What does 1 Corinthians 11:20 mean?

Explanation

1 Corinthians 11:20 refers to an issue that the Apostle Paul is addressing within the Corinthian church regarding their conduct during communal meals, which included what was known as the Lord's Supper, or Communion.

In the early Christian community, it was common to have a shared meal called the "agape feast" that was supposed to reflect fellowship and unity among believers as they remembered the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

However, Paul points out that the way the Corinthians are coming together for this meal is inappropriate, and as such, they are not truly partaking in the Lord's Supper.

The focus in this verse is on Paul's rebuke of the way the Corinthians are handling this sacred practice, which was intended to be a profound expression of unity and remembrance among believers.

Historical Context

The historical context of 1 Corinthians 11:20 arises from the practices of the early Christian church in Corinth, a cosmopolitan city in ancient Greece known for its cultural diversity and variety of religious practices.

During the first century, Christians would often gather in homes for communal meals, one aspect of which was the observance of the Lord's Supper.

These gatherings were meant to reinforce the community and the shared faith of its members.

However, there were divisions and a lack of reverence at these meals within the Corinthian church, leading to abuses that prompted Paul's corrective instructions.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, this verse underscores the sacredness and solemnity of the Lord's Supper as an ordinance instituted by Jesus Christ.

Catholics see the Eucharist as a literal transformation of bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ, while some Protestant denominations view Communion as a symbolic reminder.

The key theological insight in Paul's rebuke is that the Lord's Supper is not merely a communal meal but a sacred event that demands reverence and self-examination, as it signifies the body and blood of Christ given for the salvation of humankind.

Practical Applications

The teachings of this verse can be applied in daily life by encouraging believers to respect and honor not only religious traditions and ceremonies but also each other.

When participating in communal activities, it is crucial to do so with the right intention and attitude, fostering unity rather than division.

Christians can use this admonition to examine their own hearts and attitudes when partaking in the Lord's Supper, ensuring they do so in a worthy manner, reflecting on the sacrifice Jesus made and its implications on their lives.

Cross-References

• 1 Corinthians 10:17: "For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread."
• 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."

Language Study

The key phrases in the original Greek are worth exploring: "συνερχόμενοι" (synērkhomenoi) translates to "coming together" or "assembling," indicating a collective action. "εἰς τὸ αὐτὸ" (eis to auto) can mean "into one place" or "together," emphasizing unity. "Οὐκ" (ouk) is a straightforward negation, meaning "not" or "no." And "κυριακὸν δεῖπνον" (kyriakon deipnon) directly refers to "the Lord's Supper," with "kyriakon" relating to "the Lord" and "deipnon" meaning "supper" or "meal." Thus, the language emphasizes the gathering in unity for a sacred purpose that is not being achieved.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In the broader cultural and religious context of the ancient world, shared meals were common in various religious traditions as expressions of community and worship.

For example, in Greco-Roman pagan religions, meals were often shared in honor of different gods and included various rituals.

The early Christian practice of the Lord's Supper set itself apart by centering on the memory of a historical person, Jesus Christ, and His sacrificial death, which was unique among religious traditions of the time.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific perspective, the verse does not directly intersect with modern scientific understandings, as it relates to religious practice and community dynamics rather than empirical evidence or natural phenomena.

However, psychology and sociology could offer insight into the benefits of communal rituals for social cohesion and the potential for such gatherings to create in-group and out-group dynamics, which may have been at play in the Corinthian church's divisions.

Commentaries

Biblical scholars and theologians have offered various commentaries on this passage.

Some emphasize the social and economic divisions in the Corinthian church, as wealthier members may have excluded the poorer ones during these meals, thus corrupting the egalitarian nature of the Lord's Supper.

Others highlight the need for proper discernment of the body of Christ, not just in a theological sense but also in recognizing and honoring the church as the body of believers.

Overall, commentators agree that Paul's goal was to correct disorderly practices and to call the Corinthians back to an authentic and respectful observance of the Lord's Supper.