1 Corinthians 11:22

KJV

What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise [you] not.

KJV (with Strong's)

What {G1063}? have ye {G2192} not {G3378} houses {G3614} to eat {G2068} and {G2532} to drink {G4095} in {G1519}? or {G2228} despise ye {G2706} the church {G1577} of God {G2316}, and {G2532} shame {G2617} them that have {G2192} not {G3361}? What {G5101} shall I say {G2036} to you {G5213}? shall I praise {G1867} you {G5209} in {G1722} this {G5129}? I praise {G1867} you not {G3756}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or are you trying to show your contempt for God’s Messianic community and embarrass those who are poor? What am I supposed to say to you? Am I supposed to praise you? Well, for this I don’t praise you!

Berean Standard Bible

Don’t you have your own homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What can I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? No, I will not!

American Standard Version

What, have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you? In this I praise you not.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Corinthians 11:22, the Apostle Paul delivers a scathing rebuke to the Corinthian believers, challenging their self-serving and divisive practices during their communal meals, which preceded or were intertwined with the Lord's Supper. He confronts their failure to distinguish between a private meal and the sacred assembly of God's people, highlighting their contempt for the church and their shameful disregard for the poorer members of the community, unequivocally stating his disapproval of their conduct.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Paul's extensive instructions regarding order and conduct in corporate worship, specifically addressing abuses related to the Lord's Supper in [1 Corinthians 11](/1_corinthians/11 "1 Corinthians 11 - Order in Worship and the Lord's Supper"). Paul begins the chapter by commending the Corinthians for remembering his teachings (v. 2) but quickly transitions to correcting their divisions and improper behavior (v. 17). The immediate verses leading up to 1 Corinthians 11:22 describe the disorderly manner in which some members, particularly the wealthier ones, would eat their own meals selfishly, neglecting others and creating factions, thereby undermining the very purpose of the communal gathering and the sacred nature of the Lord's Supper itself. This verse serves as the culmination of Paul's exasperated questioning and sets the stage for his detailed exposition of the proper institution and meaning of the Lord's Supper in the subsequent verses, beginning with [1 Corinthians 11:23](/1_corinthians/11-23 "1 Corinthians 11:23 - The Institution of the Lord's Supper").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** First-century Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan port city, known for its wealth, diverse population, and prevailing pagan culture. Social stratification was deeply ingrained, with a clear distinction between the rich and the poor. In Greco-Roman society, communal meals often reflected these social hierarchies, with patrons and wealthier individuals receiving better portions or eating separately. The early Christian communal meals, often called "love feasts" (agape meals), were intended to foster unity and equality, culminating in the Lord's Supper. However, the Corinthian church, influenced by the surrounding culture, allowed these social divisions to infiltrate their sacred gatherings. Wealthier members, who owned larger homes and could afford more food, would arrive early, consume their provisions, and exclude the poorer members who might arrive later or have nothing to contribute. This behavior not only replicated the social injustices of the world within the church but also directly violated the spirit of Christian fellowship and the inclusive nature of the gospel.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within 1 Corinthians and the broader New Testament. It underscores the theme of **Christian Unity and Equality**, directly challenging the social stratification that was fracturing the Corinthian church. Paul's rebuke highlights that in Christ, traditional societal distinctions of wealth or status are to be transcended, as emphasized in passages like [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - Unity in Christ"). Secondly, it addresses the theme of **Reverence for the Church Assembly and Sacraments**. By "despising the church of God," the Corinthians demonstrated a profound lack of respect for the gathered body of believers, which is the visible manifestation of God's people. This points to the sacredness of Christian gatherings and the importance of approaching them with appropriate decorum and spiritual understanding. Finally, the verse introduces the theme of **Apostolic Authority and Correction**, as Paul, with strong rhetorical questions and an unequivocal declaration, asserts his right and responsibility to correct serious behavioral and theological errors within the churches he founded, guiding them toward practices that honor God and build up the body of Christ, as seen throughout [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians "The Book of 1 Corinthians").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **despise (Greek, _kataphronéō'_):** From G2706, meaning "to think against, i.e., disesteem." Paul's use of this strong verb indicates that the Corinthians' actions were not merely thoughtless but demonstrated an active contempt or disdain for the "church of God." Their behavior during the communal meal revealed a deep disrespect for the communal body of believers and, by extension, for God Himself, who had called this assembly into being.
* **church (Greek, _ekklēsía'_):** From G1577, meaning "a calling out, i.e., a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation." This term refers to the assembly of believers, the community of God's people, not merely a physical building. Paul's accusation that they "despise the church of God" means they were treating the very people chosen and called by God with contempt through their selfish and divisive actions. This underscores the gravity of their offense against the living body of Christ.
* **shame (Greek, _kataischýnō'_):** From G2617, meaning "to shame down, i.e., disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush." This word highlights the direct impact of the wealthier members' behavior on the poorer members. By eating their fill and leaving nothing for others, they publicly humiliated and disgraced those who "have not," creating a visible division and causing deep emotional and spiritual harm within the community.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in?"**: Paul opens with a sharp rhetorical question, expressing his astonishment and indignation. He implies that private homes are the appropriate places for personal meals and self-indulgence. By using the church gathering for such purposes, the Corinthians were blurring the line between common and sacred, demonstrating a fundamental misunderstanding of the assembly's purpose.
* **"or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not?"**: This is the core accusation. Paul presents a stark alternative: either they are ignorant, or they are actively despising the very community God has called together. Their actions of eating selfishly and neglecting the poor directly resulted in the public humiliation ("shame") of those who lacked resources, thereby showing contempt for the inclusive and unified nature of the "church of God."
* **"What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this?"**: Another rhetorical question, emphasizing Paul's utter disapproval. He is not seeking an answer but is using these questions to underscore the obviousness of their error and the impossibility of commending such behavior. It conveys his exasperation and the severity of their misconduct.
* **"I praise [you] not."**: Paul concludes with an unequivocal and emphatic declaration. This blunt statement leaves no room for misinterpretation. It is a direct and absolute condemnation of their practices, signaling that their behavior is utterly unacceptable and contrary to the principles of Christian fellowship and worship.

