1 Corinthians 11:27
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
1 Corinthians 11:27 (KJV)
Context
In 1 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul corrects problems in the Corinthian church’s observance of the Lord’s Supper. The word “Wherefore” at the start of verse 27 draws a conclusion from the preceding verses, where Paul recounts the institution of the Supper by the Lord Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The bread represents Christ’s body, and the cup represents the new covenant in His blood. Partaking of the Supper proclaims the Lord’s death until He comes. Because the elements represent Christ’s body and blood, and because the ordinance is meant to remember Him and show forth His death, eating the bread or drinking the cup in an unworthy manner makes one guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
Meaning
The phrase “unworthily” does not mean that any person is inherently worthy of such an ordinance; rather, it describes the manner of partaking. An unworthy manner includes partaking ignorantly, without knowing the nature, use, and design of the ordinance; irreverently, lacking reverence for the majesty of Christ, who is both the author and subject of the ordinance; without faith in Christ, the bread of life; or unthankfully, without a grateful sense of the love of God in the gift of His Son. Such actions demonstrate a lack of reverence and understanding of the significance of the Lord’s Supper. Paul warns that those who partake unworthily are guilty of the body and blood of the Lord, meaning they are held accountable for their actions and attitudes toward the sacrament. By treating the Lord’s Supper in a careless or disrespectful manner, they dishonor the sacrifice of Christ and fail to recognize the spiritual significance of His body and blood represented in the elements.
Biblical connections
The immediate context in verses 28-32 clarifies the meaning: a person must examine himself before eating and drinking, and those who eat and drink without discerning the Lord’s body eat and drink judgment on themselves. This judgment is described as the Lord’s discipline, so that believers will not be condemned with the world. The seriousness of the warning is underscored by the fact that many in Corinth were weak and sick, and some had fallen asleep, because of this failure to discern the body. The Lord’s Supper is an important Christian sacrament that Jesus instituted during the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26-28). It serves as a reminder of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross for the forgiveness of sins and the establishment of the new covenant.
Application
Self-Examination: This verse prompts believers to examine themselves before participating in the Lord’s Supper. It is essential to evaluate our hearts, confess any sins, and ensure we approach the sacrament with a reverent and grateful attitude, recognizing the gravity of Christ’s sacrifice.
Unity and Love: The context of this passage also emphasizes the need for unity and love among believers. Paul addresses issues of division and selfishness within the Corinthian church, reminding them that the Lord’s Supper should be a time of fellowship and communal remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.
Spiritual Discernment: It is crucial to discern the body of Christ correctly when participating in the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:29). This refers not only to recognizing the physical bread and cup as representations of Christ’s body and blood but also to acknowledging the spiritual reality of the Church as the body of Christ. This understanding should lead to treating one another with respect, love, and unity.
Reflection
The warning in verse 27 is a call to self-examination and reverence, not a prohibition against participation for those who feel unworthy. Christ invites and encourages those who are unworthy in themselves to come and eat and drink abundantly. The verse reminds believers to approach the Lord’s Supper with a reverent and worthy attitude, recognizing the significance of Christ’s sacrifice and the unity of the body of Christ. It calls for self-examination, unity, love, and spiritual discernment within the context of the Lord’s Supper.
