A reader wrote, “How many times have we all read and heard 1 Corinthians 11, 23-32. and specifically, verses 27 -29; “For he that eateth and drinketh UNWORTHILY, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, NOT DISCERNING THE LORD’S BODY”. “When I take communion KNOWING THAT I AM NOT, AND/OR WILL NOT, AND/OR HAVE NOT, BEEN WILLING TO “DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO EDIFY AND BUILD THE KINGDOM”,
Readers question is, “Discerning the Lord’s body! What exactly is this?
I DO NOT DISCERN THAT I AM MAKING A VOW TO WORK WITH THOSE WHO DO! I am not discerning that I AM MAKING AND BREAKING A VOW (COMMUNION) AT THE SAME TIME! For this cause many [are] weak, and sickly among you, and many sleep”. (SLEEP: LITERALLY “TO DIE” A HELL BOUND DEATH!).”
Phil wrote, 1 Corinthians 11:29, appears to be the main target.
Let’s examine the five Greek word found in verse 29, which reads, “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.”
The words are,
1. UNWORTHILY: Greek is, anaxios. Adverb. There are four Greek words for unworthy. Concerning, 1 Corinthians 11:29, it means, Unworthily, as in an improper manner, irreverently, 1 Corinthians 11:27-29, “He that eateth and drinketh unworthily.”
2. DAMNATION: Condemnation: Judgement: Greek is, krima. Judgment, as in the act of judging, giving judgment, as spoken only in reference to future reward and punishment. But more often, it is the sentence of punishment, condemnation, implying also the punishment itself as a certain consequence,
Luke 20:47, Those, “Which devour widows’ houses, — shall receive greater damnation.” Luke 23:40, “Dost not thou fear God, see thou art in the same condemnation?”
Luke 24:20, “Delivered him to be condemned to death.”
Rom.2:2-3, “O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God?”
Romans 3:8, 13:2, “They that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.”
3. NOT: Greek is “ou.” It is a negative particle, not, no. Expressing direct and full negation, independently and absolutely, therefore objective.
4. DISCERNING: Differ: Difference: Greek is, diakrino. There are five Greek words for discern, discerning etc. Concerning 1 Corinthians 11:29,
To separate throughout, as in wholly, completely, trans. Middle term in which two extremes are separately compared, and by means of which they are brought together in the conclusion. To separate one’s self, etc.
By implying to distinguish, to make a distinction, to cause to differ;
Acts 15:9, “Put no difference between us and them.” 1 Corinthians 11:29, “Not discerning the Lord’s body,” as from common food. Middle term in which two extremes are separately compared, and by means of which they are brought together in conclusion. James 2:4, “Are ye not then partial in yourselves,” do ye not then make a distinction in yourselves? as in are ye not partial? Interrogatory, and as apodosis, or the principal clause of a conditional sentence, expressing results. With the idea of preference, prerogative, 1 Corinthians 4:7, “Who maketh thee to differ from another?” As a Trope, or Metaphor. To distinguish, to discern clearly, to note accurately, Matthew 16:3, “can ye not discern the signs of the times?” 1 Corinthians 11:31, “if we would judge ourselves,” as if we took a proper view, formed a just estimate of ourselves.
1 Corinthians 14:29, “Let the other judge.” Greek, “prove,” or “try the spirits,” in John 4:1. Septuagint for, “try (test) words,” Job.12:11.
5. Body. Greek is “sdoma.” A body, as an organized whole made up of parts and members.
Specifically of the body of Christ as crucified for the salvation of man; 1 Corinthians 11:29. Mark 14:22. Luke 22:19, and Matthew 26:26, “Jesus took bread, blessed it, brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat, this is my body.” Romans 7:4, “Ye are become dead to the law by the body of Christ,” as through Christ crucified. 1 Corinthians 10:16, “The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”
The five words above lay for us a foundation concerning your question. Also let me remind the reader that the whole of the text is important for a surer understanding.
The Corinthians’ contemptable behavior and shameful display of greed and ostentation no longer could be considered as honoring the Lord when they came together.
1 Corinthians 11:19-20, “There must be also heresies (a sect) among you that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.” Here we have the sects (the drunks and the glutinous) eating and drinking among the approved.
The Lord’s Supper had been turned into a memorial and ritual of selfishness and riotous eating and drinking by some, this dividing the brothers and sisters. This behavior also fueled the neglect of the sick and poor.
The historical origin and worthy celebration of the Lord’s Supper was to be a proclamation of the Lord’s death. This proclamation was not of men,
Galatians 1:11-12, “For I (Paul) neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Paul had the authority to condemn what was going on in Corinth.
This memorial should have been a sermon on the central text of the Christian faith, that being the cross. Christians’ were and are to do this in remembrance of Christ, Jesus said,
1 Corinthians 11:24, “This do in remembrance of me.”
The body of Christ is the church, which consists of individual believers.
1 Corinthians 12:12, “For as the body is one, and hath many members, all the member of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ who is the head.” Verse 27, “Ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular = (individuals.)”
Every individual is to prove or test their own state of mind in respect to Christ’s death. Therefore there must be a self examination; a soul searching introspection and a silent confession so as not to sin against the spiritual presence of the Holy Spirit; also that we may partake and not stay away from communicating with others.
Damnation here implies judgment. This judgment is described in,
1 Corinthians 11:30-31-32, “Many are weak and sickly among you, and may sleep (are dead.) For if WE would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.”
Those that had money, food, etc. in the Corinthian church were neglecting or even despised the poor, thus separating themselves from them. This may have been a cause for the sickly, and possibility the cause of death to others: most likely from poverty and lack of aid.
Yet these same people who ignored the poor would participate in the Lord’s supper having no shame, or guilt. To sin against a brother or sister is to sin against Christ,
1 Cor.8:12, “When ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.”
These same people sinned against the body and blood of the Lord, over-eating and over-drinking. They discarding the most basic needs of others.
1 Corinthians 11:21-22, “For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? — shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.”
They lacked God’s approval in this behavior. They were to ask forgiveness from the offended. Only then would a true spirit of fellowship and worship grow and thrive.
Participating in the Lord’s Supper without confession of sin, would bring God’s judgment. We must turn our behavior around and act accordingly. Only in this way could we avoid judgment.
This is not a judgment unto eternal damnation. This was to be a punishment imposed upon these self serving people. 1 Corinthians 11:32, “When we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should NOT be condemned with the world.”
The judgment of the world is to be the last judgment, or the last condemnation to individuals sent to the eternal lake of fire.
Phil LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com