1 Corinthians 10:16

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

The cup {G4221} of blessing {G2129} which {G3739} we bless {G2127}, is it {G2076} not {G3780} the communion {G2842} of the blood {G129} of Christ {G5547}? The bread {G740} which {G3739} we break {G2806}, is it {G2076} not {G3780} the communion {G2842} of the body {G4983} of Christ {G5547}?

The “cup of blessing” over which we make the b’rakhah — isn’t it a sharing in the bloody sacrificial death of the Messiah? The bread we break, isn’t it a sharing in the body of the Messiah?

Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?

1 Corinthians 10:16 is a pivotal verse that delves into the profound spiritual significance of the Christian sacrament of the Lord's Supper, also known as Holy Communion or the Eucharist. It asks rhetorical questions to affirm that partaking in the bread and wine is not merely a symbolic act, but a genuine participation in the very body and blood of Jesus Christ.

Context

This verse is found within a broader section (1 Corinthians 10:1-22) where the Apostle Paul warns the Corinthian believers against idolatry and spiritual compromise. He uses the historical examples of ancient Israel's failures in the wilderness, such as their idolatry (as seen in 1 Corinthians 10:7), to caution the Corinthians against participating in pagan feasts. Paul establishes a stark contrast: just as Israel's sacrifices created fellowship with their altars, so too does Christian communion create fellowship with Christ. He is preparing to argue that one cannot truly partake of the "table of the Lord" and also the "table of devils" (1 Corinthians 10:21), emphasizing the exclusive nature of devotion to Christ.

Key Themes

  • Communion and Participation: The central theme is the deep spiritual connection believers share with Christ through the Lord's Supper. It signifies a genuine sharing in His atoning sacrifice.
  • Spiritual Unity: By partaking of the same bread and cup, believers are united not only with Christ but also with each other, forming one body in Him. This concept is further elaborated in 1 Corinthians 10:17.
  • The Sacredness of the Ordinance: Paul elevates the Lord's Supper from a mere ritual to a profound spiritual encounter with serious implications for those who participate unworthily (as discussed later in 1 Corinthians 11:27).
  • Exclusivity of Worship: The verse implicitly warns against syncretism, reinforcing that Christian worship is exclusive and cannot be mixed with pagan practices or idolatry.

Linguistic Insights

The key word in this verse is "communion," which translates the Greek word koinonia (κοινωνία). Koinonia is much richer than just "sharing" or "fellowship." It implies a deep, intimate participation, a common bond, and a sharing in something significant. When Paul uses koinonia here, he is emphasizing that partaking in the bread and wine means a real, spiritual participation in the benefits and reality of Christ's sacrifice, not just a remembrance of it. It's a genuine connection to His atoning blood and broken body.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Corinthians 10:16 calls for a profound reverence and understanding when observing the Lord's Supper. It encourages us to:

  • Approach with Awe: Recognize that this is not just a tradition, but a sacred act where we spiritually participate in Christ's ultimate sacrifice.
  • Live in Unity: Remember that partaking together signifies our unity as the body of Christ, fostering reconciliation and love among believers.
  • Examine Our Hearts: Reflect on our spiritual condition and commitment, ensuring we are not living in ways that compromise our fellowship with Christ or with one another, especially avoiding any form of spiritual idolatry or divided loyalty.
  • Remember Christ's Sacrifice: The verse serves as a powerful reminder of the central truth of the Gospel: Christ's body broken and His blood shed for the forgiveness of sins, an event instituted by Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Matthew 26:26

    ¶ And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed [it], and brake [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

  • Matthew 26:28

    For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:23

    ¶ For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the [same] night in which he was betrayed took bread:

  • 1 Corinthians 11:29

    For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.

  • Acts 2:42

    ¶ And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

  • 1 John 1:7

    But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

  • Hebrews 3:14

    For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;

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