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Significance of 1 Corinthians 10:16 for Christian Communion

1 Corinthians 10:16, in the New King James Version, asks, "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?" [2]. This verse is central to Christian understandings of the Lord's Supper, often referred to as communion, because it directly links the elements of bread and wine to the body and blood of Christ [8].

Paul's discussion in 1 Corinthians 10:16–17 is situated within a broader argument against participation in pagan idol worship and sacrificial meals. He contrasts the Christian practice of the Lord's Supper with the idolatrous practices of the Corinthians, emphasizing the spiritual realities inherent in each [12]. The chapter begins with warnings drawn from Israel's history in the wilderness, where despite receiving spiritual food and drink, many fell into idolatry and were destroyed [4]. Paul uses these examples to caution the Corinthians against similar spiritual dangers, particularly regarding their involvement with pagan feasts.

The key term in 1 Corinthians 10:16 is "communion" (κοινωνία, koinonia), which can also be translated as "sharing" or "fellowship" [1, 2]. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines communion broadly as fellowship with God, with Christ, by the Spirit, and among believers [3]. In the context of the Lord's Supper, it signifies fellowship between Christ and his disciples, and among the disciples themselves [3]. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge cross-references this concept with other passages discussing fellowship and spiritual gifts, such as Romans 1:16 and 1 Corinthians 12:10, 3:10 [5, 6, 7, 9].

The interpretation of "communion of the blood of Christ" and "communion of the body of Christ" has been a point of significant theological discussion across Christian traditions. Generally, these interpretations fall into several main categories regarding the nature of Christ's presence in the Supper.

One perspective, often associated with Lutheran theology, affirms the real presence of Christ's body and blood "in, with, and under" the elements of bread and wine. The Augsburg Confession, Article X, states that "the true body and blood of Christ are truly present under the form of bread and wine in the Lord's Supper and are there distributed and received" [17]. This view emphasizes a sacramental union where Christ's physical presence is truly received by communicants, though not through transubstantiation.

Reformed traditions, including Presbyterian and Baptist perspectives, often emphasize a spiritual presence of Christ. John Calvin, in his Institutes of the Christian Religion, taught that while the bread and wine are symbols, believers truly partake of Christ's spiritual benefits and his very substance through faith [15]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:20, while discussing the proper observance of the Supper, implies that the spiritual significance is paramount, contrasting it with a mere physical meal [11]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, speaks of the Lord's Supper as a "table well furnished with the best of provisions, his flesh and blood," where Christ himself is present to "sup with them" [13]. This view highlights that the Supper is a means by which believers are spiritually nourished by Christ.

Anglican theology, as expressed in the Thirty-Nine Articles, Article XXVIII, also addresses the Lord's Supper [14]. While rejecting transubstantiation, it affirms that "to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith, receive the same, the Bread which we break is a partaking of the Body of Christ; and likewise the Cup of Blessing is a partaking of the Blood of Christ." This position often allows for a range of interpretations regarding the mode of Christ's presence, from a more symbolic understanding to a spiritual reception of his body and blood.

Eastern Orthodox theology, represented by figures like John of Damascus, holds a strong view of the real presence, believing that the bread and wine are truly transformed into the body and blood of Christ by the Holy Spirit during the liturgy [16]. This transformation is understood as a mystery, not subject to rational explanation, and is central to their understanding of communion.

The academic commentary from Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 10:16-18 notes that "Paul affirms the spiritual meaning of sacred meals. In the Lord’s Supper, believers share in the blood and body of Christ" and that "sharing one loaf unites believers as one body in Christ" [12]. This highlights both the individual participation in Christ and the corporate unity of believers, a theme also echoed in Torrey's Topical Textbook, which states that in the Lord's Supper, there is "communion of saints" [10]. The act of partaking signifies a shared identity and unity among believers, as they all partake of the same spiritual reality in Christ.

