1 Corinthians 11:32
“But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”
Context:In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul discusses various aspects of the Corinthian church’s gatherings, including the Lord’s Supper. He admonishes the Corinthians for their divisions, improper conduct, and lack of reverence during the communion meal.
Warning against unworthy participation:Prior to verse 32, Paul explains that those who eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner bring judgment upon themselves (1 Corinthians 11:27-31). They fail to discern the body of Christ and participate without proper self-examination, resulting in condemnation.
Divine correction and discipline:In verse 32, Paul states, "But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord." Here, he emphasizes that God’s judgment on believers is not for their condemnation but for their correction. When the Lord’s Supper is taken unworthily, God may discipline His children to redirect their behavior and bring them back into alignment with His will.
Avoiding condemnation:The purpose of God’s chastening or discipline is to prevent believers from being condemned along with the world. God’s correction serves as a means to bring believers to repentance, restoration, and ultimately, to safeguard them from the eternal condemnation that awaits the unrepentant world.
It’s essential to examine the surrounding verses and the broader context of the chapter to fully understand this verse. The passage should be studied and understood in its entirety to grasp the full message Paul intended to convey to the Corinthian church.
