1 Corinthians 11:28-29
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The verse doesn't just say to examine yourself before you eat; it commands you to then eat, implying that self-examination is part of the very act of communion. This isn't about earning your way in, but about approaching the sacred meal with a clear conscience and a humble heart, so that its benefits are truly received.
Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing a serious issue in the Corinthian church: their Communion gatherings had become chaotic and divisive, turning a sacred meal into a free-for-all. He's just explained how this disrespectful behavior dishonors Christ's body and blood, and now he's calling them to a moment of personal reflection before participating in the Lord's Supper. This self-examination is crucial to ensure they approach the bread and cup with the reverence and unity it deserves.
The Apostle Paul doesn't just tell us to do communion, he tells us how to prepare for it. What does it mean to 'examine yourself' before taking the Lord's Supper?
Paul's instruction in 1 Corinthians 11:28 is a direct call to introspection. It's not about achieving perfection, but about a honest assessment of our hearts. This examination is crucial because the Lord's Supper is a profound act of remembrance and participation.
Why Examine?
The Lord's Supper isn't just a ritual; it’s a powerful symbol. Paul uses a strong word to describe what we must do before partaking: 'discern'. What does that really mean?
The Greek word Paul uses for 'discern' (diakrino) here implies a critical judgment, a distinguishing between things. In the context of 1 Corinthians 11, it means recognizing the unique, sacred significance of the bread and the wine.
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What Are We Discerning?
Simply going through the motions misses the spiritual depth Paul intends. It’s about understanding what you are doing and who you are doing it with.
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.
diakrinō · Greek Verb
To distinguish, judge, or differentiate between things; in this context, it refers to the spiritual ability to recognize the sacred nature of the Church as the Body of Christ in the context of the ordinance.
krima · Greek Noun
A legal or divine verdict, often implying the consequences of one's actions, whether disciplinary or retributive, coming from God.
Paul's instruction to 'examine himself' before participating in the Lord's Supper directly addresses the scandalous divisions and disrespect that had infected this sacred meal in the Corinthian church, urging personal accountability over communal chaos.
c. AD 50-52
Paul Founds Church in Corinth
The Apostle Paul establishes a church in the bustling, cosmopolitan city of Corinth, a major Roman hub known for its wealth and vice.
c. AD 53-57— this verse
Paul Writes First Letter to Corinthians
While in Ephesus, Paul hears reports of disunity and various problems within the Corinthian church, prompting him to write this letter.
Early 1st century AD
Lord's Supper Practiced by Corinthian Church
The early church regularly gathered to share a meal commemorating Jesus' last supper, a practice that had become distorted in Corinth.
Early 1st century AD
Abuse of the Agape Meal
The communal meal (agape) held before or during the Lord's Supper in Corinth was marked by divisions, greed, and drunkenness, overshadowing its sacred meaning.
This passage immediately precedes 1 Corinthians 11 and speaks of the 'cup of blessing' and the 'bread' as communion with Christ, reinforcing the importance of worthy participation.
2 Corinthians 13:5Paul urges the Corinthians to 'test yourselves' and 'examine yourselves' to see if they are in the faith, a similar call to self-reflection before a communal act.
Psalm 26:2The Psalmist cries out, 'Test me, O Lord, and try me; examine my heart and my mind!' showing a deep desire for God's scrutiny as a foundation for integrity, mirroring Paul's call for self-examination.
1 John 1:8-9This passage speaks to the ongoing need for confession and self-assessment regarding sin, which is crucial for maintaining a right relationship with God and partaking worthily in communion.
The verse doesn't just say to examine yourself before you eat; it commands you to then eat, implying that self-examination is part of the very act of communion. This isn't about earning your way in, but about approaching the sacred meal with a clear conscience and a humble heart, so that its benefits are truly received.
Paul is addressing a serious issue in the Corinthian church: their Communion gatherings had become chaotic and divisive, turning a sacred meal into a free-for-all. He's just explained how this disrespectful behavior dishonors Christ's body and blood, and now he's calling them to a moment of personal reflection before participating in the Lord's Supper. This self-examination is crucial to ensure they approach the bread and cup with the reverence and unity it deserves.
Paul is addressing a serious issue in the Corinthian church: their Communion gatherings had become chaotic and divisive, turning a sacred meal into a free-for-all. He's just explained how this disrespectful behavior dishonors Christ's body and blood, and now he's calling them to a moment of personal reflection before participating in the Lord's Supper. This self-examination is crucial to ensure they approach the bread and cup with the reverence and unity it deserves.
"Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself." — The verse doesn't just say to examine yourself before you eat; it commands you to then eat, implying that self-examination is part of the very act of communion. This isn't about earning your way…
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Last reviewed October 2026
