1 Corinthians 11:17-22 (WEL) Now concerning what I’m going to tell you, I don’t praise you, for you don’t assemble together for the best but for the worst. 18 First of all, when you assemble together in the congregation, I hear that there are divisions among you, and I partly believe it. 19 For there must also be cliques among you, so that those who are genuine may be clearly seen among you. 20 Therefore, when you assemble together into one place, is it not to eat the Lord’s Supper? 21 For in eating, everyone takes their own supper before the others, so one is hungry, and another is drunk. 22 What, don’t you have houses to eat and drink in, or do you despise the congregation of God and embarrass those who don’t have anything? What will I say to you? Will I praise you for this? I do not praise you.
V17 Now concerning what I’m going to tell you, I don’t praise you, for you don’t assemble together for the best but for the worst.
The words of stern rebuke. Instead of cursing them like ungodly people would do, Paul shows us the example of stern rebuke without using rough words that would make others angry.
V18 First of all, when you assemble together in the congregation, I hear that there are divisions among you, and I partly believe it.
Instead of being one family, they are divided. The specific groupings are not mentioned. But, division in the church harms faith, dampens witness, and hinders growth. Unity should be promoted by having one standard—the Bible, one Gospel—the Gospel of Jesus Christ (faith alone through Christ alone), and one law—the Law of Christ. It is an attitude of God’s ways first.
V19 For there must also be cliques among you, so that those who are genuine may be clearly seen among you.
Those who separate may be false converts. Another interpretation is a separation from those doing God’s will and those who are sinning by their separation as in racial, financial status, age, etc.
V20 Therefore, when you assemble together into one place, is it not to eat the Lord’s Supper?
The Lord’s Supper is a memorial, not a means of grace (sacrament). See Luke 22:19. It is to remember Jesus’s ministry as the Passover Lamb, His love, mercy (Psalm 48:9), and forgiveness.
The meal (the Agape meal) was a communal feast for remembering that Last Supper. It was meant for all believers to share. We need to share spiritual gifts, physical helps, and a family meal remembering and honoring the Lord Jesus.
V21 For in eating, everyone takes their own supper before the others, so one is hungry, and another is drunk.
Instead of sharing and being a blessing to those who have less, they take what they want selfishly, not considering others’ needs. That is more aligned with animals than a caring, loving family.
V22 What, don’t you have houses to eat and drink in, or do you despise the congregation of God and embarrass those who don’t have anything? What will I say to you? Will I praise you for this? I do not praise you.
The solution is if you are that hungry, eat at home and fill yourself to max. The principle is to think of others’ needs. See Ephesians 4:29, Philippians 2:4, and Hebrews 13:16.
We learn:
- Some principles of wrong actions regarding the Agape meal and remembering the Lord Jesus’s ministry.
- A godly method of rebuking.
Questions:
- How is your attitude? Me first or others’ first?
- What is your method of rebuking?