The Meaning of the Lord's Supper (1 Corinthians 11)

Context & Background

• Main Biblical Reference: 1 Corinthians 11:17–34 (institution tradition echoed in vv. 23–26)
• Author / Speaker: Apostle Paul
• Original Audience: The church in Corinth (a diverse congregation facing division and social stratification)
• Central Theme: The Lord’s Supper is a church-wide participation in Christ’s saving death that must be observed in unity, reverence, and self-examination.

💡 Meaning & Interpretation

Core Teaching: Paul corrects the Corinthians because their gatherings—especially their meal connected to the Lord’s Supper—were reinforcing division rather than proclaiming Christ. The Supper is not merely private devotion or ordinary eating; it is a covenantal act of remembrance and proclamation centered on Jesus’ body and blood “for you” (vv. 24–25). To receive it “in an unworthy manner” is to treat the holy sign lightly and to act without proper regard for what it signifies: Christ’s sacrificial death and the one body of believers formed by it (vv. 27–29). Therefore, believers must examine themselves, repent of divisive or hypocritical participation, and “discern the body,” so the church may gather “for the better” rather than “for the worse” (vv. 17–18, 28).

Key Elements or Argument:

• Problem Paul addresses (vv. 17–22): Their “love feast” setting exposed social inequality—some ate abundantly and got drunk while others went hungry. This contradicted the gospel’s reconciling power and dishonored the church.
• A received tradition about Jesus (vv. 23–26): Paul passes on what he “received”: Jesus instituted the meal on the night of betrayal.
  • Bread: “This is my body…do this in remembrance of me.”
  • Cup: “This cup is the new covenant in my blood.”
  • Meaning: Each celebration proclaims the Lord’s death “until he comes,” holding together past (the cross), present (the church’s worship), and future (Christ’s return).
• Warning and purpose (vv. 27–32): “Unworthy manner” concerns how one participates—carelessly, selfishly, or divisively—not a claim that anyone must be morally perfect. Self-examination aims at repentance and restoration, so that God’s discipline does not become condemnation.
• Practical correction (vv. 33–34): “Wait for one another.” The Supper is a shared act that must reflect mutual care; ordinary hunger can be addressed at home so the gathering remains focused on the Lord.

Practical Application

• Receive the Supper as gospel proclamation: Approach it as a visible preaching of Christ crucified—strengthening faith through remembering and confessing his saving death and promised return.
• Pursue unity and tangible love in the church: Paul connects right worship with right community. Reconcile, refuse favoritism, and seek the good of the weaker or overlooked, especially in shared church life.
• Practice honest self-examination with hope: Confess sin, turn from hypocrisy, and come reverently—trusting that Christ invites repentant believers to communion rather than pushing them away in despair.

Historical & Cultural Insight

In the early church, the Lord’s Supper was often celebrated in connection with a communal meal. In Corinth’s stratified society, wealthier members could arrive earlier or bring better food, leaving poorer believers shamed and hungry. Paul insists that the meal must visibly embody the gospel’s new community rather than mirror social hierarchy (1 Cor 11:21–22).

Key Memory Verse

“For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” — 1 Corinthians 11:26