Prev1 Corinthians 11:24Next

1 Corinthians 11

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.

But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.

Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.

But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.

For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered.

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man.

For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man.

Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man.

For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.

Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord.

For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of god.

Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?

Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?

But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.

But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God.

Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.

For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.

For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.

For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

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.

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.

And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

What does 1 Corinthians 11:24 mean?

Explanation

This verse captures a moment during the Last Supper, where Jesus Christ is speaking to His disciples.

The act of breaking bread and giving thanks is traditionally associated with a communal meal.

Jesus, in this instance, takes a loaf of bread, gives thanks to God ('eucharisteo' in the Greek, from which 'Eucharist' is derived), breaks it, and then distributes it to His disciples.

The key phrase "this is my body, which is broken for you" is symbolic, signifying Jesus' body about to be sacrificed on the cross for the sins of humanity.

The directive "do this in remembrance of me" institutes the practice of the Lord's Supper or Communion, a sacrament in Christian faith where believers remember and proclaim Jesus' death until He returns.

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

1 Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul around AD 55 to the church in Corinth. During that time, the early Christian community would gather for a meal known as the "Agape Feast," which included the ceremonial breaking of bread.

This verse is a portion of Paul's rebuke and instruction regarding the proper conduct during these gatherings, as earlier in the chapter, he addresses issues regarding divisions and disrespectful practices among the Corinthians during the meal.

Theological Insights

Different denominations interpret this verse in varied ways:

Catholicism: The belief in Transubstantiation holds that the bread literally becomes the body of Christ.
Orthodoxy: Similar to Catholicism but known as Metousiosis, it also asserts a real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Protestantism (Mainline): The concept of Real Presence varies, but is often seen symbolically (e.g., Lutherans believe in Consubstantiation).
Protestantism (Evangelical): Generally observed as a memorial, the elements represent the body and blood of Jesus, but there is no change in their substance.

Practical Applications

This verse underlines the importance of Communion in the Christian faith as an act of:

Remembrance: Christians partake in Communion to consciously remember the sacrifice of Jesus.
Unity: It's a time for believers to come together as one body to share in the sacrifice of Christ.
Proclamation: The act declares Jesus's death and resurrection until He returns.
Self-examination: Before partaking in Communion, Christians are encouraged to examine their hearts and confess any sin.

Cross-References

Luke 22:19 - "And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me."
Matthew 26:26 - "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body."
John 6:51 - "I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
1 Corinthians 10:16-17 - "The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?"

Language Study

The key terms in the original Greek text are:

Eucharisteo (εὐχαριστέω): "he had given thanks," implying gratitude and blessing.
Klao (κλάω): "he brake," meaning to break or divide.
Soma (σῶμα): "body," referring to the physical body of Christ and also symbolically to the church body.
Hyper (ὑπέρ): "for you," meaning on behalf of or for the sake of.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The concept of sacrificial meals and remembrance rites can be found in various ancient cultures:

Judaism: The Passover meal commemorates the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, involving symbolic foods.
Greco-Roman: Ritual meals in honor of the gods were common, and initiates into mystery religions often partook of sacred meals as a form of communion with a deity.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientific study doesn't directly address theological claims but may explore the psychological and social aspects of ritualistic practices like Communion.

It can study how such practices can create a sense of community and collective memory, much like other ritualistic practices in different cultures and religions.

Commentaries

John Calvin: Emphasizes the spiritual presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper and the importance of faith in receiving the benefits of the sacrament.
Matthew Henry: Highlights the need for solemnity and reverence in the practice of Communion, understanding it as both a commemoration of Jesus's sacrifice and a seal of His covenant with believers.
William Barclay: Stressing the simple origins of the sacrament, he warns against over-complicating the practice and encourages believers to focus on the essential elements of remembering Christ and acknowledging His sacrifice for sin.

1 Corinthians 11

1 Corinthians 11

What does 1 Corinthians 11:24 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does 1 Corinthians 11:24 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated 1 Corinthians Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?