1 Corinthians 11:24-25
and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus emphasizes that His body is given for you, making the act of communion a deeply personal and sacrificial exchange, not just a ritual. The command to "do this in remembrance of me" isn't just about recalling an event, but about actively participating in the ongoing reality of His sacrifice and love for us.
Paul is addressing a serious issue in the Corinthian church: their gatherings for the Lord's Supper had become disorderly and even disrespectful, exposing deep divisions among them. Before this verse, he reminds them of Jesus' own words and actions at the Last Supper, highlighting the sacred origins and intended meaning of this communion. This instruction to "do this in remembrance of me" directly follows Jesus' institution of the bread, which represents his body given for them.
Jesus doesn't just hand out bread; He gives thanks first. What does this tell us about His perspective, even in the face of His imminent suffering?
A Grateful Heart in a Difficult Moment
The verse begins with Jesus giving thanks before breaking the bread. This isn't a minor detail! In the original Greek, the word for 'thanks' points to a deep, heartfelt expression of gratitude to God.
Think about the weight of the moment: Jesus knows what's coming. Yet, His immediate response is not despair or anger, but thankfulness.
This teaches us that even when life is hard, and suffering is before us, we can still approach God with gratitude. Our thanks isn't dependent on our circumstances, but on who God is.
Jesus calls the bread 'my body, which is for you.' What does this 'for you' truly signify in the context of His sacrifice?
Radical Self-Giving
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The phrase 'which is for you' is incredibly powerful. It’s not just a symbolic statement; it points to the purpose of His body.
Jesus is identifying the bread with His own physical body, soon to be broken on the cross. This isn't an abstract concept; it's about His very life, His very being, being given up as a sacrifice.
This sacrifice is for us. It's a gift of redemption, reconciliation, and new life offered through His death. The bread represents this immense, personal act of love and substitution.
Jesus commands us to 'Do this in remembrance of me.' What kind of remembrance is He asking for, and why is it so vital?
A Living, Active Remembrance
The word Jesus uses for 'remembrance' isn't just about recalling a past event. It's a deeper, active remembering that shapes our present and future.
It's a remembrance that:
This command isn't a passive duty; it's an invitation to continually engage with the saving work of Christ, allowing it to transform us.
Understand the original words
sōma · Greek Noun
The physical flesh and blood nature of Christ, offered as a sacrifice for the atonement of sins; the bread in the ordinance represents this sacrificial gift.
anamnēsin · Greek Noun
A memorial or calling to mind; in a biblical sense, it is an active, ongoing engagement with the past saving work of God so that its significance is present in the current life of the believer.
diathēkē · Greek Noun
A solemn agreement or relationship established by God with His people, ratified by the shedding of blood; it signifies a new relationship based on grace and the finished work of Christ.
haima · Greek Noun
The vital, life-giving essence of a living being; in the context of the New Covenant, it represents the life of Christ poured out in His atoning death for the forgiveness of sins.
The Lord's Supper was instituted by Jesus himself at a pivotal moment, and Paul's instruction to the Corinthians shows how this practice quickly became a central, meaningful ritual for early Christians grappling with unity and remembrance.
c. AD 30— this verse
Jesus' Last Supper with Disciples
Jesus institutes the Lord's Supper during Passover week, the night before his crucifixion, giving it new meaning.
c. AD 30-33
Jesus' Crucifixion and Resurrection
The central event of Christian faith, Jesus dies and rises again, fulfilling prophecies and atoning for sin.
c. AD 33 onwards
Spread of the Early Church
The disciples, empowered by the Holy Spirit, begin spreading the gospel throughout Jerusalem and beyond.
c. AD 40s-50s
Paul's Missionary Journeys
Paul travels extensively, establishing churches and teaching about Jesus, including in Corinth.
c. AD 50
Founding of the Corinthian Church
Paul establishes a church in the bustling, cosmopolitan city of Corinth, facing unique challenges.
c. AD 55
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul addresses divisions, doctrinal errors, and practical issues within the Corinthian church.
This passage records Jesus' institution of the Lord's Supper, echoing the very words Paul recounts here about the bread representing his body.
Mark 14:22Similar to Matthew, Mark's Gospel also includes Jesus' declaration that the bread is his body, providing another witness to this foundational moment.
Luke 22:19Luke's account further corroborates the words spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper, emphasizing the 'do this in remembrance of me' command.
1 Corinthians 10:16Paul elaborates on the meaning of communion here, explaining how participation in the bread and cup signifies our fellowship with Christ's body and blood.
Jesus emphasizes that His body is given for you, making the act of communion a deeply personal and sacrificial exchange, not just a ritual. The command to "do this in remembrance of me" isn't just about recalling an event, but about actively participating in the ongoing reality of His sacrifice and love for us.
Paul is addressing a serious issue in the Corinthian church: their gatherings for the Lord's Supper had become disorderly and even disrespectful, exposing deep divisions among them. Before this verse, he reminds them of Jesus' own words and actions at the Last Supper, highlighting the sacred origins and intended meaning of this communion. This instruction to "do this in remembrance of me" directly follows Jesus' institution of the bread, which represents his body given for them.
Paul is addressing a serious issue in the Corinthian church: their gatherings for the Lord's Supper had become disorderly and even disrespectful, exposing deep divisions among them. Before this verse, he reminds them of Jesus' own words and actions at the Last Supper, highlighting the sacred origins and intended meaning of this communion. This instruction to "do this in remembrance of me" directly follows Jesus' institution of the bread, which represents his body given for them.
"and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as ofte…" — Jesus emphasizes that His body is given for you, making the act of communion a deeply personal and sacrificial exchange, not just a ritual. The command to "do this in remembrance of me" isn't just…
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