1 Corinthians 11:20
Now then, when you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat.
Now then
This phrase serves as a transition, indicating a shift in Paul's discourse. In the Greek, "οὖν" (oun) is often used to draw a conclusion or to emphasize a point. Here, Paul is addressing the Corinthian church with a sense of urgency and correction. Historically, the Corinthian church was known for its divisions and issues, and Paul is moving to address a specific problem related to their gatherings.

when you come together
The Greek word for "come together" is "συνέρχομαι" (synerchomai), which implies a communal gathering. In the early church, believers met regularly for worship, teaching, and fellowship. This phrase underscores the importance of unity and community in the Christian faith. The early church's gatherings were not just social events but were meant to be sacred assemblies where believers could encourage one another and grow in their faith.

it is not
This phrase is a direct negation, emphasizing that what follows is contrary to what should be happening. Paul is making a clear distinction between the intended purpose of their gathering and what is actually occurring. The use of "οὐκ" (ouk) in Greek is a strong negation, indicating that the Corinthians' actions are fundamentally flawed.

the Lord’s Supper
The term "Lord’s Supper" refers to the Christian practice of communion, instituted by Jesus during the Last Supper. The Greek term "Κυριακὸν δεῖπνον" (Kyriakon deipnon) highlights the sacredness of this meal, as it belongs to the Lord. Historically, the Lord’s Supper was a central part of early Christian worship, symbolizing the new covenant in Christ's blood and the unity of believers. It was a time for reflection, thanksgiving, and remembrance of Christ's sacrifice.

you eat
The act of eating in this context is not merely a physical act but a spiritual one. The Greek word "ἐσθίω" (esthio) is used here, which can mean to consume or partake. In the context of the Lord’s Supper, eating is an act of participation in the body of Christ. However, Paul is pointing out that the Corinthians' manner of eating does not reflect the sacredness of the Lord’s Supper. Instead, their actions have turned it into something profane, lacking the reverence and unity that should characterize this holy meal.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Paul the Apostle
The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing issues within the Corinthian church.

2. Corinthian Church
The recipients of the letter, a diverse and often divided early Christian community.

3. The Lord’s Supper
A sacred Christian rite commemorating Jesus' Last Supper with His disciples, intended as a time of unity and remembrance.

4. Corinth
A major city in ancient Greece, known for its wealth and moral challenges, influencing the church's behavior.

5. Early Christian Gatherings
Context for the passage, where believers met for worship, teaching, and communal meals.
Teaching Points
Understanding the Lord’s Supper
Recognize the sacredness and purpose of the Lord’s Supper as a time of remembrance and unity in Christ.

Correcting Misuse
Address any practices within the church that distort the meaning of the Lord’s Supper, ensuring it remains a true reflection of Christ’s sacrifice.

Promoting Unity
Encourage practices that foster unity and equality within the church, reflecting the communal nature of the early Christian gatherings.

Self-Examination
Use the Lord’s Supper as an opportunity for self-examination and repentance, aligning personal conduct with the teachings of Christ.

Community Focus
Emphasize the importance of coming together as a community, not just for ritual, but for genuine fellowship and mutual edification.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the context of Corinthian society influence the issues Paul addresses in 1 Corinthians 11:20?

2. In what ways can modern churches ensure that the Lord’s Supper remains a true reflection of its intended purpose?

3. How can the principles of unity and equality be better integrated into our church gatherings today?

4. What steps can individuals take to prepare their hearts and minds before participating in the Lord’s Supper?

5. How do the practices of the early church in Acts 2:42 inform our understanding of communal worship and fellowship today?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Matthew 26:26-28
Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, highlighting its significance as a covenant and remembrance of His sacrifice.

Acts 2:42
Early Christians devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, emphasizing unity and shared purpose.

1 Corinthians 10:16-17
Paul discusses the cup of blessing and the bread, symbolizing participation in the body of Christ, underscoring unity.