Sources

  1. 1 Corinthians “The cup of blessing which we bless, isn’t it a sharing of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, isn’t it a sharing of the body of Christ? -- 1 Corinthians 10:16”
  2. I Corinthians “I Corinthians 10:16 (KJV) — 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?”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Communion — Fellowship with God (Gen. 18:17-33; Ex. 33:9-11; Num. 12:7, 8), between Christ and his people (John 14:23), by the Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14; Phil. 2:1), of believers with one another (Eph. 4:1-6). The Lord's Supper is so called (1 Cor. 10:16, 17), because in it there is fellowship between Christ and his disciples, and of the disciples with one another.”
  4. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 Corinthians 10:10 cross-references: Exodus 12:23, Exodus 15:24, Exodus 16:2, Exodus 17:2, Numbers 14:2, Numbers 14:27, Numbers 14:37, Numbers 16:41, Numbers 16:46, 2 Samuel 24:16, 1 Chronicles 21:15, 2 Chronicles 32:21, Psalms 106:25, Matthew 13:39, Acts 12:23, Philippians 2:14, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, Hebrews 11:28, Jude 1:16, Revelation 16:1”
  5. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 Corinthians 12:10 cross-references: Numbers 11:25, 1 Samuel 10:10, 1 Samuel 19:20, 2 Samuel 23:1, Joel 2:28, Mark 16:17, Mark 16:20, Luke 24:49, John 14:12, John 16:13, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:4, Acts 2:17, Acts 2:29, Acts 5:3, Acts 10:46, Acts 11:28, Acts 19:6, Acts 21:9, Romans 12:6, Romans 15:19, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 1 Corinthians 13:1, 1 Corinthians 13:8, 1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Corinthians 14:13, 1 Corinthians 14:23, 1 Corinthians 14:26, 1 Corinthians 14:31, 1 Corinthians 14:39, Galatians 3:5, 1 Thessalonians 5:20, Hebrews 2:4, 2 Peter 1:20, 1 John 4:1, Revelation 2:2”
  6. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Romans 1:16 cross-references: Psalms 40:9, Psalms 71:15, Psalms 110:2, Psalms 119:46, Isaiah 53:1, Jeremiah 23:29, Mark 8:38, Luke 2:10, Luke 9:26, John 7:35, Acts 3:26, Romans 2:9, Romans 4:11, Romans 10:17, Romans 15:19, Romans 15:29, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 1 Corinthians 2:2, 1 Corinthians 2:4, 1 Corinthians 9:12, 1 Corinthians 9:18, 1 Corinthians 14:24, 1 Corinthians 15:2, 2 Corinthians 2:12, 2 Corinthians 2:14, 2 Corinthians 4:4, 2 Corinthians 9:13, 2 Corinthians 10:4, Galatians 1:7, Colossians 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Timothy 1:11, 2 Timothy 1:8, 2 Timothy 1:12, 2 Ti”
  7. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “1 Corinthians 3:10 cross-references: Exodus 36:4, 1 Kings 3:9, 2 Chronicles 2:12, Proverbs 12:8, Ecclesiastes 12:9, Daniel 12:3, Zechariah 4:9, Matthew 7:24, Matthew 24:45, Luke 11:35, Luke 21:8, Acts 18:27, Romans 1:5, Romans 12:3, Romans 15:15, Romans 15:20, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 9:2, 1 Corinthians 15:10, 2 Corinthians 10:15, 2 Corinthians 11:13, Ephesians 2:20, Ephesians 3:2, Colossians 1:29, Colossians 4:17, 1 Timothy 1:11, 1 Timothy 4:16, 2 Timothy 2:15, James 3:1, 1 Peter 4:11, 2 Peter 2:1, Revelation 21:14, Revelation 21:19”
  8. 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”
