Exposition of 1 Corinthians 11:24

In 1 Corinthians 11:24, Paul recounts Jesus' words during the Last Supper: "and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me'" (ESV). This verse is central to Christian understanding of the Eucharist or Lord's Supper, providing the institution narrative for the sacrament.

The passage is part of a larger discussion in 1 Corinthians 11 (verses 17-34) where Paul addresses abuses and divisions within the Corinthian church concerning their communal meals and the celebration of the Lord's Supper. He criticizes their practices, noting that their gatherings were "not for the better but for the worse" and that "divisions exist among you" ^[5]. Paul's intention is to correct these behaviors by reminding them of the true meaning and proper observance of the Supper, which he received "from the Lord" [1 Corinthians 11:23]. He emphasizes that some were coming to the meal hungry, while others were getting drunk, leading to shame for those who had nothing ^[8]. This context highlights Paul's concern for unity and proper reverence in the church's worship.

Historically, Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth, a prominent Roman city in Greece, likely around the mid-first century CE. The Corinthian church was a diverse community, including both Jewish and Gentile converts, and faced various internal conflicts and external pressures. Paul had founded the church during his second missionary journey and maintained a pastoral relationship with them, addressing specific issues that arose ^[7].

The key terms in 1 Corinthians 11:24 are "body," "for you," and "in remembrance of me." The phrase "This is my body" has been a focal point of theological debate regarding the nature of Christ's presence in the Eucharist. Charles Hodge, in his Systematic Theology, discusses the various interpretations of Christ's presence, noting the significance of the body given "for you" ^{[3, 4]}. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, also addresses the meaning of the Supper, emphasizing its role as a sign and seal of God's grace ^{[6, 9]}.

The phrase "which is for you" (τὸ ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν) signifies the sacrificial nature of Christ's body. This refers to Jesus' atoning death on the cross, where his body was given as a sacrifice for the sins of believers. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge cross-references this verse with other passages that speak to the sacrificial aspect of Christ's work, such as Isaiah 55:1 and John 6:53, which discuss partaking in Christ's life ^[1].

The command "Do this in remembrance of me" (τοῦτο ποιεῖτε εἰς τὴν ἐμὴν ἀνάμνησιν) establishes the Supper as a memorial act. The Greek word anámnēsis implies more than just a mental recollection; it often carries the sense of making present the past event, particularly in a liturgical context. Adam Clarke, in his commentary on 1 Corinthians, notes the importance of remembering Christ's sacrifice in the Supper ^[10]. This act of remembrance serves to proclaim the Lord's death "until he comes" [1 Corinthians 11:26].

A notable textual variant exists in some manuscripts for verse 24, where the phrase "broken for you" (κλώμενον ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν) is found. While many modern translations, like the ESV, omit "broken," the BBE (Bible in Basic English) includes "broken with an act of praise" ^[2]. The inclusion or exclusion of "broken" does not fundamentally alter the meaning of Christ's body being given sacrificially, but it highlights the textual transmission process.

The interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11:24 has profoundly shaped Christian theology and practice. It forms the basis for the celebration of the Lord's Supper across various denominations, though the understanding of Christ's presence and the efficacy of the sacrament differ. For instance, some traditions emphasize a real, substantial presence of Christ, while others view it more symbolically as a spiritual presence or a memorial. Regardless of the specific theological framework, the verse consistently points to the central act of Christ's self-giving love and the ongoing call for believers to remember and participate in that sacrifice.