#### Literary Devices
Paul masterfully employs several literary devices to convey his strong rebuke. The most prominent is **Rhetorical Questioning**, used three times ("What? have ye not houses...", "shall I praise you in this?"). These questions are not posed to elicit information but to emphasize the obviousness of the Corinthians' transgression and the absurdity of their actions, highlighting Paul's indignation and disappointment. There is also a clear element of **Irony** in Paul's question, "shall I praise you in this?", as the very idea is preposterous given their shameful conduct. The phrase "despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not" uses **Parallelism** to link two distinct but related offenses: contempt for the divine institution and active harm to its most vulnerable members. Finally, Paul uses **Direct Address** ("to you") and a blunt, declarative **Apostolic Judgment** ("I praise you not") to deliver a powerful, authoritative, and unambiguous condemnation, leaving no doubt about his stance on their behavior.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly impacts our understanding of the nature of the church and Christian fellowship. It reveals that God's assembly is not merely a social club or a place for individual gratification, but a sacred community where equality, love, and mutual care must prevail. The Corinthians' actions were a direct affront to the very essence of the body of Christ, where all members, regardless of their social standing, are equally valued and interdependent. Their failure to share and their shaming of the poor demonstrated a fundamental misunderstanding of the gospel's call to sacrificial love and unity, which should visibly manifest in the way believers treat one another, especially during communal worship. The Lord's Supper, meant to be a symbol of unity and remembrance of Christ's inclusive sacrifice, was instead being perverted into a vehicle for social division and self-exaltation.

