1 Corinthians 11:30

KJV

For this cause many [are] weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

KJV (with Strong's)

For {G1223} this {G5124} cause {G1223} many {G4183} are weak {G772} and {G2532} sickly {G732} among {G1722} you {G5213}, and {G2532} many {G2425} sleep {G2837}.

Complete Jewish Bible

This is why many among you are weak and sick, and some have died!

Berean Standard Bible

That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

American Standard Version

For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
The Apostle Paul delivers a sobering warning to the Corinthian church, revealing that their irreverent and divisive participation in the Lord's Supper has led to severe divine discipline. This discipline manifests in tangible physical consequences: many among them are experiencing weakness and illness, and a significant number have even died, underscoring the profound seriousness of dishonoring Christ's body and blood, and the unity of His church, through their unworthy conduct.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the climactic consequence in Paul's extended rebuke of the Corinthian church's abuses of the Lord's Supper, detailed from [1 Corinthians 11:17](/1-corinthians/11-17 "1 Corinthians 11:17 - Paul's Rebuke of Corinthian Divisions"). Paul first highlights their divisions during the communal meal, where the wealthy would feast while the poor went hungry, thereby shaming those who had nothing and despising the church of God ([1 Corinthians 11:21-22](/1-corinthians/11-21-22 "1 Corinthians 11:21-22 - Divisions at the Lord's Supper")). He then recounts the institution of the Lord's Supper by Jesus Himself, emphasizing its sacred nature as a proclamation of the Lord's death until He comes ([1 Corinthians 11:23-26](/1-corinthians/11-23-26 "1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - Institution of the Lord's Supper")). The preceding verses directly warn against partaking unworthily, which is described as being "guilty of the body and blood of the Lord" ([1 Corinthians 11:27](/1-corinthians/11-27 "1 Corinthians 11:27 - Unworthy Partaking")) and bringing "judgment to himself" by "not discerning the Lord's body" ([1 Corinthians 11:29](/1-corinthians/11-29 "1 Corinthians 11:29 - Discerning the Lord's Body")). Verse 30 then reveals the specific, dire manifestations of this judgment.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Corinthian church met in homes, and their communal meals, often referred to as "agape feasts" or "love feasts," typically preceded or incorporated the Lord's Supper. In Greco-Roman society, banquets often reflected social hierarchies, with patrons and wealthier individuals receiving preferential treatment. This cultural practice seems to have infiltrated the Corinthian church. The wealthy believers would arrive early, bring ample food, and consume it, sometimes to excess, while the poorer members, who often worked longer hours, arrived later with little or no food, only to find nothing left. This created a stark division and humiliation within the body of Christ, directly contradicting the spirit of unity and selfless love inherent in the Lord's Supper. Paul's rebuke addresses not merely a ritualistic error but a profound failure to embody the inclusive, self-sacrificial love that the meal symbolized, especially in a city known for its diverse social strata and moral laxity.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Discipline**, demonstrating God's active involvement in the lives of His covenant people. It underscores that God's holiness demands reverence, and He will not tolerate the profaning of His sacred ordinances, even among His own children. This discipline, though severe, is presented as corrective, intended to lead believers to repentance and a deeper understanding of the sanctity of the Lord's Supper and the unity of the church, rather than a punitive act leading to ultimate condemnation ([1 Corinthians 11:32](/1-corinthians/11-32 "1 Corinthians 11:32 - God's Corrective Discipline")). Furthermore, the passage highlights the profound **Interconnectedness of Spiritual and Physical Well-being**. Paul reveals that spiritual disarray and unrepentant sin can manifest in tangible physical consequences, showing that God's judgment can extend to the physical realm as a means of correction. Finally, the verse emphasizes the **Seriousness of Sin**, particularly sin against the body of Christ and its sacred symbols. The fact that "many sleep" (have died) underscores the extreme gravity of their irreverence, demonstrating that dishonoring Christ's sacrifice and the unity of His body is not a minor transgression but an offense with potentially fatal consequences.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **weak (Greek, _asthenḗs'_):** From G772, this term signifies "strengthless" or "impotent." In this context, it refers to a state of physical feebleness, infirmity, or lack of vitality experienced by many in the Corinthian church. It suggests a general state of ill-health and diminished capacity, a direct consequence of their spiritual negligence and irreverence.
* **sickly (Greek, _árrhōstos'_):** From G732, this word means "infirm" or "sick." It is a more specific term for illness or disease, indicating a more pronounced state of sickness than mere weakness. Paul uses it to describe those who are actively suffering from physical ailments, implying a divine visitation of sickness upon them.
* **sleep (Greek, _koimáō'_):):** From G2837, this verb means "to put to sleep" or "to slumber," and figuratively, "to decease." In biblical usage, particularly for believers, "sleep" is a common euphemism for death. Here, it signifies a divinely imposed death, not a peaceful passing in old age, but a judgment resulting from their unrepentant sin and desecration of the Lord's Supper. This highlights the ultimate and most severe consequence of their actions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For this cause":** This phrase, translated from the Greek `diá toûto` (G1223, G5124), functions as a direct causal link. It unequivocally connects the preceding discussion of unworthy participation in the Lord's Supper and the failure to discern the Lord's body (verses 27-29) to the physical consequences described in verse 30. Paul is asserting a direct, divinely ordained cause-and-effect relationship.
* **"many are weak and sickly among you":** This clause describes the tangible, physical manifestations of God's judgment within the Corinthian community. The terms "weak" (`asthenḗs`) and "sickly" (`árrhōstos`) indicate widespread physical infirmities, illnesses, and a general state of ill-health. The phrase "among you" (`en hymîn` - G1722, G5213) emphasizes that these afflictions are not random but specifically observed within their fellowship, affecting a significant portion of the congregation (`polýs` - G4183, "many").
* **"and many sleep":** This final clause reveals the most severe consequence: death. The word "sleep" (`koimáō` - G2837) is a euphemism for death, particularly for believers, suggesting a state of rest before resurrection. However, in this context, it signifies a divinely inflicted death as a judgment for their profound irreverence. The repetition of "many" (`hikanós` - G2425, "many" or "sufficient") underscores the widespread and serious nature of this ultimate discipline, indicating that a considerable number had died as a direct result of their sin.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several literary devices to convey the gravity of his message. The primary device is **Cause and Effect**, where the unworthiness of the Corinthians' participation in the Lord's Supper (the cause) directly leads to physical weakness, sickness, and death (the effect). This direct linkage underscores the severity of their sin and God's active judgment. Furthermore, Paul uses **Euphemism** with the phrase "many sleep" to refer to death. While "sleep" is a common biblical metaphor for the death of believers, here it takes on a more ominous tone, signifying a divinely imposed death as a consequence of sin, rather than a peaceful natural end. The repetition of "many" (G4183, G2425) also serves as a form of **Emphasis**, highlighting the widespread nature of these physical judgments within the community, reinforcing the idea that this was not an isolated incident but a pervasive problem affecting a significant portion of the church. The stark, declarative nature of the statement itself, devoid of softening language, adds to its powerful and sobering impact.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly speaks to the doctrine of divine discipline, affirming that God, in His holiness and love, actively intervenes in the lives of His children to correct unrepentant sin, especially when it involves the desecration of His sacred ordinances and the unity of His body. It reveals that God's judgment is not always delayed until the eschaton but can manifest in temporal consequences, including physical suffering and even death, as a means of bringing His people to repentance and a deeper reverence for Him. This discipline, though severe, is ultimately redemptive, aimed at preventing a greater condemnation with the world. It highlights the corporate responsibility of the church, where the sin of some can affect the well-being of the whole body, and underscores the profound sanctity of the Lord's Supper as a participation in Christ's body and blood, demanding careful self-examination and a spirit of unity.

