An Unworthy Manner - The Lord's Supper and Me

There are many lessons that modern Christians can learn from Paul’s instruction to the Corinthians concerning their misuse and abuse of the Lord’s supper.  The latter part of 1 Corinthians 11 is set apart in two ways from the prior section; 1.) Paul goes from praising the Corinthians in their use of the covering (11:2) to rebuking their attitude and manner of partaking of the Lord’s Supper (11:17); 2.) by moving from the individual/assembly to the assembly (11:18).  During Paul’s instructions concerning the Lord’s Supper, it is evident that the predominant selfish attitude of the Corinthian brethren was overwhelming in this part of their worship of God.  In fact, it seems as though the majority of the Christians had forgotten even the very reason for which they were to partake of the supper.

While it does seem as though the majority of the Corinthians were partaking in an unworthy manner, the passage indicates that there were still some trying to follow the method set forth by Christ, but were being interfered with by those who had turned the Lord’s Supper into a common meal and, essentially, a circus.  In 1 Corinthians 11:19, Paul says that the factions among the Corinthians needed to be noted because through them those that “are approved” could be recognized for doing it correctly.  This is an important distinction to make because it teaches modern Christians that those adhering to the method set forth by Christ are the ones who are approved, but those who do not adhere to it are not approved.  

In the so-called “religious world” today (and even some Christians), many adhere to the idea that it doesn’t matter how or why we come together, only that we do it somehow.  Additionally, many assert that being in ANY church is better than nothing at all.  However, Paul states that if worship is not done correctly (according to the methods instituted and ordained by God), then it is to our detriment, not for our betterment (1 Corinthians 11:17).  If we come together, but do not worship in accordance with God’s will, then how does it help us?

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul deals with how inappropriately the Corinthians were partaking of the Lord’s supper.  They were: 1.) Divided into factions; 2.) They were not coming together for the purpose of taking the Lord’s supper; 3.) They were NOT eating it together; and 4.) They were turning it into a common meal.  If, as many assert today, the manner and method are not necessarily important just so long as we worship God, then why does Paul then utilize the method set forth by Christ to correct the Corinthian’s abuse?

The pattern, as instituted by Christ (1 Corinthians 11:23; Matthew 26:20-30), was to partake together, to take unleavened bread and bless it before distribution, then take the fruit of the vine and bless it before it was divided among the assembly (in Matthew 26, the “assembly” was the twelve disciples; see also Luke 22:17).  From Acts 20:7, we inescapably conclude that this remembrance of the Lord is to occur every first day of the week.

Can we deviate from this pattern? Can we choose to alter the elements utilized during the supper? Can we choose to alter how much of the assembly partakes of it? Remember, we can only go as far as the Scriptures go and we must remember that Paul rebuked the Corinthians for their misuse of the elements and for only part of the assembly partaking.  Multiple times throughout 1 Corinthians 11, Paul rebukes the Corinthians for turning the Lord’s supper into a common meal and for not waiting for one another.  Should we, as modern Christians, not learn from this condemnation?

Consider what we learn from the instance in which Christ instituted this memorial feast; Christ sat down with the twelve (Matthew 26:20), they were eating together (Matthew 26:23), Judas dipped his hand WITH Jesus, not later (Matthew 26:23), Christ instituted the Lord’s supper as they were eating (Matthew 26:26), and Christ gave it to ALL of the disciples (Matthew 26:26).  Does only part of the assembly partaking of the Lord’s supper fit this pattern? It did not fit for the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11:21), Paul rebuked them for this in 11:22b, and instructed them to wait for one another in 11:33.

Paul emphasized the importance of getting the method correct as we are partaking of the Lord’s supper.  It isn’t about how we like it or about how we feel as we partake, but rather it is about how God commanded that it be done.  If we eat or drink in an unworthy manner, then we are ourselves guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:27).  It isn’t a generalized spiritual self-examination that Paul is commanding in 1 Corinthians 11:27-32, but rather an examination of how we are partaking of the Lord’s supper and whether we are doing it in the correct, Scriptural method or not.  By necessity, such a self-examination would force us to examine ourselves to ensure that we are walking correctly as Christians, but this is not the main purpose of this examination, but rather a secondary advantage or benefit.  The Christians in Corinth were “weak and sick” and many slept (1 Corinthians 11:30) because they were not performing these self-examinations and properly partaking of the Lord’s supper.   

The tone surrounding the institution of the Lord’s supper denotes a seriousness with which we should partake (Matthew 26:22).  The Apostles, knowing that the betrayal and death of Christ was forthcoming, were “exceedingly sorrowful.”  Likewise, we should remember each Lord’s day that it is because of our sins that Christ had to be betrayed and had to be crucified; while we may be joyous that Christ was willing and able to save us from these sins through this sacrifice, we should approach the memorial feast in a solemn manner with the reverence due the great King and Almighty God.  Remember the words found in Leviticus 10:3, “By those who come near Me I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.”  When we partake of the Lord’s supper, we commune with Christ and with one another.  In essence, we ARE drawing near to God and we MUST regard Him as holy.  The Lord’s supper isn’t about us, nor is it simply the “duty” of a Christian to take it.  Rather, it is something that should speak to us in an immensely powerful way every single Lord’s day and remind us of His sacrifice for OUR sins; a sacrifice for which we need to remember that we were not worthy.