Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Corinthians 11:28
What does 1 Corinthians 11:28 mean?
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1 Corinthians 11:28
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The verse doesn't just tell us to examine ourselves, but that this examination is the necessary step before partaking. It’s saying that the very act of self-reflection is what makes the meal truly communion, not just a symbolic snack.
Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing a serious issue in the Corinthian church: their communion services had become chaotic and divisive, with some people being excluded and others getting drunk. He's urging them to get their act together, emphasizing that this sacred meal is meant to be a unified expression of Christ's body, not a source of further division. So, before partaking in communion, each person needs to honestly assess their heart and relationship with God and their brothers and sisters.
Ever feel a bit awkward or unsure before taking communion? Paul addresses this directly, giving us a clear reason for looking inward.
Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 11:28 isn't about finding perfection before approaching God; it's about alignment and awareness.
What Are We Examining?
It's a call to honest reflection on our heart's condition: our faith, our relationship with God, and our relationships with others, especially within the community. Are we participating in a way that honors Christ and His sacrifice, or are we approaching this sacred meal with unconfessed sin, division, or a casual disregard for its significance?
It's About Worthiness, Not Perfection
This isn't a barrier to keep people away, but a preparation to help believers engage meaningfully. It's about discerning the body of Christ, both the elements and the community, and ensuring our participation is a true act of worship and remembrance.
The word 'then' is small but powerful. It shows a direct connection between our inner reflection and our outward act of worship.
Paul doesn't just tell us to look inward; he commands us to then participate in the Lord's Supper. This 'then' is crucial. It signifies that the self-examination isn't an end in itself, but a vital precursor to a worthy response.
A Responsive Worship
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Our participation in communion is meant to be a responsive act – a response to God's grace revealed in the bread and the cup. If our examination reveals a disconnect, a need for repentance, or a lack of understanding, the 'then' implies we should address those things before partaking in a way that truly honors the sacrifice.
Moving Forward in Faith
It's about moving from awareness to action. If we find sin, we repent. If we find doubt, we seek faith. If we find division, we pursue reconciliation. Only then do we properly receive the symbols of Christ's broken body and shed blood.
Understand the original words
dokimazō · Greek Verb
To test, scrutinize, or put to the proof; in a spiritual sense, it refers to self-reflection and inner assessment of one's relationship with God and the body of believers.
The early church struggled with how to properly observe the Lord's Supper, turning it into divisive social events. Paul's instruction for self-examination highlights the need for humility and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, not just social gathering.
c. AD 50-52
Paul's Ministry in Corinth
The Apostle Paul spent about 18 months in Corinth, establishing the church and teaching them.
c. AD 53-55— this verse
Paul's Letter to the Corinthians
Paul writes his first letter to the church in Corinth from Ephesus, addressing various issues they were facing, including their practices during the Lord's Supper.
c. AD 56
Subsequent Letters and Visit
Paul likely visited Corinth again and may have sent another letter (the 'severe letter') to address ongoing problems.
This passage speaks about the 'cup of blessing' and the 'bread' we break, directly linking it to the Lord's Supper mentioned in 1 Corinthians 11. It emphasizes our participation and unity in Christ's body and blood.
2 Corinthians 13:5Paul urges the Corinthians to 'test yourselves' and 'examine yourselves' to see if they are 'in the faith.' This echoes the call for self-examination before participating in the Lord's Supper, ensuring their faith is genuine.
Lamentations 3:40In a moment of deep sorrow, Jeremiah calls for 'let us test and examine our ways, and turn back to the LORD.' This highlights the importance of honest self-reflection and repentance as a pathway back to God, a principle mirrored in preparing for communion.
1 John 1:8-9John states, 'If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' This underscores the necessity of acknowledging our sinfulness, a prerequisite for the worthy self-examination called for in 1 Corinthians 11:28.
The verse doesn't just tell us to examine ourselves, but that this examination is the necessary step before partaking. It’s saying that the very act of self-reflection is what makes the meal truly communion, not just a symbolic snack.
Paul is addressing a serious issue in the Corinthian church: their communion services had become chaotic and divisive, with some people being excluded and others getting drunk. He's urging them to get their act together, emphasizing that this sacred meal is meant to be a unified expression of Christ's body, not a source of further division. So, before partaking in communion, each person needs to honestly assess their heart and relationship with God and their brothers and sisters.
Paul is addressing a serious issue in the Corinthian church: their communion services had become chaotic and divisive, with some people being excluded and others getting drunk. He's urging them to get their act together, emphasizing that this sacred meal is meant to be a unified expression of Christ's body, not a source of further division. So, before partaking in communion, each person needs to honestly assess their heart and relationship with God and their brothers and sisters.
"Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup." — The verse doesn't just tell us to examine ourselves, but that this examination is the necessary step before partaking. It’s saying that the very act of self-reflection is what makes the meal trul…
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Last reviewed October 2026