Meaning of 1 Corinthians 11:27

This verse from 1 Corinthians 11:27 warns believers about approaching the Lord's Supper, also known as communion or the Eucharist, with an improper attitude or disposition. Paul is addressing a situation in Corinth where the communal meal associated with the Lord's Supper had become divisive and disrespectful, leading some to partake in a manner that dishonored Christ and the fellowship of believers. To eat or drink "in an unworthy manner" does not refer to personal sinfulness in general, as all believers are sinners, but rather to a conduct that is irreverent, self-serving, or contemptuous of the sacred significance of the meal and the sacrifice it represents. Such an approach renders one "guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord," meaning they are sinning against the very person and atoning work of Jesus Christ, whose sacrifice is memorialized in the bread and the cup.

Context and Background

The Corinthian church was plagued by internal divisions and social disparities. In their gatherings for the Lord's Supper, the wealthy would often begin eating and drinking without waiting for the poorer members, leading to a situation where some were well-fed and others went hungry (1 Corinthians 11:20-22). This behavior demonstrated a lack of discerning the "body" of Christ, not just in the symbolic elements of the bread and cup, but also in the unity of the church, which is the body of Christ. Paul's instruction is a corrective measure to restore reverence and proper order to this sacred ordinance.

Key Themes and Messages

• Reverence for the Sacred: The Lord's Supper is not a mere meal but a solemn commemoration of Christ's atoning sacrifice. Approaching it with casualness or disrespect is a grave offense.
• Discernment of the Body: This refers to recognizing the true significance of the bread and wine as representing Christ's body and blood, and also to recognizing the unity of believers as the body of Christ.
• Unity and Love: The divisive behavior in Corinth directly contradicted the spirit of unity and love that should characterize the church, especially during communion.
• Accountability: Partaking unworthily has serious spiritual consequences, incurring guilt against Christ himself.

Spiritual Significance and Application

For believers today, this verse calls for introspection and self-examination before participating in communion. It encourages a conscious effort to approach the table with a heart humbled by God's grace, mindful of Christ's sacrifice, and in fellowship with fellow believers. It's a reminder that communion is a corporate act of worship, demanding unity and love within the church. Unworthiness, therefore, is characterized by attitudes and actions that fracture this unity or demonstrate a lack of appreciation for Christ's sacrifice.

Relation to the Broader Biblical Narrative

This passage is deeply rooted in the Old Testament sacrificial system, where proper observance and reverence were paramount. The New Testament concept of the Lord's Supper is the fulfillment of these earlier sacrifices, a memorial of the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus. The emphasis on discerning the body also connects to the New Testament teaching on the church as the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:1-16), highlighting the importance of corporate unity in Christ.

Analogies

• A Royal Banquet: Imagine being invited to a banquet hosted by a king. To attend in rags, to behave rudely, or to insult the king would be to treat the occasion and the host with profound disrespect, rendering one unworthy of the invitation.
• A Wedding Feast: Attending a wedding feast with hostility towards the bride or groom, or with a spirit of division among the guests, would mar the joy and significance of the occasion.
• A Military Ceremony: Approaching a sacred military ceremony of remembrance with disrespect or indifference would be an insult to the fallen soldiers and the principles they fought for.

Relation to Other Verses

• 1 Corinthians 11:23-26: These verses provide the immediate context, detailing the institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus.
• 1 Corinthians 11:28: This verse directly follows, instructing believers to "examine themselves" before eating and drinking.
• 1 Corinthians 11:29: This verse explains why examination is necessary: to avoid bringing judgment upon oneself.
• Matthew 26:26-28: These Gospels record Jesus' institution of the Lord's Supper.
• John 6:53-56: Jesus speaks about the necessity of eating his flesh and drinking his blood, which is understood spiritually as believing in him and partaking in his atoning sacrifice.
• 1 Corinthians 12: This chapter elaborates on the concept of the church as the body of Christ, emphasizing unity and the interdependence of its members.