books of the Bible, it is best to know the surrounding context of the passage in order to know what the main verse means. It is best not to cherry-pick verses because then you won't be able to fully understand the passage.
Cherry-picking or sermonizing passages can cause a faulty meaning to be presented to yourself as well as others. This is why it is important to read these passages in their context in order to know what the writer is referring to as well as the message he is trying to get across to the readers.
Understanding Galatians 5:9
Through understanding the surrounding context, we will be able to understand Galatians 5:9 itself. In the two verses prior to Galatians 5:9, Paul states, "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you to keep you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you" (Galatians 5:7-8).
From these verses, we can see Paul is addressing his concern that the Galatians had been cut off from obeying the truth.
The Galatians were running a good race and were obeying the truth until lies and falsehood had snuck into their midst. Paul tells them that this kind of persuasion doesn't come from God. Rather, that kind of persuasion comes from the world.
Right after Paul says this, he says a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough (Galatians 5:9).
What Paul is referring to here is that just as a little amount of yeast works through the whole batch of dough, a little bit of hypocrisy, lies, or falsehood can sneak into the church and ruin the whole batch of dough, or in this case, the entire family of believers in the church of Galatia.
We have further clarity on this truth when Paul says that the person who is throwing them into confusion will pay the penalty (Galatians 5:10).
Clearly, the person who was trying to throw the church into confusion was preaching that all male believers had to be circumcised when, in truth, they don't (Galatians 5:11-12).
The topic of circumcision was very popular during Paul's time and something that would come up often.
Many false teachers were trying to claim that in order for a person to be saved, they had to be circumcised. This wasn't true then, and it isn't true now.
Paul stated the truth that he was preaching the truth of salvation through knowing Christ — not a salvation of works or things you had to do in order to be saved. The truth is that salvation is only based on placing faith in Jesus.
Jesus tells us Himself that if we believe in Him, we will have eternal life (John 3:16-17). Nowhere does Jesus tell believers they have to be circumcised in order to be saved.
Circumcision was an Old Testament practice, but it was one that was not required for salvation. Whether a person was already circumcised or not when he came to know Christ, he should remain whatever he was when the Lord called him.
It is likely that circumcision wasn't the only false teachings being taught to the church of Galatia, as Paul is adamant to tell them to watch themselves closely.
Working Through a Batch of Dough
Other Bible versions and translations interpret Galatians 5:9 to be "a little leaven leavens the whole lump." There again, the same meaning rings true. No matter what translation or version of the Bible you are using, the same meaning is true.
Paul is telling the Galatians that just as a little bit of yeast or leaven can work its way into the whole batch or the whole lump, a little bit of hypocrisy or false teaching can also work its way into our hearts.
As believers, we need to watch our steps closely. Put on the full armor of God in order for you to be able to stand (Ephesians 6:10-18). Read the Bible, study it, and go to God in prayer.
Through doing all these things and educating yourself on the truth of the Bible, you will be able to identify hypocrisy, falsehood, and lies.
While your whole church might not be affected, you will face many attacks in your own life from people trying to spread falsehood. This can also be seen in the form of doubting your salvation.
Most believers have doubted their salvation at one point in their life, and it is not abnormal. It doesn't mean there is anything wrong with you at all. I also have struggled with doubts at times, and in this way, I have noticed how a little bit of yeast can work through a whole batch of dough.
This small doubt had the ability to eat up everything I knew to be true in the Bible. This shows us the severity of how much a small doubt, lie, or falsehood can detail us in our walk with the Lord.
Watch out for these things in your life and pay them no attention. Continue on in your walk with Christ and say no to the things that are not true. When you are in doubt, turn to the Bible.
Many people will try to say certain things are in the Bible when they are not. Be knowledgeable about the Bible and be able to call these lies out. Not only will you help yourself, but you will also help other people who may have been led astray.
The devil and his demons love to cause problems, but you don't have to let them. Talk back to the doubts and go to God in prayer.
If you are ever in doubt about something a pastor, friend, or another person close to you says about the Bible, always weigh it against what the Bible actually says.
You will be able to dismiss many false teachers by taking this step, and you will be able to help others turn away from false teachings.
What Does This Mean?
Thus, "a little leaven leavens the whole lump" refers to the truth that a small amount of falsehood or untruth can spread quickly in someone's heart or in the body of believers.
It is our responsibility as believers to be aware of these things and be able to combat them when the time comes. Educate yourself and learn all you can about the Bible. Learning and knowledge of the Bible is useful for the present day as well as in the life to come.
For further reading:
What Does the Bible Say about the Feast of Unleavened Bread?
Why Is Leavened Bread Forbidden During Passover?
What Does the Bible Warn about False Prophets?
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