1 Corinthians 11:20

KJV

When ye come together therefore into one place, [this] is not to eat the Lord's supper.

KJV (with Strong's)

When ye {G5216} come together {G4905} therefore {G3767} into {G1909} one place {G846}, this is {G2076} not {G3756} to eat {G5315} the Lord's {G2960} supper {G1173}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Thus, when you gather together, it is not to eat a meal of the Lord;

Berean Standard Bible

Now then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat.

American Standard Version

When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible to eat the Lord’s supper:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In the Apostle Paul delivers a sharp rebuke to the Corinthian church, asserting that their communal gatherings, despite their intention, were not truly an observance of the Lord's Supper. Their selfish and divisive conduct, marked by social stratification and gluttony during what should have been a sacred meal, utterly contradicted the spiritual essence and unifying purpose of Christ's institution, rendering their practice a desecration rather than a holy remembrance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a larger section of Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians [1 Corinthians 11:17-34](/1_corinthians/11-17-34 "1 Corinthians 11:17-34 - Instructions on the Lord's Supper") where he addresses a series of grave disorders within their church gatherings. Prior to this, Paul has discussed issues of unity and division, particularly in [1 Corinthians 1:10-17](/1_corinthians/1-10-17 "1 Corinthians 1:10-17 - Divisions in the Church") and [1 Corinthians 3:1-9](/1_corinthians/3-1-9 "1 Corinthians 3:1-9 - God's Fellow Workers"), and the importance of Christian liberty and love in [1 Corinthians 8-10](/1_corinthians/8 "1 Corinthians 8 - Food Sacrificed to Idols"). The immediate context of [1 Corinthians 11](/1_corinthians/11 "1 Corinthians 11 - Head Coverings and the Lord's Supper") involves Paul correcting their practices regarding head coverings in worship, before transitioning to the even more serious problem of their corrupted observance of the Lord's Supper, which he introduces with a strong condemnation in [1 Corinthians 11:17](/1_corinthians/11-17 "1 Corinthians 11:17 - Paul's Disapproval").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Early Christian communities often gathered for a common meal, sometimes referred to as an "agape feast" or "love feast," which typically culminated in the celebration of the Lord's Supper. This practice mirrored the Last Supper, which Jesus shared with His disciples within the context of a Passover meal. In Corinth, a wealthy and socially stratified Roman city, the church members brought their own food for these communal meals. Unfortunately, the wealthier members, who could afford more and better food, were eating their fill, even to the point of drunkenness, without waiting for the poorer members, who often arrived later from their work and had little to contribute. This created a stark social division within the very gathering meant to signify unity in Christ, turning a sacred act of fellowship into a display of social inequality and selfishness, directly contrary to the spirit of the early church's communal life described in [Acts 2:42-47](/acts/2-42-47 "Acts 2:42-47 - The Fellowship of the Believers").

