1 Corinthians 11:24

And when he had given thanks, he brake [it], and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

And {G2532} when he had given thanks {G2168}, he brake {G2806} it, and {G2532} said {G2036}, Take {G2983}, eat {G5315}: this {G5124} is {G2076} my {G3450} body {G4983}, which {G3588} is broken {G2806} for {G5228} you {G5216}: this {G5124} do {G4160} in {G1519} remembrance {G364} of me {G1699}.

and after he had made the b’rakhah he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this as a memorial to me”;

and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “This is My body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”

and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me.

1 Corinthians 11:24 is a foundational verse within Paul's instructions to the Corinthian church regarding the proper observance of the Lord's Supper, often called Communion or the Eucharist. It directly quotes the words of Jesus Himself at the Last Supper, providing insight into the meaning and purpose of this central Christian ordinance.

Context

In 1 Corinthians 11, the Apostle Paul addresses significant issues within the Corinthian community, particularly their disorderly and divisive conduct during their fellowship meals, which included the Lord's Supper. He recounts the institution of this sacred meal not merely as a historical anecdote, but as a divine pattern passed down from the Lord Himself (verse 23). This passage serves as a corrective, reminding the believers of the profound significance and solemnity of participating in the Supper, contrasting their selfish behavior with Christ's selfless act.

Key Themes

  • Sacrifice and Atonement: The phrase "my body, which is broken for you" powerfully emphasizes the sacrificial nature of Jesus' death on the cross. It signifies His physical suffering and the giving of His life as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of humanity. This act fulfills the prophecies of the suffering servant, providing redemption and reconciliation with God. This concept is central to the Christian understanding of God's love and justice.
  • Remembrance and Memorial: The command "this do in remembrance of me" highlights the primary purpose of the Lord's Supper as a perpetual memorial. It is not merely a ritual, but a spiritual exercise intended to vividly recall the person, work, and ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This act of remembering serves to refresh faith, deepen gratitude, and reaffirm commitment to Him. It encourages believers to never forget the cost of their salvation.
  • Foundation of the New Covenant: While 1 Corinthians 11:25 explicitly mentions the "new testament in my blood," verse 24 lays the groundwork for this understanding. The breaking of Christ's body is intrinsically linked to the shedding of His blood, both signifying the inauguration of the new covenant, a new relationship between God and humanity based on grace and forgiveness, rather than law. This echoes the prophetic promises of a new covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "when he had given thanks" comes from the Greek word eucharisteō (εὐχαριστέω), which means "to give thanks." This is the origin of the term "Eucharist," often used to refer to the Lord's Supper, underscoring the attitude of gratitude that should accompany this sacred meal. The word "broken" (Greek klōmenos, used here in the passive participle) starkly portrays the physical suffering Jesus endured on the cross, a central aspect of His atoning work.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Corinthians 11:24 serves as a profound reminder of the core of the Christian faith: the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. When participating in the Lord's Supper, it calls for a moment of solemn introspection and genuine gratitude. It encourages believers to:

  • Examine Themselves: To ensure they partake with a right attitude, respecting the sanctity of the meal and the unity of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:28).
  • Remember Christ's Sacrifice: To consciously recall the immense love and suffering of Jesus, allowing it to deepen their faith and strengthen their commitment.
  • Affirm Christian Unity: To recognize that as they share in the "one bread," they are part of one body in Christ (1 Corinthians 10:17), fostering fellowship and overcoming division.

This verse ensures that the Lord's Supper remains a meaningful and transformative experience, centered on Christ's redemptive work.

Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5, 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.

  • John 6:53

    Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

  • John 6:58

    This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:27

    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.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:28

    But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of [that] bread, and drink of [that] cup.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:3

    And did all eat the same spiritual meat;

  • 1 Corinthians 10:4

    And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

  • Isaiah 26:8

    Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of [our] soul [is] to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.
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