* [Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5-11 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - The Purpose of God's Discipline"): This passage explicitly states that the Lord disciplines those He loves, and that this discipline, though painful, is for our good, "that we may share in his holiness."
* [James 5:14-16](/james/5-14-16 "James 5:14-16 - Prayer for the Sick and Confession of Sins"): While not directly about communion, this passage links sickness to sin and calls for confession and prayer, acknowledging a connection between spiritual state and physical health, and the possibility of healing upon repentance.
* [1 John 5:16](/1-john/5-16 "1 John 5:16 - Sin Leading to Death"): This verse speaks of a "sin that leads to death," echoing the concept that certain unrepentant sins can result in physical death, aligning with Paul's warning in 1 Corinthians 11:30.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Corinthians 11:30 serves as a powerful and enduring call to profound self-examination, not only before partaking in the Lord's Supper but in all aspects of our spiritual walk. It compels us to approach God's holy things with the utmost reverence, sincerity, and humility, recognizing that our actions, even within the sacred space of worship, have spiritual weight and can invoke divine response. This passage challenges the modern tendency to trivialize communion or view it merely as a ritual. Instead, it underscores its profound significance as a participation in Christ's sacrifice and a visible expression of the unity of His body, the church. We are reminded that genuine spiritual health often correlates with our physical well-being, and while not every illness or death is a direct consequence of specific sin, this text highlights that God's discipline can indeed manifest physically, always with the ultimate goal of bringing us to repentance, restoration, and a deeper, more authentic relationship with Him. We are called to live lives of integrity, confessing our sins, forgiving one another, and striving for unity, ensuring that our participation in the Lord's Supper truly reflects our discernment of Christ's body, both broken for us and embodied in His church.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does my approach to the Lord's Supper reflect my understanding of its sacredness and my discernment of Christ's body, both in the elements and in fellow believers?**
* **In what ways might unconfessed sin or disunity within my community hinder spiritual vitality or even impact physical well-being?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper sense of reverence and self-examination in all my spiritual practices, not just communion?**
* **What does this passage teach me about God's character, specifically His holiness, His love, and His methods of discipline?**