* **Key Themes:** This verse highlights several critical themes. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **disorder and division** within the Corinthian church, demonstrating how their social stratification and selfish behavior undermined the very purpose of Christian fellowship. Instead of fostering unity, their gatherings exposed deep rifts, contrasting sharply with Paul's earlier emphasis on the church as [one body in Christ](/1_corinthians/12-12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:12-27 - One Body, Many Members"). Secondly, it reveals a profound **misunderstanding of sacred purpose**. The Corinthians had reduced the Lord's Supper from a solemn remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and a proclamation of His return to a mere ordinary meal, or worse, an occasion for gluttony and social display. This disregard for its spiritual significance is a central concern. Finally, the verse implicitly emphasizes the **reverence due to Christ's institution**. By calling it "the Lord's supper," Paul stresses its divine origin and ownership, implying that to treat it disrespectfully is to dishonor Christ Himself, who instituted it as a covenant meal, as described in [Luke 22:19-20](/luke/22-19-20 "Luke 22:19-20 - Institution of the Lord's Supper").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Lord's (Greek, _kyriakós'_):** From G2960, this adjective means "belonging to the Lord (Jehovah or Jesus)." Its use here is crucial, as it emphasizes the divine ownership and sacred nature of the meal. It is not "their" supper, nor merely a common meal, but one instituted by and belonging to Christ Himself. This word immediately elevates the supper above ordinary human feasts, underscoring its unique spiritual significance and demanding a corresponding reverence.
* **supper (Greek, _deîpnon'_):** From G1173, this noun refers to "dinner, i.e., the chief meal (usually in the evening)." While it denotes a common meal, its combination with "_kyriakós_" transforms it into something far more profound. The Corinthians were treating the "_kyriakós deîpnon_" as if it were just any "_deîpnon_," stripping it of its sacred, Christ-ordained character and reducing it to a secular gathering for personal gratification.
* **not (Greek, _ou'_):** From G3756, this is the absolute negative adverb. Paul's use of "_ou_" here is a strong, unequivocal denial. He is not merely suggesting that their observance is imperfect or flawed; he is emphatically stating that what they are doing is *not* the Lord's Supper at all, in its true spiritual essence and purpose. This absolute negation underscores the severity of their deviation and the extent to which their behavior had corrupted the sacred institution.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"When ye come together therefore into one place":** This phrase sets the scene, referring to the regular communal gatherings of the Corinthian church. The "one place" signifies their assembly as the body of Christ, a place where unity and fellowship should be paramount. The "therefore" (G3767, _oûn_) logically connects this statement to Paul's prior criticisms of their divisions and contentions mentioned in [1 Corinthians 11:18](/1_corinthians/11-18 "1 Corinthians 11:18 - Divisions when you come together"). It highlights the irony that their coming together, which should have fostered unity, was instead exacerbating their divisions.
* **"this is not to eat the Lord's supper."**: This is Paul's damning verdict. He is not denying that they are physically eating food, but he is emphatically stating that their actions so fundamentally contradict the nature and purpose of the Lord's Supper that it ceases to be a genuine observance of it. Their gluttony, selfishness, and disregard for the poor members of the community desecrated the meal, transforming it from a sacred remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and a symbol of their unity into a shameful display of worldly social stratification. The phrase implies that the spiritual reality of the Supper was entirely absent due to their unholy conduct.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey the gravity of the Corinthians' misconduct. The most prominent is **Irony**. The Corinthians believed they were gathering to "eat the Lord's supper," yet Paul declares that their actions were so antithetical to its purpose that it was, in fact, "not" the Lord's Supper. This creates a stark contrast between their perception and the spiritual reality. There is also an element of **Understatement** or **Litotes** in Paul's blunt negation. By simply stating "this is not to eat the Lord's supper," he is not merely pointing out a minor flaw but condemning a profound spiritual desecration, implying far more than the words explicitly state. This rhetorical force serves to shock the Corinthians into recognizing the severity of their behavior and the sacredness of the institution they were defiling.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Corinthians 11:20](/1_corinthians/11-20 "1 Corinthians 11:20 - The Lord's Supper") serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of Christian worship and community. It underscores that outward religious observances are meaningless, or even offensive, if they are not accompanied by inward spiritual reality and Christ-like conduct. The Lord's Supper is not merely a ritual; it is a profound act of remembrance, a proclamation of Christ's atoning death, and a visible expression of the unity of the body of Christ. When the Corinthians allowed social divisions, selfishness, and gluttony to dominate their gatherings, they betrayed the very essence of the Supper, demonstrating a failure to "discern the Lord's body"—both the broken body of Christ on the cross and His mystical body, the Church. This verse calls believers to a deep self-examination regarding their motives, attitudes, and treatment of fellow believers when participating in sacred acts of worship.

