Self-Examination for the Lord's Supper in Christian Practice
The Practice of Self-Examination for the Lord's Supper
The practice of self-examination before partaking in the Lord's Supper is a longstanding tradition within Christianity, grounded in 1 Corinthians 11:28, which instructs believers to "examine themselves" before eating the bread and drinking the cup [3]. This practice is not uniformly understood or implemented across Christian traditions.
The Disagreement
The nature and extent of self-examination before the Lord's Supper is a point of contention among various Christian denominations and theologians. The disagreement centers on what constitutes proper self-examination, its necessity, and its implications for participating in the sacrament.
Position 1: Reformed and Puritan Tradition
In the Reformed and Puritan tradition, self-examination is seen as a crucial step before partaking in the Lord's Supper. This involves a thorough introspection to discern one's faith, repentance, and worthiness to participate. John Calvin emphasizes that those who partake without faith and charity "do not at all discern the Lord's body" and thus eat and drink judgment to themselves [5]. Matthew Henry notes that self-examination is a means to ensure that one is not guilty of the body and blood of Christ by partaking unworthily [4]. This tradition stresses the importance of understanding the sacrament, being in a state of grace, and having a proper disposition towards Christ and the community.
Position 2: Lutheran Tradition
The Lutheran tradition, as reflected in Luther's Small Catechism, also emphasizes the importance of self-examination. It suggests that after instruction in the basics of the faith, individuals should examine themselves before partaking in the Lord's Supper. This involves understanding the significance of the sacrament and one's own faith and repentance. Lutherans are encouraged to reflect on their confession, their understanding of the Ten Commandments, the Creed, and the Lord's Prayer, as well as their grasp of the sacraments [7].
Position 3: Catholic Tradition
In the Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, the focus is on the sacrament's efficacy and the recipient's disposition. While self-examination is not explicitly rejected, the emphasis is on the sacrament's role in the life of the believer and the Church. Aquinas discusses the proper time and manner of celebrating the sacrament, highlighting its connection to the representation of Christ's Passion and the participation in its fruits [6].
Shared Ground
Despite the differences, all traditions agree on the importance of approaching the Lord's Supper with reverence and a proper understanding of its significance. The act of self-examination is rooted in the biblical injunction to "examine yourselves" (1 Corinthians 11:28) and is seen as a means to ensure that participants are not unworthy [3].
Divergence in Traditions
The divergence in understanding and practicing self-examination stems from different hermeneutical approaches to Scripture, varying theological emphases, and historical developments within each tradition. The Reformed tradition tends to emphasize personal faith and repentance, while the Lutheran tradition focuses on catechetical instruction and understanding. The Catholic tradition, meanwhile, places a strong emphasis on the sacramental system and the role of the Church.
The practice of self-examination before the Lord's Supper reflects the complex and multifaceted nature of Christian worship and theology. As Christian traditions continue to interpret and apply 1 Corinthians 11:28, the underlying concern remains the same: to approach the sacrament with the reverence, faith, and self-awareness it demands [1, 2].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Examination — Enjoined -- 2Co 13:5. Necessary before the communion -- 1Co 11:28. Cause of difficulty in -- Jer 17:9. Should be engaged in With holy awe. -- Ps 4:4. With diligent search. -- Ps 77:6; La 3:40. With prayer for divine searching. -- Ps 26:2; 139:23,24. With purpose of amendment. -- Ps 119:59; La 3:40. Advantages of -- 1Co 11:31; Ga 6:4; 1Jo 3:20-22.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion of the Lord's Supper — Prefigured -- Ex 12:21-28; 1Co 5:7,8. Instituted -- Mt 26:26; 1Co 11:23. Object of -- Lu 22:19; 1Co 11:24,26. Is the communion of the body and blood of Christ -- 1Co 10:16. Both bread and wine are necessary to be received in -- Mt 26:27; 1Co 11:26. Self-examination commanded before partaking of -- 1Co 11:28,31. Newness of heart and life necessary to the worthy partaking of -- 1Co 5:7,8. Partakers of, be wholly separate to God -- 1Co 10:21. Was continually partaken of, by the Church -- Ac 2:42; 20:7. Unworthy partakers of Are guilty of”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 11:28 (BSB) — Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.”
- 1 Corinthians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Corinthians 10:15: In this passage the apostle urges the general caution against idolatry, in the particular case of eating the heathen sacrifices as such, and out of any religious respect to the idol to whom they were sacrificed. I. He prefaces his argument with an appeal to their own reason and judgment: "I speak to wise men, judge you what I say, Co1 10:15. You are great pretenders to wisdom, to close reasoning and argument; I can leave it with your own reason and conscience whether I do not argue justly." Note, It is no dishonour to an inspired teacher, nor disadvantage ”
- CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 99: and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body” ( 1 Cor. 11:27 , 29 ). For men of this description, who without any spark of faith, without any zeal for charity, rush forward like swine to seize the Lord’s Supper, do not at all discern the Lord’s body. For, inasmuch as they do not believe that body to be their life, they put every possible affront upon it, stripping it of all its dignity, and profane and contaminate it by so receiving; inasmuch as while alienated and estranged from their brethren, they dare to mi”
- theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of the Rite of This Sacrament, Art. 2: Article: Whether the time for celebrating this mystery has been properly determined? I answer that, As stated above (Article [1]), in the celebration of this mystery, we must take into consideration the representation of our Lord's Passion, and the participation of its fruits; and the time suitable for the celebration of this mystery ought to be determined by each of these considerations. Now since, owing to our daily defects, we stand in daily need of the fruits of our Lord's Passion, this sacrament is”
- Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran) “Luther's Small Catechism (Lutheran, 1529), *After confession and instruction in the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord's: *After confession and instruction in the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, the pastor may ask, or Christians may ask themselves these questions:”