1 Corinthians (Written)

Wednesday, 26 November 2014

 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. 1 Corinthians 11:30

Because of the “unworthy manner” in which the congregants at Corinth had taken the Lord’s Supper, Paul says that “many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.” In other words, he directly equates their weakness, sickness, and deaths to their conduct at the meal. There are a couple things to note about this:

1) As he wrote this letter directly to those at Corinth, then his words about the sickness and death must be true, regardless of the reason for it.

2) As this letter specifically addresses their improper conduct at the Lord’s Supper, this certainly happened.

3) Because he is tying their health to the improper observance of the Lord’s Supper, he is fully convinced that this is the cause of the ill-health and death; it is a spiritual connection between two physical concepts.

Concerning the third point, scholars have attempted to equate the physical aspect of the meal (overindulgence) with the ill-health and death, but if that were the case then why would Paul only call them out for their overindulgence and improper attitude during the Lord’s Supper? In fact, he rhetorically asked them, “Do you not have houses to eat and drink in?” If he was concerned about their portly appearance or their over-indulgence in wine, he would have said, “You are living in an unhealthy way and you will keel over from it some day.” But instead, he ties these things directly to the Lord’s Supper.

Their weakness, sickness, and “sleep” (meaning death; it is an idiom for death to a follower of the Lord) is a direct result of improper conduct during the Lord’s Supper. Although this may have been an occurrence unique to the Apostolic period of the church, there is nothing to suggest that. If there is ill health or even premature death in a congregation, the conduct of the Lord’s Supper should be evaluated. What God chooses to use as a form of chastisement and judgment is up to Him. The fact that this is recorded in the Bible shows us that this may occur if the observance is improperly conducted.

Life application: How God judges is up to God. It is our duty to learn His word, adhere to it, and render to Him submission and obedience with a right and holy attitude.

O God, when things go bad, how can I know if it is simply the course of life or your judgment on me? At what point do I say, “This is unfair”? Lord, no matter what, I will trust that in anything that happens, there is nothing unfair in it and I will praise you through the storm. And I will also review my life and make sure that I’m following Your word as I should. If I am, then whatever happens must not be because of discipline. I will accept even the trials as grace if I am living as I should. How I love You, so be with me and strengthen me O God. Amen.

Tuesday, 25 November 2014

For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 1 Corinthians 11:29

“For” builds upon the previous thought concerning the taking of the Lord’s Supper. Paul has just noted that partaking in an unworthy manner makes one guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. Therefore, a self-examination should occur before one partakes. And the reason for this is given in what follows the opening word “for.” It is because “he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself.”

In this, a connection is being made between the judgment symbolized in the elements: that of the death of the Lord, and that of the judgment which one drinks to himself when partaking of those same elements in an unworthy manner. If what Jesus did is treated in an impious or flippant manner, then judgment is to be necessarily expected for that attitude.

The type of judgment is explained in the coming verses, 30-32. It is explicitly noted as temporal, or earthly judgment. And this is what should be expected. If a non-believer partakes of the elements, then there is no true meaning to that non-believer in what they are doing, therefore, no true judgment would work to correct their unbelief. However, if a believer (which is whom Paul is implying in his words) partakes in an unworthy manner, then a temporal judgment, resulting in temporal punishment should be the logically expected outcome. They are already saved by Christ. Therefore, what they need is correction in this life, not in the next.

And all of this is expected because of “not discerning the Lord’s body.” There was no distinction made between what is holy and what is profane. It implies eating and drinking as if the elements are common and it fails to make the necessary connection to the work of Christ on our behalf.

The King James Version has the most unfortunate and confused rendering of “eateth and drinketh damnation to himself.” Some speculate that the term “damnation” which they use may have had less force at the time of the translation, but this is improbable. A review of the other uses of the word “damnation” in the KJV point particularly to the punishments of hell. But the word translated here is krima. It is more properly rendered “judgment.” As Vincent’s Word Studies notes, krima “is a temporary judgment, and so is distinguished from katakrima – condemnation, from which this temporary judgment is intended to save the participant.”