Hebrews 10:24-25
Encourages believers to meet together and spur one another on, reflecting the intended purpose of Christian gatherings.
The Lord's SupperJ.R. Thomson 1 Corinthians 11:20
The Lord's Supper a Showing ForthR. Tuck 1 Corinthians 11:20
A Spirit of Disunion in the ChurchJ. Lyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Abuse of the Lord's SupperM. Dods, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Charitable JudgmentsT. Fuller, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Despising the ChurchT.Fuller, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Divisions in the ChurchJ. Lyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Eating the Lord's SupperC. A. Bartol.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
HeresiesN. Emmons, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Heresies in the ChurchJ. Rogers, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
HeresyT. Fuller, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Heresy Manifesting TruthT. Fuller, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Ministerial Blame and CommendationT. Fuller, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Regard for the ChurchJ. A. Seiss1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Religious Institutions -- Their AbuseD. Thomas, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Some Hindrances to the Right Observance of the Lord's SupperE. Hurndall 1 Corinthians 11:17-22
The Abuse of the Means of Grace IsJ. Lyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
The Church: its Note of UniversalityN. Smyth, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
The Heavenly BanquetH. Bonar, D.D.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
The Love-Feast and the Lord's SupperF. W. Robertson, M.A.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Unprofitable Public WorshipB. Beddome, M.A.1 Corinthians 11:17-22
Special Consideration of the Lord's Supper; Uses of Self JudgmentC. Limpscomb 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
People
Corinthians, Judas, Paul
Places
Corinth
Topics
Assemble, Eat, Eating, Holy, However, Lord's, Meal, Meet, Possible, Supper, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Corinthians 11:17-22

     7925   fellowship, among believers

1 Corinthians 11:17-25

     7936   love feast

1 Corinthians 11:17-34

     4476   meals
     7028   church, life of

1 Corinthians 11:20-21

     4436   drinking, abstention
     5883   impatience
     5946   sensitivity
     7025   church, unity
     7933   Lord's Supper

1 Corinthians 11:20-22

     5775   abuse
     5879   humiliation
     5893   insults
     5896   irreverence

Library
Second Sunday Before Lent
Text: Second Corinthians 11, 19-33; 12, 1-9. 19 For ye bear with the foolish gladly, being wise yourselves. 20 For ye bear with a man, if he bringeth you into bondage, if he devoureth you, if he taketh you captive, if he exalteth himself, if he smiteth you on the face. 21 I speak by way of disparagement, as though we had been weak. Yet whereinsoever any is bold (I speak in foolishness), I am bold also. 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

'In Remembrance of Me'
'This do in remembrance of Me.'--1 COR. xi. 24. The account of the institution of the Lord's Supper, contained in this context, is very much the oldest extant narrative of that event. It dates long before any of the Gospels, and goes up, probably, to somewhere about five and twenty years after the Crucifixion. It presupposes a previous narrative which had been orally delivered to the Corinthians, and, as the Apostle alleges, was derived by him from Christ Himself. It is intended to correct corruptions
Alexander Maclaren—Romans, Corinthians (To II Corinthians, Chap. V)

The Danger of Deviating from Divine Institutions.
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." St. Paul was the apostle of the Gentiles. The care of the churches gathered among them devolved particularly on him. At the writing of this epistle he had no personal acquaintance with the church to which it is addressed.* Epaphras, a bishop of the Colossians, then his fellow prisoner at Rome, had made him acquainted with their state, and the danger
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

The Remembrance of Christ
The cause of this is very apparent: it lies in one or two facts. We forget Christ, because regenerate persons as we really are, still corruption and death remain even in the regenerate. We forget him because we carry about with us the old Adam of sin and death. If we were purely new-born creatures, we should never forget the name of him whom we love. If we were entirely regenerated beings, we should sit down and meditate on all our Saviour did and suffered; all he is; all he has gloriously promised
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 1: 1855

1 Corinthians xi. 26
For as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he come. When I spoke last Sunday of the benefits yet to be derived from Christ's Church, I spoke of them, as being, for the most part, three in number--our communion in prayer, our communion in reading the Scriptures, and our communion in the Lord's Supper; and, after having spoken of the first two of these, I proposed to leave the third for our consideration to-day. The words of the text are enough to show
Thomas Arnold—The Christian Life