* [1 Corinthians 10:16-17](/1_corinthians/10-16-17 "1 Corinthians 10:16-17 - Participation in Christ"): "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? For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread."
* [1 Corinthians 11:27-29](/1_corinthians/11-27-29 "1 Corinthians 11:27-29 - Unworthy Partaking"): "Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord... For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body."
* [Matthew 26:26-28](/matthew/26-26-28 "Matthew 26:26-28 - Institution of the Lord's Supper"): "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. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Corinthians 11:20](/1_corinthians/11-20 "1 Corinthians 11:20 - The Lord's Supper") serves as a timeless challenge to believers and churches today. It forces us to look beyond the mere performance of religious rituals and to examine the heart and spirit of our communal gatherings, especially when observing the Lord's Supper. Are our worship services truly honoring Christ, or are they marred by self-centeredness, social distinctions, or a lack of genuine love for one another? The passage calls for profound reverence for the sacred institution of communion, reminding us that it is not a casual meal but a solemn act of remembrance and proclamation of Christ's sacrifice. Furthermore, it demands that our participation be accompanied by genuine unity and concern for all members of the body of Christ, particularly those who are less fortunate. True worship flows from a heart transformed by the gospel, expressing itself in both vertical devotion to God and horizontal love for our fellow believers, ensuring that our "coming together" truly reflects the unifying power of the cross.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my personal attitude and behavior during corporate worship reflect a true "discerning of the Lord's body," both Christ's sacrifice and His church?**
* **In what ways might modern church gatherings, including communion, unintentionally perpetuate social or economic divisions, similar to the Corinthian church?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my participation in the Lord's Supper is marked by genuine self-examination, humility, and love for my brothers and sisters in Christ?**

### FAQ

**What was the "Lord's Supper" in the early church, and how did the Corinthians misuse it?**

Answer:In the early church, the Lord's Supper was a sacred meal instituted by Jesus Himself, typically observed within the context of a larger communal "love feast" or "agape feast." It served as a remembrance of Christ's atoning death and a symbol of the unity of believers in Him. The Corinthians misused it by treating it as an ordinary meal for personal gratification rather than a sacred communal act. Wealthier members would eat their fill, even getting drunk, without waiting for or sharing with the poorer members, who often went hungry. This selfish and divisive behavior created stark social stratification within the church, completely undermining the spiritual significance and unifying purpose of the Lord's Supper, leading Paul to declare that their gathering was "not to eat the Lord's supper" in its true sense.

**Why did Paul say "this is not to eat the Lord's supper" if they were, in fact, eating?**

Answer:Paul's statement in [1 Corinthians 11:20](/1_corinthians/11-20 "1 Corinthians 11:20 - The Lord's Supper") is a strong rhetorical condemnation, not a literal denial that they were consuming food. He meant that their manner of eating was so contrary to the spirit, purpose, and sacredness of the Lord's Supper that it ceased to be a true observance of it. The Lord's Supper is meant to be a reverent remembrance of Christ's sacrifice and a demonstration of the unity of His body. When the Corinthians turned it into an occasion for gluttony, social division, and disregard for one another, they stripped it of its spiritual meaning. Their actions desecrated the holy institution, making it a mockery rather than a meaningful act of worship.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Corinthians 11:20](/1_corinthians/11-20 "1 Corinthians 11:20 - The Lord's Supper") ultimately points to Christ by highlighting the profound disconnect between the Corinthians' behavior and the very essence of His sacrifice. The Lord's Supper, as instituted by Jesus, is a covenant meal that proclaims His body broken and blood shed for the [new covenant](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in My Blood"). The Corinthian's failure to "eat the Lord's supper" in a worthy manner stemmed from their failure to grasp the depth of Christ's self-giving love, which calls for unity and selflessness among His followers. Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), gave Himself entirely, breaking down all barriers of social status and ethnicity, to create [one new humanity in Himself](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace"). Therefore, any observance of His Supper that perpetuates division or self-indulgence fundamentally betrays His unifying and atoning work on the cross. The true fulfillment of the Lord's Supper lies in remembering Christ's sacrifice with reverence, proclaiming His death [until He comes](/1_corinthians/11-26 "1 Corinthians 11:26 - Proclaiming the Lord's Death"), and living out the radical love and unity that His body and blood represent, reflecting the very character of the One who is [our peace](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.