  9. Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “2 Corinthians 10:14 cross-references: Mark 1:1, Acts 20:24, Romans 1:16, Romans 2:16, Romans 15:18, Romans 16:25, 1 Corinthians 2:10, 1 Corinthians 3:5, 1 Corinthians 3:10, 1 Corinthians 4:15, 1 Corinthians 9:1, 2 Corinthians 2:12, 2 Corinthians 3:1, 2 Corinthians 4:4, Galatians 1:6, Colossians 1:5, 1 Timothy 1:11”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion of Saints — According to the prayer of Christ -- Joh 17:20,21. Is with God. -- 1Jo 1:3. Saints in heaven. -- Heb 12:22-24. Each other. -- Ga 2:9; 1Jo 1:3,7. God marks, with his approval -- Mal 3:16. Christ is present in -- Mt 18:20. In public and social worship -- Ps 34:3; 55:14; Ac 1:14; Heb 10:25. In the Lord's supper -- 1Co 10:17. In holy conversation -- Mal 3:16. In prayer for each other -- 2Co 1:11; Eph 6:18. In exhortation -- Col 3:16; Heb 10:25. In mutual comfort and edification -- 1Th 4:18; 5:11. In mutual sympathy and kindness -- Ro 12:15; Eph 4:32”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:20: When . . . therefore--Resuming the thread of discourse from Co1 11:18. this is not to--rather, "there is no such thing as eating the LORD'S Supper"; it is not possible where each is greedily intent only on devouring "HIS OWN supper," and some are excluded altogether, not having been waited for (Co1 11:33), where some are "drunken," while others are "hungry" (Co1 11:21). The love-feast usually preceded the Lord's Supper (as eating the Passover came before the Lord's Supper at the first institution of the latter). It was a club-feast, where eac”
  12. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 10:16: 10:16-18 Paul affirms the spiritual meaning of sacred meals. In the Lord’s Supper, believers share in the blood and body of Christ (see also 11:17-34; Matt 26:26-28; Mark 14:22-24; Luke 22:19-20). Sharing one loaf unites believers as one body in Christ, just as the pagans’ religious meals unite them with the gods they worship (see 1 Cor 10:19-21).”
  13. Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 22:29: That ye may eat, and drink, at my table, in my kingdom,.... In the Gospel dispensation, or Gospel church state, in which Christ has a table, called the table of the Lord, Co1 10:21 which is the Lord's supper, and is a table well furnished with the best of provisions, his flesh and blood, of which believers may eat and drink with a hearty welcome; Christ himself being present to sup with them: and in his personal reign on earth, where will be the marriage supper of the Lamb, to which all the saints will be called; and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and be”
  14. Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican) “Thirty-Nine Articles of Religion (Anglican, 1571), 28.Of the Lord's Supper.: 28.Of the Lord's Supper.”
  15. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 109: Index of Scripture References Genesis 1:2 1:26 1:27 1:31 2:7 2:7 2:17 2:18 2:23 2:23 3:7 3:9 3:12 3:15 3:15 3:15 3:22 4:4 4:7 4:10 4:13 6:3 6:5 6:6 6:18 7:21 8:21 9:6 12:12 12:17 14:18 14:18 15:1 15:1 15:5 15:17 16:9 17:7 17:7 17:10 17:10 17:13 17:15 17:27 18:2 18:23 20:3 20:7 21:1 21:12 21:24 22:1 22:8 22:16-18 23:4 23:19 24:7 24:10 26:27 27:28 27:38-39 28:12 28:20 29 30:2 31:19 31:20 31:40-41 32 32:10 32:13 32:29-30 33 34 36:22 37:18 37:28 37:33 38:18 42 43 43:14 45:5 47:9 47:9 47:29-30 48:14 48:16 49:5-6 49:18 Exodus 2:12 3:2 3”
  16. CCEL (Eastern Orthodox) “John of Damascus, An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, section 105: 45:12 45:14 48:12 53:4-5 53:8 53:8 53:8 53:9 61:1 61:1 64:4 65:1-2 65:2 65:13-16 65:16 65:16 66:1 66:1-2 66:1-2 66:7 Jeremiah 1:6 17:9 23:22 23:24 Ezekiel 27:23 37:7 44:2 Daniel 1:8-16 2:15 2:22 3:20 3:23 6:16 10:2 11:37 12:1-3 Hosea 1:6-7 13:4 13:4 Amos 3:6 Micah 1:3 Zechariah 9:9 Malachi 1:11 3:6 3:6 3:6 3:6 4:2 4:2 4:6 Matthew 1:21 1:21 1:23 1:23 1:25 2:20 3:11 3:15 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 3:17 4:2 4:4 5:3 5:5 5:8 5:17 5:17 5:17 6:25 6:26 6:33 7:6 7:18 7:23 8:3 8:3 8:30 9:2 9:4 10:6 10:15 10:16 10:22 10:28 ”
  17. Augsburg Confession (Lutheran) “Augsburg Confession (Lutheran, 1530), Article X. Of the Lord's Supper.: Article X. Of the Lord's Supper.”
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