“When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.”– 1 Corinthians 11:20 (KJV)
“When you meet together, you are not really interested in the Lord’s Supper.”– 1 Corinthians 11:20 (NLT)
“Since that is exactly what you are doing, you aren’t really celebrating the Lord’s Supper.”– 1 Corinthians 11:20 (MSG)
What Does 1 Corinthians 11:20 Mean?
In this verse, the Apostle Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, a community that was facing many challenges in its understanding and practice of Christian teachings. The specific issue raised here relates to how they were partaking in the Lord’s Supper. The Lord’s Supper, or communion, is a sacred tradition established by Jesus during the Last Supper. In Corinth, however, it had become corrupted. The community was gathering but their focus was misplaced. They were using the occasion to indulge themselves rather than engage in meaningful communion with Christ and one another. Paul is essentially pointing out that the way they were approaching the supper wasn’t what Jesus wanted for His followers.
When Paul says that when they come together in one place, they are not truly eating the Lord’s Supper, he is calling the congregation to reflect on their motives and attitudes. Are we approaching communion with reverence and a spirit of unity? He emphasizes that the communal meal should center around Christ, but in Corinth, it had devolved into a feast where social class divisions were stark and the message of love and unity in Christ was being lost. This serves as a relevant reminder for us today. In all our spiritual practices, including communion, we must always keep our focus on the true purpose behind the act—celebrating Christ’s sacrifice and fostering unity among believers.
1 Corinthians 11:20 Explanation and Commentary
The commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:20 involves understanding not only what Paul is saying but also the broader implications of his message. Paul is addressing a significant issue in the Corinthian church that is relevant even in contemporary Christian communities. The church is a gathering of believers; it’s not just a group of individuals coming together but a body meant to reflect unity in Christ. When Paul questions their approach to the Lord’s Supper, he’s emphasizing that our actions should mirror the essence of Christ’s teachings.
In practice, this translates to how we interact during communion. Are we truly reflecting Jesus’ love and sacrifice in our participation? Or are we getting caught up in cultural norms that separate and divide us? Paul highlights the need for self-examination before approaching the Lord’s Supper. He encourages us to come prepared and with the right heart. We must remember that communion is a moment to reconnect with God and with each other. If we approach it divided, with selfish motivation, we miss out on the blessing it offers.
We could reflect on Matthew 5:23-24, where Jesus instructs that we should reconcile with our brother or sister before offering our gift at the altar. The message is clear—our relationships with one another significantly impact our relationship with God. If we come to communion harboring grievances or divisions, we need to address those issues instead. This insight pushes us toward a lifestyle of unity and reconciliation.
Paul’s ultimate intent in this passage is to realize that communion is about remembering and proclaiming the Lord’s death until He returns (1 Corinthians 11:26). It is a beautiful practice that reinforces our faith in Jesus, yet how we partake can make all the difference. If our hearts are not in the right space, we can distort the meaning of such a significant event. We should come to this practice ready to truly represent Christ’s love to one another and the world.
Context of 1 Corinthians 11:20
To fully comprehend 1 Corinthians 11:20, understanding its context within the letter Paul wrote to the Corinthians is vital. Corinth was a bustling city known for its diverse population and surrounding influences of various philosophies, idol worships, and social divides. This melting pot created challenges within the Christian community as they tried to maintain their new identity in Christ and navigate their differences.
In this specific context, Paul addresses their practice of the Lord’s Supper. The church had a strong disconnection between the rich and the poor, leading to situations where the wealthy would feast while the poor went without during communion. The original intent of this meal was to remember Jesus’ sacrifice and promote unity, but it had turned into a feast demonstrating socio-economic disparities. Paul counters this by calling them to reflect on their behaviors. This disunity was not just a social flaw; it was a spiritual crisis. The act of communion was getting muddied with behaviors that contradicted the gospel.
This social tension reflected wider cultural issues at play, and Paul needed to tackle these with grace but also with firm instruction. He reminded them that the gospel doesn’t just save but also transforms. In Christ, divisions of sexuality, gender, social class, and racial identities fade away to create unity in faith. Galatians 3:28 beautifully encapsulates this concept by stating that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female. In the practice of communion, we should be living out that inklings of unity among us.
