1 Corinthians 11:26

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.

For {G1063} as often as {G302}{G3740} ye eat {G2068} this {G5126} bread {G740}, and {G2532} drink {G4095} this {G5124} cup {G4221}, ye do shew {G2605} the Lord's {G2962} death {G2288} till {G891}{G302} he {G3739} come {G2064}.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord, until he comes.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord’s death till he come.

Commentary

Context of 1 Corinthians 11:26

First Corinthians Chapter 11 addresses various issues within the early Christian community in Corinth, particularly focusing on order and conduct during worship. Verses 23-25 detail Paul's recounting of the institution of the Lord's Supper, directly preceding this verse. The Corinthian church had been misusing and disrespecting this sacred meal, treating it more like a common feast where divisions and selfishness were evident. Paul's instruction here serves to correct their behavior by reminding them of the true meaning and purpose of the Eucharist, emphasizing its solemnity and prophetic significance.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Remembrance and Proclamation of Christ's Sacrifice: The core action of "eating this bread, and drinking this cup" is not merely a symbolic ritual but a profound act of remembering and proclaiming the death of Jesus Christ. It is a public declaration of faith in His atoning sacrifice on the cross. The bread symbolizes His body, broken for us, and the cup represents His blood, shed for the new covenant.
  • Anticipation of Christ's Second Coming: The phrase "till he come" introduces an essential eschatological dimension to the Lord's Supper. It transforms the meal from a mere historical remembrance into a forward-looking act of hope and anticipation. Believers look back at Christ's first coming and His redemptive work, and simultaneously look forward to His glorious return, when He will establish His eternal kingdom. This gives the Christian practice a continuous, unfolding significance.
  • Continuity of Christian Practice: The phrase "as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup" implies that the Lord's Supper is a recurring, ongoing ordinance for believers. It is not a one-time event but a regular communal act that sustains and strengthens the church's faith and unity.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version uses the word "shew," which comes from the Greek verb katangello (καταγγέλλω). This word means "to proclaim," "to announce," or "to declare publicly and clearly." It suggests more than just a private remembrance; it implies an active, outward declaration. When believers partake in the Lord's Supper, they are not just passively recalling an event, but actively proclaiming the central truth of the Gospel: Christ's death for sin. This proclamation is made both to God and to the world, testifying to His finished work and anticipated return.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Corinthians 11:26 offers profound guidance on how to approach the Lord's Supper:

  • Purposeful Participation: It calls for intentionality. When we partake of the bread and the cup, we should consciously remember Christ's immense sacrifice and His suffering on our behalf. It's a moment for deep gratitude and reflection on the love demonstrated on the cross (Romans 5:8).
  • Living in Expectation: The "till he come" reminds us to live with an awareness of Christ's future return. This hope should motivate us to live holy lives, serve others, and share the good news of the Gospel, knowing that our Lord is coming back (Acts 1:11).
  • United Proclamation: The communal nature of the Supper means that as a body of believers, we collectively declare the power of Christ's death. It is a visible testimony to the world of our shared faith and the hope we have in Jesus. It fosters unity and reminds us of our identity in Christ.
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Cross-References

  • Hebrews 9:28 (12 votes)

    So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

  • Revelation 1:7 (12 votes)

    Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they [also] which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

  • John 14:3 (9 votes)

    And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also.

  • 1 John 2:28 (8 votes)

    ¶ And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.

  • Acts 1:11 (8 votes)

    Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.

  • 2 Peter 3:10 (7 votes)

    But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

  • John 21:22 (7 votes)

    Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what [is that] to thee? follow thou me.