Meaning of 1 Corinthians 11:20

When Paul states, "So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat" (1 Corinthians 11:20), he is expressing profound disappointment and condemnation of the Corinthians' practice. This is not a statement of outright denial that they are performing some kind of meal, but rather an assertion that their current actions have so perverted the sacred institution of the Lord's Supper that it no longer resembles or fulfills its intended spiritual purpose, thus failing to be the Lord's Supper in any meaningful sense. The context is a detailed rebuke of their communal meals, which have devolved into occasions of division, gluttony, and social injustice, directly contradicting the unity and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice that the Supper is meant to embody.

Context and Background

The Corinthian church was a vibrant, yet deeply flawed, community. They were gifted in spiritual matters but struggled with practical application and unity. In chapter 11, Paul addresses two main issues: the conduct of women in worship and the abuses surrounding the Agape feast, which was often conflated with or preceded the celebration of the Lord's Supper. The wealthy members were arriving early, consuming their own provisions, and leaving the poorer members, who might have had to work longer or bring less, with nothing. This created social stratification and a lack of communal sharing, directly opposing the spirit of the Lord's Supper.

Key Themes and Messages

The primary themes here are unity, remembrance, and reverence.

• Unity: The Lord's Supper is a visible expression of the unity believers share in Christ, a unity that transcends social and economic divisions. The Corinthians were actively undermining this unity.
• Remembrance: The Supper is a memorial of Christ's atoning sacrifice. Their behavior, focused on self-indulgence and social hierarchy, demonstrated a profound forgetfulness of the self-giving love of Christ.
• Reverence: The act of partaking in the Lord's Supper is meant to be done with deep respect for its sacred nature and the sacrifice it represents. The Corinthians' actions were characterized by a lack of reverence, leading Paul to declare they were "guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord" (1 Cor. 11:27).

Spiritual Significance and Application

Spiritually, this verse serves as a stark warning against allowing worldly concerns and divisions to corrupt sacred ordinances. It highlights that the manner in which a sacrament is observed is as critical as the act itself. The Lord's Supper is not merely a ritualistic meal but a profound spiritual communion that calls for self-examination, repentance, and a renewed commitment to love and unity within the body of Christ. Applying this to contemporary life means ensuring that our communal worship, including communion, is characterized by genuine fellowship, inclusivity, and a deep awareness of Christ's sacrifice, rather than social exclusivity or superficial participation.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This passage is deeply embedded in the narrative of God's redemptive plan. The Lord's Supper, instituted by Jesus himself at the Last Supper, is the New Covenant memorial, a fulfillment of Old Testament sacrificial practices. Just as the Passover lamb's blood protected Israel, Christ's blood, signified in the Supper, offers redemption. The Corinthians' failure to partake worthily is a rejection of the New Covenant's implications for communal life and love, a theme woven throughout the New Testament, particularly in the teachings of Jesus regarding love for one another and the apostles' emphasis on the church as the unified body of Christ.

Analogies

One analogy to understand this is a family gathering where a cherished tradition, meant to foster connection and remembrance, is instead marred by arguments over seating arrangements, hoarding of food, and exclusion of certain family members. The essence of the tradition is lost, and the gathering becomes a source of shame rather than joy and unity. Another analogy is a wedding feast where the focus shifts from celebrating the union of the couple to showcasing the wealth and status of the guests, thus disrespecting the solemnity and purpose of the occasion.

Relation to Other Verses

This verse directly relates to other passages concerning the Lord's Supper, such as:

• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26: Paul recounts the institution of the Supper by Jesus, emphasizing remembrance of His death.
• 1 Corinthians 11:27-29: This passage elaborates on the need for self-examination before partaking, lest one eat and drink judgment upon themselves.
• John 13:34-35: Jesus' commandment to love one another as He has loved them, a prerequisite for being His disciples, directly underpins the communal aspect Paul addresses.
• Galatians 3:28: The declaration that in Christ, there is "neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus," underscores the unity that the Corinthians were violating.