With all of that, Paul demonstrates how vital it is to approach the Lord’s table with readiness that reflects our relationship with Jesus and each other. This context serves not only as a critique of their actions but as an invitation to live in community that mirrors Jesus’ love.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of 1 Corinthians 11:20
Breaking down the key parts of 1 Corinthians 11:20 helps us appreciate its depth. At its core, this verse highlights the disconnect between the act of gathering and the purpose of communion. Their coming together was nothing short of a social gathering that lacked the sacredness it deserved. Paul is making it clear that more than just attending a meal, it is crucial to acknowledge and embrace the meaning behind it. We, too, can immense ourselves in different gatherings that might overlook the intended purpose if we are not mindful.
This leads us to examine our gatherings as a church and as a body of believers. Are our meetings solely focused on worship? Do we recognize that each activity is an opportunity to promote God’s love? Paul points out that the Corinthians missed the point of this sacred act. The implication here is that our church meetings, prayer gatherings, or even fellowship events need to focus not just on the activities themselves but on their spiritual significance. Our community life should reveal Christ’s unity, not expose our divisions.
Paul’s choice of language in “to eat the Lord’s supper” further emphasizes the solemn and sacred nature that it carries. When we participate, we are commemorating Christ’s sacrifice, breaking bread together in remembrance of Him. Yet, if our gatherings fall into a pattern of familiarity and lack reverence, we then miss the sacredness intended behind the act. Communion is more than just an event; it’s an invitation to recognize Christ’s presence among us and to bring us together with a common goal of glorifying Him.
We must reflect on our motivations, ensuring they align with those of Christ. Just as Paul faced the issue in Corinth, we too might experience moments where our gatherings risk degenerating into mere social occasions rather than spiritual experiences. This reminder is especially powerful for us as a community—we need to cultivate a culture that respects the significance of gathering and participating in communion, celebrating it as a rite filled with deep meaning and connection.
Lessons to Learn From 1 Corinthians 11:20
From 1 Corinthians 11:20, several lessons emerge that we can deeply consider as we navigate our faith communities today. The first lesson is the importance of unity. Paul’s admonition serves as a clear warning against allowing social divides or personal conflicts to overshadow the spirit behind communal practices. When we gather as one body under Christ, our differences should not create barriers, but rather should showcase how God’s love unites us regardless of background or identity. Each time we partake in communal meals or worship, we must reinforce the idea that we are one in Christ.
Secondly, we see the value of preparation. Before we engage in communion, we are encouraged to evaluate our hearts and relationships with others. This principle relates back to what Jesus taught in Matthew; presenting our offerings with reconciled hearts should take precedence. As we prepare for communion, we should take time to reflect on our relationships within the faith community and address any unresolved issues. This act of preparation allows us to approach the table appropriately, enhancing our connection not just with Jesus but also with fellow believers. It strengthens our collective experience of worship together.
Another lesson reflects on intentionality. Paul challenges us to move beyond routine or tradition when approaching sacred acts like communion. We should intentionally engage in the truth and meaning behind each gathering. Our reminders of Christ’s sacrifice should lead us to also reflect on how we live that truth out in our daily lives. Communion is a powerful opportunity for commitment renewal—commitment to love, serve, and support one another in our walks with Christ.
As we reflect on these lessons, we recognize that we are invited into a deeper relationship with Christ and our fellow believers. By embodying unity, preparing our hearts, and remaining intentional, we create a culture that honors the presence of God in our midst and reflects His love in tangible ways. We have the potential to bring authentic transformation to our communities when we take these lessons to heart.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, 1 Corinthians 11:20 resonates with vital truths that can shape our faith journeys and interactions within our communities. Paul’s call for the Corinthian church pushes us to examine our own hearts concerning how we participate in the Lord’s Supper and other communal gatherings. This scripture encourages us to prioritize unity, readiness, and intentionality regarding our communal practices.
Let us take time in our lives to examine how we approach communion. Are we truly engaging with the meaning behind the act? Are we drawing closer to one another as we move closer to Christ? Communion is not merely a routine event; it is a profound reminder of our shared faith, commitment, and purpose as followers of Jesus. The invitation from Paul extends beyond the Corinthian church into our lives—calling us to ensure that our gatherings honor Christ’s sacrifice and enrich our communal faith experience.
As we seek to explore more about how to live out the principles of love and unity in our communities, we can also engage with other biblical passages to deepen our understanding. Join us as we look into Acts 14:24, Acts 14:23, and Joshua 10:10 for more inspiring lessons that shape our lives as believers.