1 Corinthians 10:16-17
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This isn't just about passively receiving communion; Paul frames it as an active, shared experience. By "blessing" the cup and "breaking" the bread, we're intentionally entering into a deep fellowship with Christ's very own blood and body.
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing the Corinthian church's struggles with idolatry and disunity, particularly their participation in pagan feasts. He's reminding them that their shared meal, the Lord's Supper, is a profound connection to Christ himself, not just a symbolic ritual. This stands in stark contrast to sharing in meals offered to idols, which he will explain further.
When we share communion, we're doing something far more profound than just remembering. It's about a real, spiritual connection.
Paul uses two powerful questions to unpack the significance of the Lord's Supper.
A Deeper Connection
He calls it the 'cup of blessing' and the 'bread that we break.' These aren't just ordinary elements; they are vehicles for a spiritual reality.
When we bless the cup and break the bread, we are, as Paul says, participating in something immense. The word he uses means to share in, to have a part of, to be united with.
Unity with Christ
This participation isn't just symbolic. It's a direct link to the sacrifice of Jesus. We are sharing in the blood of Christ – His poured-out life for our forgiveness. And we are sharing in His body – His very self, given for us.
This meal is a tangible sign and seal of our union with Christ, making His sacrifice powerfully present for us.
What does it mean to 'bless' the cup? It's more than just saying grace; it's an act that connects us to God's action.
Paul begins by asking, 'The cup of blessing that we bless...' This action of blessing is crucial.
Acknowledging God's Provision
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In Jewish tradition, blessing is an acknowledgment of God as the source of all good things. When the early church blessed the cup in the Lord's Supper, they weren't just giving thanks for the wine; they were acknowledging God's supreme blessing given through Christ's sacrifice.
The Spirit at Work
It signifies inviting God's presence and power into the act, recognizing that it is He who makes this meal so meaningful. This blessing transforms the ordinary elements into channels of God's grace, opening us up to receive the spiritual reality of Christ's body and blood.
Understand the original words
potērion · Greek Noun
A ritual vessel or the contents within, often associated with covenantal or symbolic significance. In a biblical context, it frequently represents one's portion or lot from God, whether of blessing or judgment.
eulogia · Greek Noun
An act of speaking well of God, acknowledging His goodness, or invoking His favor upon a person or object. In the context of the Eucharist, it signifies the setting apart of the cup for sacred use and covenantal remembrance.
koinōnia · Greek Noun
A term denoting communion, fellowship, partnership, or sharing in something. It implies an active, relational bond where participants share in the nature, benefits, or consequences of the object with which they are associated.
haima · Greek Noun
The shed blood of Jesus, symbolizing His sacrificial death for the atonement of sins. It is the foundation of the New Covenant, establishing reconciliation between God and humanity.
sōma · Greek Noun
The physical body of Christ, and by extension, the church as the mystical body of Christ. In the context of the Lord's Supper, it refers to the sacrifice of Jesus and the resulting unity of believers.
The Corinthian church was struggling with divisions and social status impacting their communal meals. Paul's words here are a powerful correction, reminding them that the Lord's Supper is not just a meal, but a profound spiritual reality that unifies believers in Christ's very body and blood.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul establishes a church in Corinth, a major Roman port city known for its trade and sometimes its immorality. He ministers here for about 18 months, laying the foundation for the community.
c. AD 53-55
Paul Writes from Ephesus
While ministering in Ephesus, Paul receives troubling reports about divisions and issues within the Corinthian church. This leads him to write his first letter to them.
c. AD 55
Paul Addresses Church Divisions
In his letter (1 Corinthians), Paul confronts deep-seated problems, including factions and a misunderstanding of Christian practices like the Lord's Supper.
c. AD 55— this verse
Paul Explains the Lord's Supper
To correct their misuse and misunderstanding of communion, Paul reiterates its meaning, emphasizing unity and participation in Christ's sacrifice.
Jesus speaks about eating his flesh and drinking his blood, emphasizing a deep, abiding connection for those who partake, mirroring the profound union Paul describes in communion.
Exodus 12:11This passage describes the Passover meal, where the lamb's blood was a sign of God's protective covenant, connecting the ancient ritual's 'participation' in God's deliverance to the new covenant participation through Christ's blood.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26Paul recounts the institution of the Lord's Supper, directly linking the bread and the cup to Jesus' body and blood, providing the foundational narrative for understanding the 'participation' mentioned here.
Romans 12:5This verse speaks about believers being 'one body in Christ,' highlighting the corporate unity achieved through faith that resonates with the idea of participating together in Christ's body and blood through the communion elements.
This isn't just about passively receiving communion; Paul frames it as an active, shared experience. By "blessing" the cup and "breaking" the bread, we're intentionally entering into a deep fellowship with Christ's very own blood and body.
Paul is addressing the Corinthian church's struggles with idolatry and disunity, particularly their participation in pagan feasts. He's reminding them that their shared meal, the Lord's Supper, is a profound connection to Christ himself, not just a symbolic ritual. This stands in stark contrast to sharing in meals offered to idols, which he will explain further.
Paul is addressing the Corinthian church's struggles with idolatry and disunity, particularly their participation in pagan feasts. He's reminding them that their shared meal, the Lord's Supper, is a profound connection to Christ himself, not just a symbolic ritual. This stands in stark contrast to sharing in meals offered to idols, which he will explain further.
"The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of…" — This isn't just about passively receiving communion; Paul frames it as an active, shared experience. By "blessing" the cup and "breaking" the bread, we're intentionally entering into a deep fellowshi…
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Last reviewed October 2026