### FAQ
**Does this mean all sickness or death is a result of specific sin?**

Answer: No, this passage does not teach that all sickness or death is a direct result of specific sin. The Bible presents various reasons for suffering, including living in a fallen world ([Romans 8:22](/romans/8-22 "Romans 8:22 - Groaning of Creation")), the natural aging process, or for God's glory ([John 9:1-3](/john/9-1-3 "John 9:1-3 - Healing the Man Born Blind")). However, 1 Corinthians 11:30 specifically highlights a unique situation in Corinth where widespread physical ailments and deaths were indeed a direct, divinely ordained consequence of their corporate and individual irreverence, division, and unworthiness in partaking of the Lord's Supper. It serves as a stern warning against profaning sacred things, rather than a universal explanation for all suffering.

**How does "discerning the Lord's body" relate to these consequences?**

Answer: "Discerning the Lord's body" ([1 Corinthians 11:29](/1-corinthians/11-29 "1 Corinthians 11:29 - Discerning the Lord's Body")) has a dual meaning critical to understanding the consequences. Firstly, it refers to recognizing the sacred significance of the bread and wine as representing Christ's crucified body and shed blood. The Corinthians were treating it as a common meal. Secondly, and perhaps more significantly in this context, it refers to discerning the body of Christ as the church itself. Their divisions, gluttony, and neglect of the poor during the communal meal demonstrated a failure to recognize the unity and sanctity of the body of believers. This disrespect for both the literal elements and the spiritual body of Christ led to the divine discipline described in [1 Corinthians 11:30](/1-corinthians/11-30 "1 Corinthians 11:30 - Consequences of Unworthy Partaking").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Corinthians 11:30 details the severe consequences of dishonoring Christ's body, it paradoxically points us back to the very essence of Christ's redemptive work. The weakness, sickness, and death experienced by the Corinthians highlight the gravity of sin, which Christ perfectly bore on the cross, becoming weak for us so that we might be made strong in Him ([2 Corinthians 13:4](/2-corinthians/13-4 "2 Corinthians 13:4 - Christ's Weakness and Power")). The discipline, though painful, is a manifestation of God's fatherly love, designed to bring His children to repentance and conformity to the image of His Son ([Romans 8:29](/romans/8-29 "Romans 8:29 - Conformed to the Image of Christ")). Christ, as the ultimate healer, not only bore our spiritual infirmities but also our physical ones, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - Christ's Suffering for Our Sickness and Sin"), and demonstrated throughout His earthly ministry ([Matthew 8:16-17](/matthew/8-16-17 "Matthew 8:16-17 - Jesus Heals Many")). The "sleep" of death among the Corinthians, while a judgment, also finds its ultimate answer in Christ, who conquered death and is the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" ([1 Corinthians 15:20](/1-corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits of Resurrection")), promising resurrection and eternal life to all who believe in Him ([John 11:25-26](/john/11-25-26 "John 11:25-26 - Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life")). Thus, even in the midst of severe discipline, the passage ultimately magnifies Christ as the one who provides the antidote to sin, the source of true healing, and the hope of eternal life, calling us to approach His table with the reverence and unity that His sacrifice demands.

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

Revelation 3:19

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Amos 3:2

You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.

Psalms 38:1

¶ A Psalm of David, to bring to remembrance. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

Psalms 38:8

I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

Numbers 20:12

And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

Exodus 15:26

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.

Numbers 21:6

And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.