Covenanting Recommended by the Practice of the New Testament Church.
The approved practice of the Church of God in Covenanting, is recommended to us by these two things,--that it displays a voluntary regard to his will, and that it exhibits his power accomplishing his purpose. The example of the people of God, while they walk in all his ordinances and commandments blameless, is a warranted motive to duty. "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ."[778] Their practice in the discharge of the duty of Covenanting, accordingly, is worthy of imitation. Were
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Meditations for the Sick.
Whilst thy sickness remains, use often, for thy comfort, these few meditations, taken from the ends wherefore God sendeth afflictions to his children. Those are ten. 1. That by afflictions God may not only correct our sins past, but also work in us a deeper loathing of our natural corruptions, and so prevent us from falling into many other sins, which otherwise we would commit; like a good father, who suffers his tender babe to scorch his finger in a candle, that he may the rather learn to beware
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

On the Babylonish Captivity of the Church on the Babylonish Captivity of the Church.
Jesus. Martin Luther, of the Order of St. Augustine, salutes his friend Hermann Tulichius. Whether I will or not, I am compelled to become more learned day by day, since so many great masters vie with each other in urging me on and giving me practice. I wrote about indulgences two years ago, but now I extremely regret having published that book. At that time I was still involved in a great and superstitious respect for the tyranny of Rome, which led me to judge that indulgences were not to be totally
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

Concerning the Lord's Supper
There are two passages which treat in the clearest manner of this subject, and at which we shall look,--the statements in the Gospels respecting the Lord's Supper, and the words of Paul. (1 Cor. xi.) Matthew, Mark, and Luke agree that Christ gave the whole sacrament to all His disciples; and that Paul taught both parts of it is so certain, that no one has yet been shameless enough to assert the contrary. Add to this, that according to the relation of Matthew, Christ did not say concerning the bread,
Martin Luther—First Principles of the Reformation

The Secret of the Lord
T. P. I Cor. xi. 9; Eph. v. 23 In the depths of His bright glory, Where the heavens rejoice, I have seen Him, I have known Him, I have heard His voice. He has told me how He sought me In the cloudy day, On the waste and lonely mountains Very far away. Words unutterable He speaketh, Words that none can tell; Yet, O Lord, Thy wondrous secret Knows my heart full well. I, in wonder and in silence, Listen and adore, Whilst the heart of God He tells me-- Whilst my cup runs o'er. Blessed light, within
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

(On the Mysteries. Iv. )
On the Body and Blood of Christ. 1 Cor. xi. 23 I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, how that the Lord Jesus, in the night in which He was betrayed, took bread, &c. 1. Even of itself [2445] the teaching of the Blessed Paul is sufficient to give you a full assurance concerning those Divine Mysteries, of which having been deemed worthy, ye are become of the same body [2446] and blood with Christ. For you have just heard him say distinctly, That our Lord Jesus Christ in the
St. Cyril of Jerusalem—Lectures of S. Cyril of Jerusalem

The Beatific vision.
Reason, revelation, and the experience of six thousand years unite their voices in proclaiming that perfect happiness cannot be found in this world. It certainly cannot be found in creatures; for they were not clothed with the power to give it. It cannot be found even in the practice of virtue; for God has, in His wisdom, decreed that virtue should merit, but never enjoy perfect happiness in this world. He has solemnly pledged himself to give "eternal life" to all who love and serve him here on earth.
F. J. Boudreaux—The Happiness of Heaven

If Anyone Shall Despise those who Out of Faith Make Love-Feasts and Invite the Brethren...
If anyone shall despise those who out of faith make love-feasts and invite the brethren in honour of the Lord, and is not willing to accept these invitations because he despises what is done, let him be anathema. Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon XI. Whoso spurns those who invite to the agape, and who when invited will not communicate with these, let him be anathema. There are few subjects upon which there has been more difference of opinion than upon the history and significance of the Agape or Love-feasts
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

That by Men who are Fasting Sacrifices are to be Offered to God.
That by men who are fasting sacrifices are to be offered to God. That the Sacraments of the Altar are not to be celebrated except by those who are fasting, except on the one anniversary of the celebration of the Lord's Supper; for if the commemoration of some of the dead, whether bishops or others, is to be made in the afternoon, let it be only with prayers, if those who officiate have already breakfasted. Notes. Ancient Epitome of Canon XLI. The holy mysteries are not offered except by those who
Philip Schaff—The Seven Ecumenical Councils

