1 Corinthians 11:23

1 Corinthians 11:23 marks a pivotal point in Paul's letter, where he transitions from correcting the Corinthian church's abuses of the Lord's Supper to re-establishing its true origin and purpose. This verse lays the foundational authority for the Christian practice of Communion.

Context

In the preceding verses of 1 Corinthians 11, Paul addresses significant problems within the Corinthian community regarding their observance of the Lord's Supper. Instead of a sacred meal of unity and remembrance, it had devolved into a chaotic gathering marked by division, gluttony, and social stratification. Some members ate excessively while others went hungry, disgracing the very meaning of the meal (see 1 Corinthians 11:20-22). To correct these abuses, Paul does not appeal to human tradition or church rules, but to the direct, divine institution of the Supper by Jesus Christ Himself.

Key Themes

• Divine Revelation and Apostolic Authority: Paul emphasizes that his teaching on the Lord's Supper was not of human origin but directly received from the Lord Himself, underscoring its divine authority and authenticity. This personal revelation legitimizes his instruction and elevates the significance of the ordinance.
• The Institution of the Lord's Supper: This verse initiates Paul's account of the Last Supper, the night Jesus instituted what Christians now call Communion or the Eucharist. It highlights that this sacred meal was established by Jesus as a new covenant sign.
• The Night of Betrayal: The phrase "the same night in which he was betrayed" is profoundly significant. It underscores the stark contrast between human treachery and divine love. On the very night Judas Iscariot was handing Jesus over to His enemies, Jesus was establishing a memorial of His sacrifice for humanity's salvation. This historical detail, also chronicled in the Gospels (e.g., Luke 22:19), highlights the profound contrast between the depth of human treachery and the sublime act of divine love and institution.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "received of the Lord" (Greek: parelabon apo tou Kyriou) signifies a direct transmission of knowledge or tradition from a higher authority. Paul is not merely relaying what others taught him; he asserts a direct revelation from Christ. The word "betrayed" (Greek: paredideto) means "handed over" or "delivered up," carrying the heavy connotation of treachery and the fulfillment of prophetic suffering.

Significance & Application

This verse serves as the authoritative foundation for the Lord's Supper in Christian theology and practice. It reminds believers that Communion is not a mere ritual or social gathering, but a solemn remembrance of Christ's sacrifice, instituted by Him personally on the night of His betrayal. For believers today, 1 Corinthians 11:23 calls for:

• Reverence: Understanding the divine origin and solemn context encourages a respectful and serious approach to Communion.
• Remembrance: The act of taking bread and wine is fundamentally about remembering Jesus' body broken and blood shed for the forgiveness of sins.
• Unity: By grounding the Supper in its original institution, Paul implicitly calls the Corinthians (and us) back to the unity and self-sacrificial love that Christ exemplified, which was sorely lacking in their practice.

Ultimately, this verse anchors the celebration of Communion in the historical fact of Christ's sacrifice and the divine authority of His command, urging believers to participate in a manner worthy of its profound spiritual significance.