17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.
In regards to the Lords supper Paul considers the celebration that the Corinthian church introduced was doing more harm than good. There were divisions amongst them in regards to the celebration of the Lords supper, which Paul outlines in the next several verses.
20So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat,21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!
Paul reveals that some in the church had food to eat while others didn’t, that those who were rich would eat together and neglect those who had none, and they would do this to humiliate those who had nothing.
23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Paul recounts what Jesus did on the day of his betrayal, Jesus showed the disciples what was to happen to him by symbolically representing the body and blood of Christ that was to be given up for them. They were to continue to break bread and drink from the cup from this day forward to remember the very moment of his death.
27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.
Paul tells those who partake in the Lord’s supper that when they do, they should do so in a worthy manner because of the Lord’s suffering for their sins, they should examine in themselves areas of repentance to bring to God. In this way they won’t just be celebrating a feast without considering the reason for it and what was endured for them. Those of them who aren’t recognizing the body and blood that was shed for them bring judgement on themselves when they partake in the meal. It shouldn’t be taken lightly or considered as just another meal, but should represent to the one eating and drinking that they are in communion with God due to Christ’s suffering. Evidently, the appearance of sickness, weakness, and falling asleep in their faith, was now amongst them because of their improper use of the Lord’s supper. However Paul states in v32 that although they were judged by God in this manner, they are being disciplined so that they know how to properly approach his supper.
33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment. And when I come I will give further directions.
Paul concludes that all people attending the church at Corinth should partake of the Lord’s supper together, not leaving anyone out, or dividing amongst themselves between rich and poor, those who have and those who don’t have food.
Filed under: 1 Corinthians, Apostle Paul, Bible study, Christianity, God, Jesus, lords supper, New Testament, Scripture
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