What does 1 Corinthians 11:30 mean?

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 1 Corinthians 11:30

Explanation

1 Corinthians 11:30 is a verse from the New Testament of the Bible where the apostle Paul is addressing a particular issue in the Christian community of Corinth. This verse is part of a larger section where Paul discusses the proper conduct during the Lord’s Supper, or Holy Communion. The key themes of this verse revolve around the consequences of partaking in the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner.

Literal meaning:

• “For this cause”: This phrase refers back to the previous verses where Paul explains that taking the communion without recognizing its sacredness leads to being guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:27).
• “Many are weak and sickly among you”: Paul observed that among the Corinthians, there were many individuals who were physically weak or ill.
• “And many sleep”: In this context, “sleep” is a metaphor for death. Paul is stating that there have been deaths in the community, which he attributes to the disrespectful behavior during communion.

Deeper meaning:

• The verse is understood to suggest that the spiritual attitude and conduct of believers can have tangible effects on their physical wellbeing.
• It serves as a cautionary note that sacred observances should be carried out with reverence and self-examination.

Historical Context

The city of Corinth was a cosmopolitan center in ancient Greece with a diverse population and a wide range of religious practices and beliefs. Christianity was still a relatively new movement, and the early church in Corinth was formed from both Jewish and Gentile converts. At the time of Paul’s writing, the early Christian communities would gather for communal meals, which included the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. There were issues of division, inequity, and impropriety reported within these communal gatherings, including some believers eating and drinking excess at the expense of others, and not waiting for one another.

Theological Insights

Different theological viewpoints provide various insights into this verse:

• Traditional Christian interpretation often sees the verse as a divine warning about the spiritual dangers of disrespecting the holy sacrament.
• From a Calvinist perspective, it might be seen as evidence of God’s chastisement for irreverence, fitting within their theology of God’s sovereignty and discipline.
• A Catholic viewpoint emphasizes the necessity of being in a state of grace before receiving communion, aligning with the idea of receiving the Eucharist worthily.
• Liberation theology might focus on the social injustice aspect reflected in the context of this verse, pointing out the neglect of the poor during the communal meals.

Practical Applications

This verse, although written in a specific historical context, can guide modern believers on the approach to sacred observances:

• It calls for self-reflection and examination before participating in religious rituals, to ensure respect and solemnity.
• It urges communities to care for one another and consider the needs of all members, particularly during religious gatherings.
• It also suggests a spiritual dimension to physical health, encouraging believers to contemplate their spiritual state in light of any personal struggles.

Cross-References

• 1 Corinthians 11:27-29: “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. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
• James 5:14-15: “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.”

Language Study

Key words in the original Greek text of 1 Corinthians 11:30 and their meanings include:

• “Weak” (ἀσθενεῖς, astheneis): Refers to physical weakness or illness.
• “Sickly” (ἄρρωστοι, arrōstoi): To be sick or infirm.
• “Sleep” (κοιμᾶσθαι, koimasthai): This word is commonly used in the New Testament to denote death for believers, reflecting an expectation of resurrection.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many ancient cultures, the idea that moral or spiritual failings could result in physical ailments was common. For example, in Greco-Roman mythology, gods would sometimes punish humans with diseases or hardships because of irreverence or disrespect. Similarly, in other religious traditions like Judaism, there is a concept of collective responsibility and punishment seen in the Torah’s narrative of the Israelites.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific viewpoint, the connections drawn in this verse between moral behavior and physical health need to be understood symbolically rather than literally. Modern medicine does recognize that stress, which could stem from feelings of guilt or anxiety over moral issues, may contribute to health problems. However, physical illness or death is primarily understood through biological processes rather than divine retribution.

Commentaries

Various scholars and theologians have offered commentaries on 1 Corinthians 11:30, including:

• John Calvin emphasized the severe discipline of the Lord upon those who profane the Holy Supper, underscoring God’s role in the health and life of believers.
• The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges suggests that the sickness and death may be due to natural causes, but they serve as chastisements which the righteous Providence of God uses for disciplinary purposes.
• Matthew Henry’s Commentary interprets the “weakness” and “sickness” as God’s way of chastening His people, calling them to acknowledge the sanctity of religious ordinances and to prevent further unworthiness.