The Communion
The Communion
Paul here complains that the Corinthians are not taking the Communion properly. Their behavior is not only very unscriptural but fleshly. 11:21 says that the Corinthians eat their own supper before others. For those who did not bring their own food, they became hungry. Some even got drunk. They were actually despising the church of God. (11:22)
Then he explained the scriptural meaning of the Communion in 11:23-26. According to the instructions he received directly from the Lord, the bread stands for his body and the cup his blood of the “new” covenant. We are to take the bread and cup “in remembrance of” his death for us until he returns. We should examine ourselves seriously before taking the bread and cup, or we will offend the Lord’s body and blood and take our own guilt.
He further suggests that whoever is hungry should eat at home before joining the Communion service. Before the service begins, everyone should wait for one another to make sure that we hold the Communion service altogether.