1 Corinthians 11:20
When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Corinthians 11:20
When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse hits hard because Paul isn't just saying they're doing the Lord's Supper wrong; he's saying their current practice isn't it at all. The deep insult isn't just a mistake, but a complete failure to embody what the meal is meant to signify – unity in Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul is addressing serious divisions and disorder within the Corinthian church, particularly during their gatherings for worship. Before this verse, he’s been recounting Jesus' institution of the Lord's Supper and contrasting it with how the Corinthians are behaving. This specific verse highlights how their self-centered actions have turned what should be a sacred communion into something quite different, even dishonoring to Christ.
Paul calls out the Corinthian church for their gatherings. What's the big deal? It wasn't just about a meal being messy; it was about missing the point of the Lord's Supper entirely.
Missing the Mark at the Table
When Paul writes "When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat," he's pointing out a fundamental disconnect. The Corinthians were treating the Lord's Supper, a sacred ordinance instituted by Christ, like any other potluck. They were coming together, but their actions revealed they weren't honoring the 'Lord' in the 'Lord's Supper.'
What Went Wrong?
The Lord's Supper isn't just a tradition; it's a powerful, living memorial. The Corinthians had reduced it to a mere meal, forgetting the profound sacrifice it represents.
Remembering What Matters
The core issue Paul addresses is the Corinthians' forgetfulness. They forgot who the Supper was for and why it was instituted.
A Sacred Reminder
Jesus said, "Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). This wasn't a casual suggestion. The bread and wine are tangible symbols pointing to:
Understand the original words
kyriakon deipnon · Greek Noun Phrase
The ordinance instituted by Christ during his final meal with his disciples, representing His body and blood given for the atonement of sins, serving as a sign of the new covenant.
The Corinthian church, a young and diverse community, struggled with unity and reverence. Their wealthy members were turning the Lord's Supper into exclusive banquets, missing the profound spiritual significance Paul emphasizes.
c. AD 33
Pentecost and the Early Church
The Holy Spirit empowers the first believers in Jerusalem, leading to the birth of the Christian church and the establishment of practices like communal meals and sharing.
c. AD 49-50
Council of Jerusalem
A major decision is made regarding the inclusion of Gentiles in the church, clarifying that they do not need to follow all Mosaic Law, impacting church structure and practice across diverse communities.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul founds the church in Corinth and spends significant time there, addressing numerous issues that arise from this diverse and often tumultuous city.
c. AD 55— this verse
Paul writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul addresses serious divisions and behavioral problems within the Corinthian church, including issues concerning the Lord's Supper, spiritual gifts, and morality.
Paul emphasizes that participation in the Lord's supper is a sharing in Christ's body and blood, directly linking the act of communion to a spiritual reality that the Corinthian church was missing.
1 Corinthians 11:22This verse immediately follows, highlighting the Corinthians' focus on worldly concerns and their own individual meals, which contrasted sharply with the self-giving love signified by the Lord's Supper.
1 Corinthians 11:27-29Paul warns that partaking unworthily, without discerning the body of Christ and showing respect for the sacred meal, brings judgment, underscoring the seriousness of their misapprehension of the supper's meaning.
Galatians 3:28This verse speaks to the unity and equality in Christ that should characterize the community, a unity that the Corinthians were failing to uphold during their gatherings for the Lord's Supper.
This verse hits hard because Paul isn't just saying they're doing the Lord's Supper wrong; he's saying their current practice isn't it at all. The deep insult isn't just a mistake, but a complete failure to embody what the meal is meant to signify – unity in Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul is addressing serious divisions and disorder within the Corinthian church, particularly during their gatherings for worship. Before this verse, he’s been recounting Jesus' institution of the Lord's Supper and contrasting it with how the Corinthians are behaving. This specific verse highlights how their self-centered actions have turned what should be a sacred communion into something quite different, even dishonoring to Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul is addressing serious divisions and disorder within the Corinthian church, particularly during their gatherings for worship. Before this verse, he’s been recounting Jesus' institution of the Lord's Supper and contrasting it with how the Corinthians are behaving. This specific verse highlights how their self-centered actions have turned what should be a sacred communion into something quite different, even dishonoring to Christ.
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When the Corinthians focused on their own appetites and social standing, they blurred the powerful, sacrificial meaning of Jesus’ death. Their meal became about them, not about Him.
c. AD 55
Disputes over the Lord's Supper
Paul confronts the Corinthians for turning the sacred meal into divisive social gatherings, where the wealthy ate and drank before the poor, dishonoring Christ's body and the communal nature of the Supper.
"When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat." — This verse hits hard because Paul isn't just saying they're doing the Lord's Supper wrong; he's saying their current practice isn't it at all. The deep insult isn't just a mistake, but a complete…