Interpretation of 1 Corinthians 11:27 in Context
First Corinthians 11:27 states, "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord" [2]. This verse is central to Paul's instructions regarding the proper observance of the Lord's Supper in the Corinthian church.
The immediate literary context for 1 Corinthians 11:27 begins with Paul addressing divisions within the Corinthian community concerning their gatherings, specifically their meals, which included the Lord's Supper [5]. Paul indicates that their assemblies are "not for the better" but "for the worse" [5]. He then recounts the institution of the Lord's Supper, emphasizing its sacred nature and its origin directly from the Lord [2]. This historical account serves as the foundation for his subsequent warnings about unworthy participation. The verses immediately following 11:27 further elaborate on the consequences of such participation, urging self-examination before partaking [1].
Historically, Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth, a prominent Roman city known for its diverse population and various cultural influences. The Corinthian church faced numerous challenges, including internal strife, ethical issues, and misunderstandings about Christian practices. Paul's instruction here aims to correct abuses that had arisen during their communal meals, where some members were eating and drinking to excess while others went hungry, thereby shaming the poor and undermining the spiritual significance of the Supper [5].
Key terms in 1 Corinthians 11:27 include "unworthy" (ἀναξίως, anaxios) and "guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord" (ἔνοχος ἔσται τοῦ σώματος καὶ τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ Κυρίου, enochos estai tou somatos kai tou haimatos tou Kyriou) [2]. The term "unworthy" does not necessarily refer to a person's inherent sinfulness, as all believers are sinners saved by grace. Instead, it refers to the manner of participation—eating and drinking in a way that disrespects the sacred meaning of the Supper [2]. The phrase "guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord" signifies that such unworthy participation is a serious offense, treating the sacrifice of Christ with contempt [2].
A major exegetical decision in understanding this passage involves the phrase "the body of Christ" in the broader context of 1 Corinthians 11. While "the body of Christ" can refer to the church in other Pauline writings, in 1 Corinthians 11:29, particularly in light of 11:27, it is "probably to be understood here as a reference to the death of Christ, not to the church" [3]. This interpretation emphasizes that the offense is against Christ's atoning sacrifice itself. Some ancient manuscripts omit "Lord's" in verse 27, and also "unworthily" in verse 29, which can influence the precise nuance of the warning, though the core message remains [4].
The range of interpretations for 1 Corinthians 11:27 largely centers on the nature of "unworthy" participation and its consequences. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary, representing a Presbyterian perspective, clarifies that the "damnation" mentioned in some translations of verse 29 (which is closely linked to verse 27) is a mistranslation and should be rendered as "judgment" [4]. This judgment is understood as temporal, manifesting in physical infirmities, sickness, and even death, rather than eternal condemnation [3, 4]. The sin and its punishment are seen as corresponding, where not discerning the sacramental nature of the Lord's body leads to temporal judgment [4]. This judgment is a form of chastening, intended to prevent believers from being condemned "with the world" [6].
The passage has functioned significantly in Christian tradition, particularly in discussions about preparation for communion and the discipline of the church. It underscores the solemnity of the Lord's Supper and the need for reverence and self-examination [1]. The warning against unworthy participation has led many denominations to emphasize the importance of confession and repentance before partaking, ensuring that communicants approach the sacrament with a proper understanding of its significance and a right heart [1].
Sources
- 1 Corinthians “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup. -- 1 Corinthians 11:28”
- 1 Corinthians “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks the Lord’s cup in a way unworthy of the Lord will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. -- 1 Corinthians 11:27”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 11:29: 11:29-30 In light of 11:27, the body of Christ is probably to be understood here as a reference to the death of Christ, not to the church, though some interpret it that way. • Those who eat the bread or drink the cup unworthily thereby invoke God’s judgment upon themselves. Such judgment may be expressed in infirmities, sickness, and even death (cp. Acts 5:5, 10).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:29: damnation--A mistranslation which has put a stumbling-block in the way of many in respect to communicating. The right translation is "judgment." The judgment is described (Co1 11:30-32) as temporal. not discerning--not duty judging: not distinguishing in judgment (so the Greek: the sin and its punishment thus being marked as corresponding) from common food, the sacramental pledges of the Lord's body. Most of the oldest manuscripts omit "Lord's" (see Co1 11:27). Omitting also "unworthily," with most of the oldest manuscripts, we must translate”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:17: in this--which follows. I declare--rather, "I enjoin"; as the Greek is always so used. The oldest manuscripts read literally "This I enjoin (you) not praising (you)." that--inasmuch as; in that you, &c. Here he qualifies his praise (Co1 11:2). "I said that I praised you for keeping the ordinances delivered to you; but I must now give injunction in the name of the Lord, on a matter in which I praise you not; namely, as to the Lord's Supper (Co1 11:23; Co1 14:37). not for the better--not so as to progress to what is better. for the worse-”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:32: chastened-- (Rev 3:19). with the world--who, being bastards, are without chastening (Heb 12:8).”