1 Corinthians 11:29-32
For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The original Greek word translated as "discerning" here actually carries a deeper meaning than just "recognizing." It implies truly understanding and valuing the significance of what's happening – specifically, the body of Christ, both in its literal meaning related to Jesus' sacrifice and its symbolic meaning in the unity of the church. So, it's not just about knowing it's bread and wine, but about knowing what it represents and treating it with the profound reverence it deserves, lest we bring judgment upon ourselves by our careless disregard.
This passage is part of Paul's larger discussion about the Lord's Supper and how the Corinthian church was mismanaging it. Before this verse, Paul details the disorder and division occurring during their gatherings, with people eating and drinking to excess, and the wealthy not sharing with the poor. The verse that follows emphasizes the need for proper self-examination before partaking, highlighting the spiritual danger of treating this sacred meal lightly.
When we gather for communion, are we just going through the motions? Paul reminds us there's a profound reality we're engaging with.
Paul isn't just talking about the physical elements of bread and wine. He's talking about the body of Christ. This refers to Jesus' own body, broken for us, and also to the church, His living body on earth. To 'discern the body' means recognizing both the sacrifice of Jesus and the unity of believers as one body, bought with His blood.
Eating and drinking 'without discerning' means approaching the Lord's Supper in a way that dishonors Jesus and dismisses the significance of His sacrifice and the community He has called us into.
Paul uses strong language about 'judgment.' What does this mean for us today when we celebrate communion?
The 'judgment' Paul speaks of isn't necessarily eternal damnation, but a present discipline from God. It’s a loving, though sometimes severe, correction meant to bring us back to Himself and protect the integrity of His people.
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When we fail to discern the body, we essentially treat Jesus' sacrifice as ordinary, and we disregard the sacred bond of unity within the church. This disconnect from the reality of the Lord's Supper brings spiritual consequences – perhaps a lack of spiritual vitality, inner turmoil, or even physical sickness, as seen in the broader context of 1 Corinthians 11.
Understand the original words
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.
astheneis · Greek Adjective
Refers to physical lack of strength, sickness, or a state of being feeble; biblically, physical illness can sometimes be associated with divine discipline or spiritual realities.
arrōstoi · Greek Adjective
Refers to physical sickness or lack of health; in the New Testament, it is used to describe both ordinary physical ailments and conditions related to divine discipline.
diakrinō · Greek Verb
To evaluate, discern, or investigate with the intent of reaching a verdict. In a spiritual context, it involves self-examination to identify and repent of sin before God's discipline occurs.
paideuō · Greek Verb
To instruct, train, or correct, often through corrective punishment or trials. It is the action of a father toward a child, intended for moral and spiritual improvement rather than final destruction.
katakrinō · Greek Verb
To be found guilty and sentenced to punishment, specifically the eternal judgment of God. It signifies the final adverse verdict that separates the unrepentant from God's presence.
kosmos · Greek Noun
The collective body of humanity apart from God’s redemptive covenant. It denotes the sphere of those who are estranged from God, dominated by sin, and subject to final divine judgment.
Paul's strong words about discerning the body stem from a real-world problem: the Corinthians were mismanaging their communal meals, turning them into sources of division rather than unity in Christ.
c. AD 50-52
Paul Founds Church in Corinth
The Apostle Paul establishes the church in Corinth, a major Roman port city known for its wealth and moral laxity. He spends about 18 months here, laying the foundation for the community.
c. AD 53-55— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
While in Ephesus, Paul hears about divisions and problems within the Corinthian church. He writes this letter to address these issues and guide their spiritual growth.
Early 1st century AD
Common Christian Agape Meals
Churches often held 'love feasts' (agape meals) that combined fellowship and the Lord's Supper. These were important community gatherings but prone to disorder.
1st century AD
Disputes Over Status and Wealth
Social stratification was stark in the Roman world, and this likely spilled into the Corinthian church, leading to divisions and unequal participation in gatherings.
This passage directly precedes our verse and explains that partaking in the Lord's Supper is a sharing in the body and blood of Christ, highlighting the 'discerning the body' aspect.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26These verses recount the institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus Himself, emphasizing the remembrance of His body and blood, which is central to discerning the meaning of the sacrament.
1 Corinthians 11:17-22This section describes how the Corinthian church was misusing the Lord's Supper, turning it into a regular meal and causing division, which is the very backdrop against which Paul warns about discerning the body.
Romans 14:13Although about different issues, Paul's instruction here to 'judge nothing' prematurely and his emphasis on not causing a brother to stumble resonates with the idea of careful consideration and discernment in communal practices.
The original Greek word translated as "discerning" here actually carries a deeper meaning than just "recognizing." It implies truly understanding and valuing the significance of what's happening – specifically, the body of Christ, both in its literal meaning related to Jesus' sacrifice and its symbolic meaning in the unity of the church. So, it's not just about knowing it's bread and wine, but about knowing what it represents and treating it with the profound reverence it deserves, lest we bring judgment upon ourselves by our careless disregard.
This passage is part of Paul's larger discussion about the Lord's Supper and how the Corinthian church was mismanaging it. Before this verse, Paul details the disorder and division occurring during their gatherings, with people eating and drinking to excess, and the wealthy not sharing with the poor. The verse that follows emphasizes the need for proper self-examination before partaking, highlighting the spiritual danger of treating this sacred meal lightly.
This passage is part of Paul's larger discussion about the Lord's Supper and how the Corinthian church was mismanaging it. Before this verse, Paul details the disorder and division occurring during their gatherings, with people eating and drinking to excess, and the wealthy not sharing with the poor. The verse that follows emphasizes the need for proper self-examination before partaking, highlighting the spiritual danger of treating this sacred meal lightly.
"For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged…" — The original Greek word translated as "discerning" here actually carries a deeper meaning than just "recognizing." It implies truly understanding and valuing the significance of what's happening –…
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