* [James 2:1-4](/james/2-1-4 "James 2:1-4 - Warning Against Partiality")
* [Romans 15:7](/romans/15-7 "Romans 15:7 - Welcome One Another")
* [Galatians 3:28](/galatians/3-28 "Galatians 3:28 - No Distinction in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 11:22 serves as a timeless mirror for the contemporary church, urging us to examine our own attitudes and practices within communal gatherings. It challenges us to consider whether our actions, even seemingly small ones, inadvertently create divisions, exclude others, or diminish the sacredness of our corporate worship. True Christian fellowship demands a radical selflessness that prioritizes the needs and dignity of every member, especially the vulnerable or marginalized. We are called to cultivate an atmosphere of genuine hospitality and inclusivity, ensuring that no one feels shamed, overlooked, or less valued within the body of Christ. This verse reminds us that our reverence for God is inextricably linked to how we treat His people, and that the integrity of our worship is compromised when love and unity are absent.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might social or economic distinctions subtly (or overtly) manifest within our church gatherings today?**
* **How can we actively work to ensure that all members, regardless of their background or resources, feel equally valued and included in our church community?**
* **Am I approaching communal worship and sacraments with the appropriate reverence and a heart focused on unity and the needs of others, or primarily on my own experience?**
* **What practical steps can I take to embody the principle of "esteeming others better than myself" ([Philippians 2:3](/philippians/2-3 "Philippians 2:3 - Humility and Selflessness")) within my local church?**

### FAQ
**What was the "church of God" that Paul refers to in 1 Corinthians 11:22, and why was despising it so serious?**

Answer: The "church of God" (Greek: _ekklēsía tou theou_) refers to the gathered assembly of believers in Corinth, the local manifestation of God's universal people. It was not a building, but the community of those called out by God to be His own. Despising this assembly was so serious because it represented a profound disrespect for God Himself, who had called them together. Their selfish actions during the communal meals, particularly by shaming the poor, demonstrated a contempt for the very nature and purpose of this divinely ordained community, which is meant to embody unity, love, and equality in Christ. It was an affront to God's character and His design for His people, undermining the witness of the gospel.

**How does Paul's rebuke in 1 Corinthians 11:22 relate to the Lord's Supper?**

Answer: Paul's rebuke in [1 Corinthians 11:22](/1_corinthians/11-22 "1 Corinthians 11:22 - Paul's Rebuke of Corinthian Abuses") is directly related to the Lord's Supper because the abuses he addresses occurred during the communal meals (likely "love feasts" or agape meals) that preceded or were integrated with the celebration of the Supper. The selfish and divisive behavior of the wealthier Corinthians, who ate their fill while shaming the poor, rendered their subsequent participation in the Lord's Supper meaningless and even condemnatory. Paul argues that such conduct demonstrated a failure to "discern the Lord's body" ([1 Corinthians 11:29](/1_corinthians/11-29 "1 Corinthians 11:29 - Discerning the Lord's Body")), referring both to Christ's broken body on the cross and the unity of the church, which is His body on earth. The integrity of the Lord's Supper was compromised by their lack of love and unity.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Paul's sharp rebuke in 1 Corinthians 11:22, though addressing specific abuses in Corinth, ultimately points to the radical inclusivity and self-sacrificial love embodied by Christ Himself. The Corinthians' failure to share and their shaming of the poor stood in stark contrast to Jesus' consistent identification with the marginalized and His command to love one another as He loved them ([John 13:34-35](/john/13-34-35 "John 13:34-35 - The New Commandment")). Christ, "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Example of Generosity")). The very Lord's Supper they were profaning was instituted by Jesus as a memorial of His body broken and blood shed for all, uniting Jew and Gentile, rich and poor, into one new humanity ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14-16 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Christ Our Peace")). Therefore, the call to honor the "church of God" and not shame those who "have not" is a call to live out the very character of Christ, who welcomed all, served all, and ultimately gave His life to reconcile all to God and to each other, making His body, the Church, a living testament to His unifying and redemptive work.

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.

Cross-References

Proverbs 17:5

¶ Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: [and] he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.

Acts 20:28

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

James 2:5

Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

James 2:6

But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

1 Corinthians 10:32

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:

1 Timothy 3:15

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1 Timothy 3:5

(For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?)