Paul shifted his tone sharply in verse 17. Earlier, he had been able to praise the Corinthians for holding on to specific teachings about worship (11:2), but now he declared, “I have no praise for you. For your meetings do more harm than good” (1 Corinthians 11:17, NLT). The problem? They had corrupted one of the most sacred parts of Christian worship—the Lord’s Supper. Instead of honoring Christ and building one another up, their actions were causing division and humiliation.
When they gathered for worship, Paul heard reports of divisions among them. While disagreements sometimes reveal who is truly faithful to Christ (v. 19), this was not such a case. Here, the divisions were rooted in pride, selfishness, and favoritism. In Corinth, the wealthier believers were arriving early to the meal, eating and drinking to excess, and leaving nothing for the poor. This turned what should have been a holy celebration into a display of selfishness. Paul said bluntly that such behavior meant they were not really eating “the Lord’s Supper” at all (v. 20).
In the first-century church, the Lord’s Supper often took place in the context of a larger fellowship meal, sometimes called a “love feast” (Acts 2:46). But in Corinth, this became an occasion for the rich to feast while the poor went hungry. Paul confronted them with piercing questions: “Don’t you have your own homes for eating and drinking? Or do you really want to disgrace God’s church and shame the poor?” (v. 22, NLT). Such behavior showed contempt for the very people for whom Christ died.
To correct them, Paul reminded them of what he had “passed on” to them directly from the Lord (v. 23). On the night he was betrayed, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (v. 24, NLT). In the same way, after supper, he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it” (v. 25, NLT).
The Lord’s Supper was—and is—a proclamation of the gospel: “For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again” (v. 26, NLT). This means it is both a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice and a visible witness to the world of His saving work.
But to take the Supper in an “unworthy manner” is to sin against the very body and blood of the Lord (v. 27). In Corinth’s case, the unworthiness was not about individual believers having unconfessed sin—it was about dishonoring the unity of the body by despising the poor. Paul urged them to examine themselves before participating (v. 28), recognizing the sacredness of the church and Christ’s sacrifice. Failure to do so could invite God’s discipline, which in Corinth had already resulted in sickness and even death among some members (v. 30).
The solution was practical but profound: wait for one another (v. 33). The wealthy should eat at home if they were hungry, so there would be enough for everyone. The Lord’s Supper was not just about bread and wine—it was about living out the gospel in how they treated one another. Celebrated rightly, it would honor Christ, protect unity, and proclaim the good news to the watching world.
Truths and Lessons for Today
1. The Lord’s Supper Is About Christ—and His Church
The Supper is not just a personal moment between you and Jesus; it is a corporate act meant to display unity in Christ.
🡲 Application: When you take communion, consider not only Christ’s sacrifice but also your relationships in the body. Is there anyone you need to forgive, honor, or serve?
📖 “For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are announcing the Lord’s death until he comes again.” (1 Corinthians 11:26, NLT)
2. How We Treat Others Is Part of Worship
The Corinthians’ sin was not just bad manners—it was a violation of the gospel. Disrespecting others in the church dishonors Christ Himself.
🡲 Application: Examine your life for ways you might be ignoring, overlooking, or devaluing fellow believers. Worship God by loving His people well.
📖 “If you really want to honor God’s church, you will wait for each other.” (1 Corinthians 11:33, NLT)
3. God Takes Unity and Holiness Seriously
The Lord’s Supper is not a casual ritual—it is sacred. Disunity, pride, and selfishness in this moment can bring God’s loving but severe discipline.
🡲 Application: Prepare for communion with humility and gratitude. Ask God to align your heart with His and your attitude toward others with Christ’s love.
📖 “If we would examine ourselves, we would not be judged by God in this way.” (1 Corinthians 11:31, NLT)
Get access to more commentary notes to assist you in your Bible study as soon as they are published by providing your email below.
Leave a Reply