1 Corinthians 11:26

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.

1 Corinthians 11:26 (KJV)

Context

Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to address problems in the Corinthian church, including their conduct at the Lord’s Supper. In 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, he corrects abuses and reminds believers of the Supper’s true meaning. This verse forms the heart of that instruction, explaining why the church continues to observe this ordinance.

Meaning

The bread and the cup are not ordinary elements. They are received according to Christ’s institution, representing his body given and his blood shed for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26-28). When believers eat and drink, they “shew the Lord’s death”—the word means to proclaim or announce. This is not merely a private remembrance; it is a public, repeated declaration of the central fact of the gospel: Christ died for our sins.

The phrase “till he come” sets the duration of this practice. The Supper is a continuing memorial, observed by the church until Jesus returns. It looks backward to the cross and forward to his coming again in glory.

Biblical connections

This verse connects the Lord’s Supper to the institution of the Passover and to Christ’s own words at the Last Supper. It also echoes the gospel proclamation that believers are to remember Christ’s death until he returns. The elements do not become the actual body and blood of Christ; they are a means of proclaiming his sacrificial death.

Application

Participation in the Lord’s Supper is a serious act of worship. It requires self-examination and reverence, as Paul urges in the surrounding passage. Each time we partake, we are making a public statement of faith in Christ’s death and our hope in his return. This should lead us to approach communion with gratitude, humility, and anticipation.

Reflection

Every celebration of the Lord’s Supper is both a testimony and a promise. It testifies that Jesus died for our sins and promises that he will come again. Let this verse encourage you to participate in communion with a heart that remembers the cross and longs for the King.