Importance of Breaking Bread in Christian Community
The act of "breaking bread" holds significant theological and communal importance within Christian tradition, primarily symbolizing fellowship, remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, and unity among believers. This practice is deeply rooted in the New Testament, particularly in accounts of the Last Supper and the early church's activities [2, 5].
The institution of breaking bread is most clearly seen in the Lord's Supper, which Jesus initiated on the night he and his disciples ate the Passover meal [2]. During this meal, Jesus took bread, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19). He similarly shared a cup, signifying his blood of the new covenant [2, 5]. This act is not merely a symbolic gesture but, as Paul writes in 1 Corinthians, a "sharing of the body of Christ" and "a sharing of the blood of Christ" [1, 4]. The term "Lord's Supper" itself is found in 1 Corinthians 11:20, and other designations include "the Lord's table," "communion," "cup of blessing," and "breaking of bread" [5]. The early church also referred to it as "eucharist," meaning "giving of thanks" [5].
Beyond the direct institution of the Lord's Supper, "breaking bread" also describes the regular communal meals and fellowship of early Christians. Acts 2:42 notes that the new converts "continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers." This indicates that communal meals were a regular and integral part of their shared life, fostering a sense of unity and mutual support [7]. These gatherings were not just for physical sustenance but were spiritual acts, embodying the unity of believers in Christ. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, explains that because there is "one bread," those who partake are "one body," a "spiritual society" united by Christ's sacrifice [8].
The symbolism of a shared meal extends to covenant relationships and deep friendship, as seen in various biblical contexts [6]. For instance, Revelation 3:20 depicts Christ knocking at a door, promising to "share a meal" with those who open it, symbolizing renewed fellowship and a covenant relationship [6]. This echoes ancient practices where shared meals signified acceptance and strong bonds, as seen in Genesis 18:1-5 and Exodus 12:1-31 [6].
The importance of breaking bread also carries ethical implications for the Christian community. Paul admonishes the Corinthians to "keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" [3]. This suggests that participation in the communal meal requires a corresponding commitment to purity and truth in one's life and relationships within the community. The act of breaking bread, therefore, calls believers to examine their hearts and ensure their fellowship is characterized by genuine love and integrity. Matthew Henry, a Nonconformist commentator, emphasizes that Christ's purpose in giving himself was to create "a peculiar people, zealous of good works," and this includes brotherly love among believers [9].
The act of breaking bread serves as a constant reminder of Christ's sacrifice and resurrection, fostering a sense of gratitude and commitment among believers. It is a visible expression of the invisible bond that unites Christians, reinforcing their identity as one body in Christ and their shared participation in his redemptive work [8].
Sources
- 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”
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Lords Supper — The words which thus describe the great central act of the worship of the Christian Church occur but in a single passage of the New Testament-- (1 Corinthians 11:20) + Its institution .--It was instituted on that night when Jesus and his disciples met together to eat the passover, (Matthew 26:19; Mark 14:16; Luke 22:13) (on Thursday evening, April 6, A.D. 30). It was probably instituted at the third cup (the cup of blessing) of the passover [see on [821]Passover], Jesus taking one of the unleavened cakes used at the feast and breaking it and giving it t”
- 1 Corinthians “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old yeast, neither with the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. -- 1 Corinthians 5:8”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 10:16 (BSB) — Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lord's Supper — (1 Cor. 11:20), called also "the Lord's table" (10:21), "communion," "cup of blessing" (10:16), and "breaking of bread" (Acts 2:42). In the early Church it was called also "eucharist," or giving of thanks (comp. Matt. 26:27), and generally by the Latin Church "mass," a name derived from the formula of dismission, Ite, missa est, i.e., "Go, it is discharged." The account of the institution of this ordinance is given in Matt. 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, Luke 22:19, 20, and 1 Cor. 11:24-26. It is not mentioned by John. It was designed, (1.) To commemorate t”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 3:20: 3:20 A person or a church must hear Jesus knocking and open the door to him. Christ provides a pattern of revival for a church that has grown spiritually weak and fallen out of fellowship with him. Simply opening the door can renew their former bond. • we will share a meal: A shared meal symbolizes acceptance, deep friendship, and a covenant relationship (19:9; see Gen 18:1-5, 16-19; Exod 12:1-31; 18:12; Matt 26:26-30).”
- Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 2:41: And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine,.... And which is the same with the doctrine of Christ, of which he is the author, preacher, and subject; the substance of which is peace, pardon, righteousness, and salvation by him: this the apostles received from Christ, and constantly taught in their ministry; for which reason, it is called theirs; and this these young converts had embraced gladly; and were not only believers of it, but persevering believers; they were constant hearers of it; they continually attended on the ministry of the apostles, and held ”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 10:17: For we, being many, are one bread - The original would be better translated thus: Because there is one bread, or loaf; we, who are many, are one body. As only one loaf was used at the passover, and those who partook of it were considered to be one religious body; so we who partake of the eucharistical bread and wine, in commemoration of the sacrificial death of Christ, are one spiritual society, because we are all made partakers of that one Christ whose blood was shed for us to make an atonement for our sins; as the blood of the paschal lamb was shed and spr”
- Hebrews (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Hebrews 13:1: The design of Christ in giving himself for us is that he may purchase to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Now the apostle calls the believing Hebrews to the performance of many excellent duties, in which it becomes Christians to excel. I. To brotherly love (Heb 13:1), by which he does not only mean a general affection to all men, as our brethren by nature, all made of the same blood, nor that more limited affection which is due to those who are of the same immediate parents, but that special and spiritual affection which ought to exist among the ”