Read the Passage: 1 Corinthians 11:17–34

Listen to the Redeemed Mind Podcast: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Distortion (11:17–22)

In 1 Cor. 11:17–34 Paul changes the topic from head coverings to the observance of the Lord’s Supper. In the early church, when believers were gathered together, it was usual for the church to enjoy a common meal, later referred to as “love feasts” (Jude 12). These meals were then followed by the observance of the Lord’s Supper. Apparently Paul had learned that when the church in Corinth was assembled for these meals, some were getting drunk, and the poor were being neglected. In 1 Cor. 11:18–19 Paul mentions certain factions in the church, which differed from the sinful divisions he addressed at 1 Cor. 1:10–17; 3:1–4. Whereas the earlier groups were the result of pride and immaturity, these later factions were caused by accepting or rejecting truth. At 1 Cor. 11:19 Paul acknowledged these divisions in the church, for he recognized that correct doctrine will always separate truth from error.

In 1 Cor. 11:20–22 Paul points out the importance of right motives when observing the Lord’s Supper. While the believers in Corinth would likely have claimed that they were honoring God both in their love feasts and at the communion table, on account of their sinful behavior, Paul declares, “When you come together in one place, it is [in effect] not to eat the Lord’s Supper” (1 Cor. 11:20). Next, at 1 Cor. 11:21–22, Paul specifies the sins of those partaking in the common meal, which were: gluttonous eating, neglecting the hungry, becoming drunk, despising the church, and shaming the poor. Paul’s incredulity is evident as he asks, “What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in” (1 Cor. 11:22). Here Paul was not implying that it is okay to commit these sins in their personal houses; rather, he was saying that if the peoples’ goal was to indulge themselves, it would be better for them to stay home.

Institution (11:23–26)

Having confronted the church about their distortion of the Lord’s Supper, at 1 Cor. 11:23–26 Paul explains the importance of the communion table. Observe, the Gospels narrate Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper at Matt. 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; and Luke 22:19–20 (cf. John 6:53–58; 13:2). Yet, at 1 Cor. 11:23 Paul claims that he received instructions about the Lord’s Supper directly “from the Lord” (cf. Gal. 1:11–12). This makes sense if, as most scholars believe, 1 Corinthians was penned before the Gospels were recorded. At 1 Cor. 11:24–25 Paul explains that in regard to both the bread and the cup, the Lord’s Supper is about remembering Jesus. Thus, the communion table is about looking backward. Yet, in 1 Cor. 11:26 Paul also explains that through the Lord’s Supper the gospel is proclaimed in the present and that this meal looks forward to Christ’s return.

Examination (11:27–34)

Since the institution of the Lord’s Supper is narrated in the Gospels, there is no new information in Paul’s record about the establishment of the communion table in 1 Cor. 11:23–26. However, in 1 Cor. 11:27–34, Paul provided instructions not found in the Gospels about preparing oneself to partake of the Lord’s Supper. Here Paul writes that to participate in the communion table in an unworthy manner makes one “guilty of the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Cor. 11:27). Of course, in a general sense, everyone is guilty of the sins for which Christ died; yet, in a specific sense, Paul is referring here to the sin of neglecting or misjudging the sacredness of the Lord’s Supper. Indeed, to treat lightly or to view with indifference the communion table is to do the exact opposite of what the ceremony intends. Such a mindset dishonors Christ and effectively mocks His sacrifice.

At 1 Cor. 11:30 Paul explains that the results of distorting the Lord’s Supper can be quite severe, as he writes, “For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep [or are dead].” These consequences, notes Paul, are divine chastisement, and ought to move us to “judge ourselves [so that] we would not be judged [by God]” (1 Cor. 11:31). By way of practice for the church in Corinth, Paul instructs that when they assemble for their love feasts and observance of the Lord’s Supper, they were to “wait for one another” (1 Cor. 11:33) and, if they were hungry, they were “to eat at home” (1 Cor. 11:34). These preventative measures would keep the erring members from gluttonous eating and from neglecting the poor and hungry. Paul notes that while he had already taught them about the Lord’s Supper (cf. 1 Cor. 11:23), he would “set the rest in order” (1 Cor. 11:34) when he arrived in Corinth.

Application Questions:

1. Have you ever seen the Lord’s Supper being distorted, or otherwise improperly observed, in the church?
2. Have you ever experienced division in the church that was caused by the rejection of truth or the acceptance of error?
3. As you have observed the Lord’s Supper, which aspect of Jesus’ work has been most emphasized: past, present, or future?
4. What are some signs that one might be approaching the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner?
5. How often ought the Lord’s Supper to be observed by the church? Should churches resume the practice of love feasts?