1 Corinthians 11:20

When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.

1 Corinthians 11:20 (KJV)

Context

Paul wrote this first letter to the Corinthians to address problems in their church, and this section deals with the proper observance of the Lord’s Supper. In the preceding verses, he rebukes them because their gatherings do more harm than good: there are divisions and factions, some indulge themselves while others go hungry and are humiliated. This behavior contradicts the purpose of the Supper, which is to commemorate Jesus’ sacrifice and to express unity among believers.

Meaning

In verse 20, Paul makes a striking correction: when the Corinthians come together “into one place,” their meeting is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. The Greek phrase translated “into one place” (epi to auto) emphasizes not just a physical location but the unity of the people assembling. Their conduct—selfishness, divisions, and disregard for one another—had so corrupted the meal that it no longer truly was the Lord’s Supper. They were treating it as a common meal, lacking reverence for Christ’s sacrifice and the unity it symbolizes.

The Lord’s Supper was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper, where He took bread and the cup, giving thanks and instructing His disciples to remember Him (1 Corinthians 11:23-25).

Biblical connections

This passage connects to the broader teaching that participating in the Supper unworthily brings judgment (1 Corinthians 11:27-32). Paul calls believers to self-examination and to discern the Lord’s body—that is, to recognize both the significance of Christ’s death and the unity of the church. Divisions and cliques contradict the very nature of the Supper, which proclaims the Lord’s death until He comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Application

For believers today, this verse is a warning against treating the sacred ordinance carelessly. It calls us to approach the Lord’s Supper with reverence, ensuring that our gatherings reflect unity and love, not selfishness or division. Before partaking, we should examine our hearts and our relationships with fellow believers, so that our coming together truly is to eat the Lord’s Supper.

Reflection

How do we prepare our hearts when we come to the Lord’s Table? Do we come with humility, gratitude, and a commitment to unity, or do we allow distractions and divisions to diminish the meaning of this sacred meal? Let us remember that the Supper is a solemn remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice, and let us approach it with the reverence it deserves.