This mistranslation has caused many to fall into neuroses over the taking of the elements and it has led many to not take them at all. This then is exactly the opposite of what is actually commanded in that we are, as the Lord says, to participate as “often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”

Life application: If you have been saved by the blood of Christ, you will never become “unsaved.” However, your actions may have consequences in this life and they may lead to a loss of rewards in the eternal state. The way to avoid these pitfalls is to know your Bible and apply it to your life.

Heavenly Father, it is so sad to see churches that once held fast to Your word but which now allow the most vile and despicable practices within their walls. What is sacred and holy is treated with contempt. Pagans are allowed to enter the sanctuary and pray to false gods and to trample over the exalted name of Jesus Christ. As long as You give me breath, I will proclaim Jesus and Jesus alone, holding fast to His words that He is the way, the truth, and the life, and that there is no other way to be reconciled to You but through Him. I stand on Christ my Lord. Amen.

Monday, 24 November 2014

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 1 Corinthians 11:28

In the preceding verse, and in the verse which follows as well, the notion of partaking of the bread and the cup in an “unworthy manner” is noted. This then is an insert into the discussion on that concept. Only after determining his motivations as he comes before the table should a person then partake.

The verb for “examine” is dokimazo, and it indicates that one should prove themselves concerning sincerity. If one is coming before the table with a feeling of meriting the elements, then they have a misunderstanding of their own state before the Lord. There is nothing in a person which merits what they symbolize. Rather, we are wholly dependent on the grace of Jesus Christ for His work which was accomplished on our behalf.

This concept of personal unworthiness, however, isn’t what Paul is referring to (as was seen in the preceding verse). Rather, he is referring to the manner in which one approaches the table. Being unworthy in no way prohibits participation in the Lord’s Supper. Rather, acting in an unworthy manner does. An unworthy manner then could actually be demonstrated in someone’s belief that they were, in fact, worthy of what they were receiving! In this, true humility is set against feelings of self-righteousness or of “inherently deserving” what the elements signify.

Once one has evaluated himself and tested his motivations, he should then ensure that his actions as he partakes are in line with his proper motivations. If so, then “let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” It is a process of internal evaluation combined with an external demonstration which Paul speaks of.

Life application: In receiving the elements of the Lord’s Supper, be pleased that the Lord has accepted you by His grace despite your inherent unworthiness to come before Him. In gratitude to this, be sure to conduct yourself in a manner which is worthy of that.

Glorious God! When I’m at the end of my rope and only the abyss lies beneath me, I still have the confidence that Your hand is there holding me. I know for sure that my true happiness isn’t dependent on my actions, but rather it is secure in Your care of me. I have to live in these trials, and they are painful, but because of what lies ahead, they are merely temporary steps which I was ordained to take in order to strengthen my faith in You. And so, even though they aren’t pleasing, I will praise You through the trials. Amen.

Sunday, 23 November 2014

Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:27

“Therefore” is given for a mental review of what Paul has already laid out concerning the Lord’s Supper –

1) The Lord Jesus shows that partaking in the bread is given as a symbolic remembrance of His broken body.
2) He shows that partaking in the cup is given as a symbolic remembrance of His shed blood.
3) In taking the elements, one is making a proclamation of the Lord’s death till He comes.

Thus “therefore” has been given to reflect on this. Understanding this then, “whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” Some translations incorrectly say “whoever eats this bread and drinks this cup.” The conjunction is “or” not “and.” During the Lord’s Supper, partaking of either element demands the same respectful attitude when received.

Also, note that Paul uses the term “bread” not “flesh.” The continued use of the word bread, even at the point of consumption by an individual, shows that it was, is, and remains bread. It does not somehow transmute into the actual body of the Lord, even when received. The same is true with the cup. It does not become the Lord’s literal blood. Were it so, Paul would have said so in this verse as an indication of it. This is of the highest importance to understand and remember because the Christian is not re-enacting a bloody sacrifice. Instead, he is remembering one, once for all time.

Next, the words “unworthy manner” are appropriate. The word in Greek is anaxios which is an adverb; unworthily. Those who don’t partake of the Lord’s Supper because they have done something wrong which makes them believe they are unworthy have misunderstood what is being conveyed and should be corrected. All people, even those who seem the epitome of piety and self-control, are inherently unworthy of this honor. Were “worthiness” a consideration in partaking of the Lord’s Supper, there would be no Lord’s Supper.

