1 Corinthians 11:17
Now in this that I declare vnto you, I praise you not, that you come together not for the better, but for the worse. 1 Corinthians 11:17 (KJV)
In this verse the apostle Paul is addressing the Corinthian church and expressing his concern about their behaviour during their gatherings or meetings. To better understand the context it is helpful to explore the surrounding verses as well. In the preceding verses of 1 Corinthians 11 Paul discusses the topic of head coverings in worship, including instructions on appropriate conduct for men and women during prayer and prophecy, and he also discusses proper conduct during the Lord’s Supper or communion, providing instructions on how to approach this sacred event and emphasising the significance of doing so with reverence and unity. Verse 17 marks the beginning of Paul’s critique regarding their gatherings, where he states, “Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.” This statement indicates his disapproval of their actions and conduct during their assemblies. He explains that their coming together as a church was not resulting in positive outcomes (“not for the better”) but instead had negative effects (“for the worse”). While the specific details of their behaviour are not explicitly mentioned in this verse, Paul later highlights some of their problems, such as divisions, class distinctions, and disorderly conduct, in the subsequent verses of 1 Corinthians 11. It appears that their gatherings were marked by a lack of unity and love, and this hindered the purpose and significance of their communal worship. Paul’s intention in addressing this issue is to correct their behaviour and remind them of the importance of unity and proper conduct within the body of Christ. He desires that their gatherings be characterised by edification, mutual care, and a shared focus on the Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. Overall 1 Corinthians 11:17 serves as a reminder to believers to approach their gatherings with a sincere desire to honour God and build up one another. It encourages us to prioritise unity, love, and reverence, and to ensure that our actions during communal worship reflect these values.