Entering the Gospel Field
During the seven years that had elapsed since my call to preach the gospel, years in which God had so wonderfully taught me and so gently led me, I never doubted my call. By the help and grace of God I had been able to live pleasing to the Lord, and throughout the entire time had no knowledge of his condemnation or displeasure. I was still engaged to the young man of whom I have already spoken; and after my healing, began to make preparations for the wedding. I was fully submitted to the Lord on
Mary Cole—Trials and Triumphs of Faith

Second Sunday in Lent
Text: First Thessalonians 4, 1-7. 1 Finally then, brethren, we beseech and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as ye received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, even as ye do walk,--that ye abound more and more. 2 For ye know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye abstain from fornication; 4 that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in the passion of lust,
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

Tenth Sunday after Trinity Spiritual Counsel for Church Officers.
Text: 1 Corinthians 12, 1-11. 1 Now, concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. 2 Ye know that when ye were Gentiles ye were led away unto those dumb idols, howsoever ye might be led. 3 Wherefore I make known unto you, that no man speaking in the Spirit of God saith, Jesus is anathema [accursed], and no man can say, Jesus is Lord, but in the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. III

A Question for Communicants
"What mean ye by this service?"--Exodus 12:26. IN A SPIRITUAL religion, everything must be understood. That which is not spiritual, but ritualistic, contents itself with the outward form. Under the Jewish dispensation, there was a very strong tendency in that direction; but it was kept to some extent in check. Under the Christian faith, this tendency must not be tolerated at all. We must know the meaning of what we do; otherwise we are not profited. We do not believe in the faith of the man who was
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 38: 1892

He Accuses Abaelard for Preferring his Own Opinions and Even Fancies to the Unanimous Consent of the Fathers, Especially Where He Declares that Christ did Not
He accuses Abaelard for preferring his own opinions and even fancies to the unanimous consent of the Fathers, especially where he declares that Christ did not become incarnate in order to save man from the power of the devil. 11. I find in a book of his sentences, and also in an exposition of his of the Epistle to the Romans, that this rash inquirer into the Divine Majesty attacks the mystery of our Redemption. He admits in the very beginning of his disputation that there has never been but one conclusion
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Second State of Prayer. Its Supernatural Character.
1. Having spoken of the toilsome efforts and of the strength required for watering the garden when we have to draw the water out of the well, let us now speak of the second manner of drawing the water, which the Lord of the vineyard has ordained; of the machine of wheel and buckets whereby the gardener may draw more water with less labour, and be able to take some rest without being continually at work. This, then, is what I am now going to describe; and I apply it to the prayer called the prayer
Teresa of Avila—The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus

From the Latin Translation of Cassiodorus.
[3712] I.--Comments [3713] On the First Epistle of Peter. Chap. i. 3. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who by His great mercy hath regenerated us." For if God generated us of matter, He afterwards, by progress in life, regenerated us. "The Father of our Lord, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" who, according to your faith, rises again in us; as, on the other hand, He dies in us, through the operation of our unbelief. For He said again, that the soul never returns a second
Clement of Alexandria—Who is the Rich Man that Shall Be Saved?

The Loftiness of God
ISAIAH lvii. 15. For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy, I dwell in the high and holy place; with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. This is a grand text; one of the grandest in the whole Old Testament; one of those the nearest to the spirit of the New. It is full of Gospel--of good news: but it is not the whole Gospel. It does not tell us the whole character
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

Of Preparation.
That a Christian ought necessarily to prepare himself before he presume to be a partaker of the holy communion, may evidently appear by five reasons:-- First, Because it is God's commandment; for if he commanded, under the pain of death, that none uncircumcised should eat the paschal lamb (Exod. xii. 48), nor any circumcised under four days preparation, how much greater preparation does he require of him that comes to receive the sacrament of his body and blood? which, as it succeeds, so doth it
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

Rules to be Observed in Singing of Psalms.
1. Beware of singing divine psalms for an ordinary recreation, as do men of impure spirits, who sing holy psalms intermingled with profane ballads: They are God's word: take them not in thy mouth in vain. 2. Remember to sing David's psalms with David's spirit (Matt. xxii. 43.) 3. Practise St. Paul's rule--"I will sing with the spirit, but I will sing with the understanding also." (1 Cor. xiv. 15.) 4. As you sing uncover your heads (1 Cor. xi. 4), and behave yourselves in comely reverence as in the
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

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