Sources

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 Corinthians 11:24 cross-references: Exodus 12:14, Joshua 4:7, Psalms 22:26, Psalms 22:29, Psalms 111:4, Proverbs 9:5, Isaiah 25:6, Isaiah 26:8, Isaiah 55:1, Matthew 26:13, John 6:53, 1 Corinthians 5:7, 1 Corinthians 10:3, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 11:27”
I Corinthians “I Corinthians 11:24 (BBE) — And when it had been broken with an act of praise, he said, This is my body which is for you: do this in memory of me.”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 98: 5:9 5:9 5:10 5:10 5:12 5:12-21 5:12-21 5:16 5:16 5:17 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:18 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:19 5:21 6:1-8 6:1-23 6:1-23 6:3 6:3 6:3 6:4-10 6:5 6:8 6:14 6:14 6:14 6:14 7:1 7:1 7:1-6 7:1-25 7:2 7:2 7:3 7:3 7:4 7:4 7:4 7:4-6 7:4-6 7:6 7:7 7:7 7:7 7:7 7:7-25 7:7-25 7:12 7:14 7:24 7:33 7:34 8:1-39 8:3 8:9-11 8:9-11 8:10 8:11 8:12 8:16 8:16 8:17 8:17 8:19-21 8:19-23 8:21 8:25 8:30 8:33 8:34 8:34 9:1-33 9:4 9:4 9:4 9:8 9:8 10:3 10:3 10:4 10:8 10:9 10:9 10:10 10:10 10:10 10:11-15 10:14 10:14 10:15 11:1-36 11:6 11:11 11:11 ”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 2, section 144: 2:7 2:28 2:28 3:19 3:21 3:22-23 3:25 3:25 3:25 3:25 3:25 3:25-26 3:28 4:20-21 5:1-1 5:8 5:9 5:10 5:10 5:10 5:10 5:11 5:12 5:12 5:12 5:12 5:12-20 5:12-20 5:12-20 5:12-21 5:12-21 5:12-21 5:12-21 5:12-21 5:12-21 5:12-21 5:12-21 5:12-21 5:12-21 5:15 5:16-17 5:18 5:18-19 5:18-19 5:19 6:1-23 6:4 6:4 6:9 6:14 6:23 7:1-25 7:4 7:4-6 7:32 7:32 8:1-13 8:1-39 8:3 8:7 8:9-1 8:11 8:11 8:11 8:23 8:28 8:29-30 8:29-30 8:29-30 8:30 8:30 8:30 8:32 8:34 8:34 8:35-39 9:1-33 9:1-33 9:5 9:5 9:6 9:9-21 9:11 9:11 9:15-16 9:19 9:22 9:24 10:13 10:14 10:17 11:2 11:”
1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:25: no schism--(compare Co1 12:21) --no disunion; referring to the "divisions" noticed (Co1 11:18). care one for another--that is, in behalf of one another.”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 109: 8:26 8:26 8:29 8:29 8:29-30 8:30 8:30 8:30 8:30 8:32 8:32 8:32 8:32 8:33 8:33 8:33 8:33-34 8:34 8:35 8:35 8:36 8:37 8:38 8:38 8:38 9:3 9:5 9:5 9:5 9:6 9:6 9:7 9:8 9:11 9:11 9:11-13 9:13 9:13 9:15 9:15 9:16 9:16 9:17 9:18 9:18 9:20 9:20-21 9:22 9:22-23 9:27 9:33 9:33 10:3 10:4 10:4 10:4 10:4 10:5-6 10:5-9 10:8 10:8 10:8 10:8 10:10 10:10 10:11 10:14 10:14 10:17 10:17 10:17 11:2 11:6 11:6 11:20 11:20 11:20-21 11:29 11:32 11:32 11:32 11:32-33 11:33-34 11:34 11:34 11:34 11:35 11:35 11:36 12:1 12:1 12:1 12:2 12:2 12:3 12:3 12:6 12:6 12:”
1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:34: 11:34 after I arrive: Paul was planning to visit soon (4:19; 16:5-7).”
1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:34: if any . . . hunger--so as not to be able to "tarry for others," let him take off the edge of his hunger at home [ALFORD] (Co1 11:22). the rest--"the other questions you asked me as to the due celebration of the Lord's Supper." Not other questions in general; for he does subsequently set in order other general questions in this Epistle. Next: 1 Corinthians Chapter 12”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 109: 15:5 15:6 15:10 15:16 15:16 15:16 15:19 16:2 16:7 16:7 16:12 16:12 16:13 16:13 16:20 16:26 17:3 17:3 17:3 17:3 17:5 17:5 17:6 17:9 17:12 17:12 17:15 17:19 17:19 17:19 17:19 18:36 18:37 19:33 19:34 19:36 20 20:5 20:17 20:17 20:19 20:22 20:22 20:22 20:23 20:23 20:23 20:23 20:28 20:31 21:15 21:15 21:18 Acts 1 1:10 1:11 1:23 2:4 2:21 2:23 2:23 2:24 2:24 2:33 2:37 2:37-38 2:38 2:39 2:41 2:42 2:42 3:6 3:6 3:15 3:21 3:25 4:12 4:12 4:18 4:28 4:28 4:32 5:29 5:31 5:41 6:2 6:3 6:3 6:6 6:10 7:21 7:30 7:44 7:48 7:48 7:55 7:56 7:59 8:13-18 8:14”
1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 11:32: But when we are judged - See on Co1 11:29 (note).”

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