1 CORINTHIANS 11
17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not. – 1 Corinthians 11:17-22
1 CORINTHIANS 11 PREPARING FOR TAKING THE LORD’S SUPPER
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
When you are a member of the church of Christ
You are expected to remember Jesus’ sacrifice
Therefore, you must honor this remembrance
Don’t just take the Lord’s supper without preparation
Make sure you let go of all divisions and have sins confessed
You will be defiling the symbol of the cross if you don’t.
Paul reproves the Corinthian believers in this letter with regards to their demeanor before they were taking the Lord’s Supper. It has come to his attention that there are divisions and factions going on in the church. He corrects their attitudes when coming to partake of this remembrance. Some of them are acting like they are eating a meal in their own homes, where there is no control as to how they eat. He scolds them like a father would his own children and confronts wrong ways they do things that are not edifying God.
In the previous chapter, he commands them to flee from idolatry and reminds them of the cup of wine that they share. Each of them partakes of one bread for they are all members of the body of Christ. He also mentioned that they cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and the cup of the demons and partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. It will provoke jealousy from God.
REFLECTION
· Why is it important for us to prepare our hearts and minds when we take the Lord’s Supper? What happens if we don’t?
