Significance of the Lord's Supper

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Significance of the Lord's Supper - An Explanation of 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

In 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, the Apostle Paul addresses a serious issue within the Corinthian church regarding their observance of the Lord's Supper. His correction, rooted in the foundational teachings of Jesus and the nature of the church as the body of Christ, reveals the deep meaning and significance of this ordinance. By examining this passage in the context of the bible, a comprehensive understanding of its importance and format comes to light.

The Problem in Corinth - Division and Disrespect

Paul begins with a sharp rebuke, stating, "your meetings do more harm than good" (1 Corinthians 11:17). The core problem was division. When the church gathered, "there are divisions among you" (1 Corinthians 11:18). These divisions manifested during what was meant to be a communal meal of remembrance. Instead of practicing unity, the wealthier members would go ahead with their own private suppers, eating and drinking to excess, while the poorer members were left hungry and humiliated (1 Corinthians 11:21-22).

This behavior demonstrated a misunderstanding of the Lord's Supper. They were treating a sacred observance as a common meal, and in doing so, they showed contempt for the church of God and dishonored its poorer members (1 Corinthians 11:22). Their actions were a direct contradiction to the very nature of the community they were meant to be. This also shows that in the 1st century Christians ate food together like a common meal in Lord's supper. 

The True Meaning - A Proclamation of Christ's Death

To correct the abuse of showing contempt and dishonoring poorer members, Paul reminds the Corinthians of the institution of the Lord's Supper, which he received from the Lord Himself. On the night He was betrayed, Jesus took bread, gave thanks, and broke it, saying, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me" (1 Corinthians 11:24). In the same way, He took the cup, calling it "the new covenant in my blood" (1 Corinthians 11:25).

This act of remembrance is central to the significance of the Lord's Supper. It is a memorial of Jesus' sacrificial death. As Paul states, "For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26). This proclamation is not merely a verbal statement but a powerful, symbolic replay of the Gospel.

The Gospel accounts of the Last Supper in Matthew 26, Mark 14, and Luke 22 corroborate this, where Jesus explicitly identifies the bread with His body and the cup with His blood of the covenant, poured out for the forgiveness of sins (Matthew 26:26-28; Luke 22:19-20). 

The Significance of Unity in the Body of Christ

The Corinthian's selfish and divisive behavior was particularly harmful because it failed to "discern the body of Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:29). This phrase has a dual meaning. On one hand, it refers to recognizing the sacredness of the bread and wine as symbols of Christ's physical body and blood. On the other hand, it also refers to recognizing the church as the mystical body of Christ.

Throughout the bible, the church is described as the body of Christ, with each believer being an individual part (1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 4:12). This body is meant to be unified, with no divisions, and with its members having "equal concern for each other" (1 Corinthians 12:25). Paul's teachings in Ephesians emphasize this unity: "There is one body and one Spirit... one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all" (Ephesians 4:4-6). The divisions in the Corinthian church were a direct attack on this fundamental truth. By disrespecting fellow believers, they were disrespecting Christ Himself.

The Call for Self-Examination and Worthy Participation

Because of the sacred nature of the Lord's Supper, Paul issues a solemn warning: "So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord" (1 Corinthians 11:27). To participate in an "unworthy manner" is to do so with a heart that is not in right relationship with God and with fellow believers. It is to partake without recognizing the significance of Christ's sacrifice and the unity of His body, the church.

To avoid this, Paul instructs, "Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup" (1 Corinthians 11:28). This self-examination involves introspection, confession of sin, and a commitment to live in a manner that honors Christ and His people. It is a call to align one's heart with the meaning of the ordinance before participating.

When we renew our mind with this understanding, we'd be empowered by Holy Spirit to forgive other's sins towards us, get freed from our judgemental attitude, and love others freely.

The consequences of unworthy participation were severe in the Corinthian church: "That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep" (1 Corinthians 11:30). This divine judgment served as a form of discipline to bring about repentance and prevent final condemnation with the world (1 Corinthians 11:32).

Conclusion

In its full biblical context, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34 reveals that the Lord's Supper is far more than a ritual. Its meaning and significance are multifaceted:

  • A Memorial and Proclamation - It is a powerful remembrance and proclamation of the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ, which established the new covenant.

  • A Symbol of Unity - It symbolizes the unity of all believers in the one body of Christ. To partake in it is to affirm this unity and fellowship.

  • A Time for Self-Examination - It is a call for deep personal reflection, repentance, and a recommitment to living a life worthy of the Gospel.

  • An Anticipation of Christ's Return - It is a forward-looking ordinance that proclaims Christ's death "until he comes," pointing to the future hope of the marriage supper of the Lamb (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Paul's practical solution for the Corinthians was simple: "when you gather to eat, you should all eat together" (1 Corinthians 11:33). Those who were hungry should eat at home, so that the purpose of the gathering would not be a common meal but a sacred, unified remembrance of their Lord (1 Corinthians 11:34). This instruction underscores the primary purpose of the Lord's Supper: to remember Christ's sacrifice in a spirit of unity and reverence, thereby strengthening the body of Christ.

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