Rather, it is those who flippantly receive the elements, or who treat them in an unholy manner, who are being spoken of. The sacredness of the ritual, not the state of the individual, is what is being spoken of here. To come with arrogance, to mock the ritual, or to conduct oneself in an impious manner are reasons for guilt. And the guilt bears a penalty. The term for ” guilty” is enochos. It essentially means “libel to penalty.” They have committed a personal crime deserving of punishment.

Life application: The Lord’s Table is a solemn remembrance of the death of Jesus Christ. It should be conducted with a sense of dignity and in a most pious manner. Likewise, it should be received with gratitude, a holy demeanor, and in a way which honors the greatest deed which has ever occurred in human existence.

Lord God, when I come before You in solemn occasions or when I’m in a place dedicated to You, I try to do so with respect, care, and honor of You. But do I do this during the rest of my time? I am always in Your presence, and Your Spirit has sealed me for the day of redemption. I know this is true and so shouldn’t I always act in a manner which reflects holiness? Help me in this Lord. May I never bring discredit upon You my Lord. Amen.

Saturday, 22 November 2014

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes. 1 Corinthians 11:26

Christ’s words of instruction to Paul have been completed and so he now states the word “for” to show that his words of explanation lie ahead. What Christ proclaimed has a purpose. As He said, “Do this in remembrance of me.” Paul’s “for” then is given to reiterate and fully explain this. Every time the Lord’s Supper is held it is a memorial. And so “as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death.”

It is an open proclamation that we believe that Christ died for us. As He is Lord, and as He died, then this is the only possible explanation. Being the Lord implies sinless perfection. As “the wages of sin is death,” then His death must have come as a payment for sin, but not His own. In other words, He is our substitutionary atonement. Further, it implies that His righteousness (in that He has not sinned) is imputed to us. What would be the point of Him dying if this were not the case? There would be none.

Therefore, this is our proclamation. We are to participate in the Lord’s Supper, acknowledging His work on our behalf “till He comes.” Whether Christ’s return was expected in a short time after His ascension, or whether it will be ten thousand years from today, we are to continue making this solemn proclamation until that time.

Of note is the fact that the Lord’s Table doesn’t explicitly include the resurrection. It doesn’t say “you proclaim the Lord’s death and resurrection till he comes.” The death of Christ implies substitution. If He is coming again, it implies that He has risen and ascended. As this is true, it therefore implies that if His righteousness is imputed to us, and that we will, in fact, rise again. In other words, the Lord’s Table is a table of faith.

We are placing our hope and trust in the promises of Scripture that they contain the truth concerning the work of the Lord and the return of the Lord. If Scripture isn’t the word of God, then we are truly to be pitied. If it is, then nothing can separate us from the surety of the promises which the Lord’s Table implies – Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again, and we will be like Him at that time. We will be given eternal life and all of the promises of the Word of God will be realized in us at that time!

Finally and once again, in this verse we see the nonsensical nature of the Roman Catholic teaching of transubstantiation (the bread and wine literally becoming Christ’s flesh). Paul said, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup…” He does not say, nor does he imply, that we are eating the Lord’s body or drinking His blood. Instead, just as was seen in the words of Jesus, the bread and wine are symbolic of His work, nothing more.

Life application: Participating in the Table of the Lord implies that the words of Scripture concerning Christ are true, accurate, and complete. If you cannot accept the words of the Bible, then how can you accept the truth which the Lord’s Supper promises? The very hope of heaven itself is tied up in the surety of God’s word. Have faith that the Bible is absolute truth.

Lord, what would be the point of believing in the hope of heaven and eternal life if the Bible isn’t true? The only place that tells me of the life and work of Jesus is that precious book. Who am I then to choose which verses don’t really apply? Rather, I believe Christ is Lord and that Your word confirms this. It is Your word, and therefore, it is truth. And so I will read it, think on it, and do my very best to rightly divide it all the days of my life. Amen!