For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Corinthians 11:21
What does 1 Corinthians 11:21 mean?
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1 Corinthians 11:21
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What's easy to miss here is the stark contrast between the communal meal God intended and the selfish individualism Jesus' followers had fallen into. It wasn't just about having something to eat; it was about the radical act of sharing, which was completely absent, leading to a painful divide where some were left wanting while others indulged excessively.
For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing divisions and disorder within the Corinthian church, specifically during their communal meals that were meant to be expressions of unity. People were arriving at different times, leading some to gorge themselves while others, perhaps arriving late or from poorer backgrounds, were left with nothing. This behavior was a stark contradiction to the spirit of Christ and was causing shame and disunity among believers.
Imagine showing up to a potluck where some people feast while others leave hungry. That's exactly what was happening in the Corinthian church during their gatherings.
The early church often combined the Lord's Supper with a shared meal, a practice called the "agape feast" or "love feast." It was meant to be a powerful symbol of unity and fellowship in Christ.
A Feast of Division
However, in Corinth, this sacred event had devolved into something shameful. Instead of a communal celebration, people were prioritizing their own desires and social status. The wealthy arrived early, eating their fill and even drinking to excess, leaving nothing for the poorer members who arrived later or couldn't bring their own food. This wasn't just poor etiquette; it was a profound failure to live out the gospel.
Reclaiming the Symbol
Paul calls them out because this behavior completely undermined the meaning of the Lord's Supper. It was supposed to proclaim their unity in Christ, but their actions proclaimed division and disregard for one another. They were literally eating and drinking judgment upon themselves because they weren't discerning the Body of Christ – both the symbolic bread and wine and the actual body of believers present.
The physical hunger and drunkenness described here aren't just about bellies and beverages; they're powerful metaphors for deeper spiritual issues.
Paul uses stark contrasts to expose the spiritual sickness within the Corinthian community.
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Physical Needs, Spiritual Neglect
When some went hungry, it revealed a lack of care and generosity – a failure to love their neighbor as themselves. When others got drunk, it pointed to self-indulgence and a lack of self-control, putting personal pleasure above the sacredness of the occasion and the needs of others.
Discerning the Lord's Body
This isn't just about sharing food; it's about discerning the 'Body of Christ.' Paul connects this directly in the following verses. The way they treated each other at this meal was a direct reflection of their understanding (or lack thereof) of Christ's sacrifice and their identity as His unified body. Their selfish actions showed they weren't truly recognizing Christ's presence or the community He intended to build.
The Corinthians were treating the sacred meal like a common potluck, highlighting a serious disconnect between their faith and their actions, which Paul sought to correct.
c. AD 50-52
Paul Founds Church in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spends about 18 months establishing the Christian community in this bustling Roman port city, a hub of commerce and culture.
c. AD 55
Division and Dysfunction in Corinth
Paul hears reports of serious problems within the church, including divisions, moral issues, and disputes over spiritual gifts, prompting him to write his first letter.
c. AD 55— this verse
The Lord's Supper Disrupted
In their gatherings for the Lord's Supper, wealthier members arrive early and consume their own food and drink, leaving little or nothing for the poorer believers who arrive later.
c. AD 55
Paul Addresses Selfishness
Paul directly confronts the Corinthians for their behavior, reminding them that their gatherings should be characterized by unity and mutual consideration, not individual indulgence.
c. AD 55
Instruction on Worthy Participation
He provides a profound theological explanation of the Lord's Supper's meaning and instructs them on how to participate in a way that honors Christ and builds up the community.
This passage warns against using freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, directly paralleling the self-serving actions described in 1 Corinthians 11:21.
1 Corinthians 10:24Paul directly advises believers to 'seek the good of the other person,' which contrasts sharply with the individualistic and inconsiderate behavior in the Corinthian church.
James 2:15-16This passage highlights the failure of practical love when someone is in need, similar to how the Corinthians were neglecting the hungry among them during their gatherings.
Philippians 2:3-4This speaks to the ideal Christian attitude of looking not to our own interests but to the interests of others, providing a positive model against the self-centeredness seen in 1 Corinthians 11.
What's easy to miss here is the stark contrast between the communal meal God intended and the selfish individualism Jesus' followers had fallen into. It wasn't just about having something to eat; it was about the radical act of sharing, which was completely absent, leading to a painful divide where some were left wanting while others indulged excessively.
Paul is addressing divisions and disorder within the Corinthian church, specifically during their communal meals that were meant to be expressions of unity. People were arriving at different times, leading some to gorge themselves while others, perhaps arriving late or from poorer backgrounds, were left with nothing. This behavior was a stark contradiction to the spirit of Christ and was causing shame and disunity among believers.
Paul is addressing divisions and disorder within the Corinthian church, specifically during their communal meals that were meant to be expressions of unity. People were arriving at different times, leading some to gorge themselves while others, perhaps arriving late or from poorer backgrounds, were left with nothing. This behavior was a stark contradiction to the spirit of Christ and was causing shame and disunity among believers.
"For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk." — What's easy to miss here is the stark contrast between the communal meal God intended and the selfish individualism Jesus' followers had fallen into. It wasn't just about having something to eat; i…
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Last reviewed October 2026