Transcript Document
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
Answering Questions
First question pertained to marriage – (Chapter 7) The second question dealt with eating meat offered to idols – (Chapters 8-10) Chapters 11:2-16:4 deal with a variety of topics, first the issue of “headship” – 11:2-16 Next – abuses of the Lord’s supper
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (NKJV)
17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (NKJV)
20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you?
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (NKJV)
Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise
you.
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, " Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me ."
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (NKJV)
25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, " This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me ." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death till He comes.
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (NKJV)
27 Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (NKJV)
29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. 30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (NKJV)
32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
Regarding Worship
Perverted worship is destructive to its participants – 17,20-22,29-32 Ones worship is vain when division and ungodly attitudes exist – 18,19 The Lord’s supper is to be according to the divine arrangement – 20-28,33,34
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
“I do not praise you” – The practice he is about to speak of was a detriment to them -
“Since you come together not for
the better but for the worse” – (11:18,20,33) When the Church assembles. 'The Corinthian problem was not their failure to gather, but their failure to truly to be God's new people when they gathered.' (Fee p. 536)
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
Religious people can assemble to worship God and instead of gaining God's favor, they can bring upon themselves condemnation. (11:34) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to God - (Pr 15:8; 28:9) Simply going through the motions not accepted - (Mat 6:7; 15:8-9) From wrong motives (Mat 6:1-5) Following the rules of men instead of the will of God. (Mat 15:9)
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
“When you come together as a
church” – when they convened for the worship of God – (God requires that his people assemble – Heb 10:24,25). “I hear that” - "I am hearing" suggests ... continued information from various quarters.' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 877) “There are divisions among you” – The sectarian spirit previously mentioned, (18; 1:10-13; 3:3,4), was evident in their assemblies . . .
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
“Factions” – Gk., HAIRESIS, meaning “a choosing, a choice”; it is a much stronger word than “division” (see Galatians 5:20).
“Dissensions” arising from diversity of opinions and aims— Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon
The schisms naturally become factions or parties. . . . "Heresy is theoretical schism, schism practical heresy." — Robertson Word Pictures
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
“That those who are approved - 1384 dokimos {dok'-ee-mos}; in the N.T. one who is of tried faith and integrity —
Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon
“May be recognized among you” – 'When ungodliness manifests itself as division, keep your eyes open and the righteous will shine forth ... So, the divisions act as a black velvet background ... against which people approved of God are highlighted.' (McGuiggan p. 156)
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:20 (ESV)
20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat.
1 Corinthians 11:20 (NIV)
20 When you come together, it is not the Lord's Supper you eat,
1 Corinthians 11:20 (ASV)
20 When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible to eat the Lord's supper:
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
“When you come together”- In the NT we always find the Lord's Supper in an assembly context. (Acts 2:42; 20:7)
They would of claimed that they were
eating the Lord's Supper. - But Paul says that they were not – “Not possible” ASV - an environment which fosters strife and division and the abuses cited in the following verses, truly partaking of the Lord's Supper was an impossibility.
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
“For in eating, each one takes his own
supper ahead of others;” - 'some, apparently the rich, ate their own sumptuous meals before others (slaves and poor freedmen) were able to arrive.' (Fee p. 540)
“One is hungry and another is drunk”
- 'The poor man, whose small store was insufficient, or who arriving late (for his time was not his own) found the table cleared' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 879)
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
‘Drunk'-3184. methuo {meth-oo'-o}; from another form of 3178; to drink to intoxication, i.e. get drunk: -drink well, make (be) drunk(-en).
“I rather think that Paul meant that they were glutted with food and drink while others were (not "sober") but hungry . . . "What, have ye not houses to eat and drink in?" We'd hardly think he would be suggesting that they get "stoned" at home . . .” (McGuiggan p. 158)
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
Do you not have houses to eat and
drink in? - Paul doesn't regulate such common meals "in the assembly", - in contrast he places them completely outside the assemblies of the church. He doesn't offer any solution that allows the Corinthians to keep them in the assembly, just as long as they.....
The Lord's Supper had God's approval, social meals when the church gathered for worship did not.
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
“'In the question: "Why do you not use your houses?" there lies the graver one: "Why do you so use the church?" This is the graver, for to use the church in this manner is to degrade it, hence to look down on it, to despise it . . .Has the congregation forgotten so completely that this is "God's gathering?" (Lenski p. 460)
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
We despise the church of God, when we make it into what we want it to be, i.e. a place of recreation and socializing.
These verses present serious questions for many modern
religious bodies - In fact, many
have even "gone WAY beyond" what the Corinthians were doing.
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
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Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
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Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:23-24 (NKJV)
23 . . . that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread; 24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, " Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me ." Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-31; Luke 22:14-23
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:25 (NKJV)
25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, " This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me ." Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-31; Luke 22:14-23
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
A communion –
1 Cor. 10:16-17; 11:33-34
A memorial –
1 Cor. 11:23-25
A proclamation –
1 Cor. 11:26
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
The only way to correct the abuse of a biblical practice, is to get back to the original instruction.
The only meal which the congregation is to sponsor, which Christians are to partake of when assembled for worship, is the Lord's Supper.
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
Acts 20:7 is the ONLY example of how often they came together. (cf. 1 Cor. 16:1,2) Paul is not dealing in our context with “WHEN” but “HOW.
“As often as” - adverbial phrase modifying “proclaim” – NOT “eat” and “drink” – again the emphasis is on HOW – not WHEN!
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
‘Discern'-1252. diakrino {dee-ak-ree'-no}; (Verse 29) The verb primarily means to separate, and hence to make a distinction, discriminate. . . . implies a mental act of discriminating between different things. . . . such discernment of the peculiar significance and sacredness of the Lord's body shall make him shrink from profanation and shall stimulate him to penitence and faith.— Vincent's Word
Studies in the New Testament
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
‘To distinguish, to judge correctly' (Willis p. 404) 'Failure to recognize the Lord's body, that is, reflect on his death, as they eat.' (Fee p. 563) Part of this discerning, would be, distinguishing between this "supper" and all other suppers. (11:21)
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:27 (NKJV)
27
Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:28-29 (NKJV)
28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:30-32 (NKJV)
30 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
1 Corinthians 11:33-34 (NKJV)
33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. 34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
Their meal was congregational but not for the better but worse (1 Cor. 11:17,22). Their meal was a common meal not the Lord’s supper - (1 Cor. 11:21,22,34).
Their meal was for selfish social purposes which was causing division - (1 Cor. 11:18,22,33).
Abuse of the Lord’s Supper at Corinth – (11:17-34)
The assembly should - (vs. 33) All Come together into one place For the “better” Come together without divisions / factions / perversions Keep the Lord’s Supper (vs. 23) As “I delivered unto you” “Show the Lord’s death” “Discerning the Lord’s body” Common meals a work of the home
The Head covering - Principles of Headship & Submission – (11:2-16)
Charts by Don McClain
Prepared July 16,17, 2011 Preached July 17, 2011 West 65 Email – th Street church of Christ P.O. Box 190062 Little Rock AR 72219 501-568-1062 Prepared using PPT 2010 – [email protected]
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Luke 22:14-23 (NKJV)
14
When the hour had come, He sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him.
15
Then He said to them, " With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer ;
16
for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God ."
Luke 22:14-23 (NKJV)
17 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, " Take this and divide it among yourselves ; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes ." 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying,
Luke 22:14-23 (NKJV)
"
This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me
."
20
Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "
This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you
.
21 But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table
.
Luke 22:14-23 (NKJV)
22
And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed !"
23