re: 1 Corinthians 11:17-34
Summary:
Paul begins to describe some problems that the Corinthian church is facing when they gather together. First, there are division among the body concerning the Lord's Supper. Apparently, they have forgotten and/or disregarded the significance of it and have instead used the elements in selfishness. In so doing, they have made a mockery of the Lord's Table and the church of God.
Paul reminds them of what he received from the Lord, namely the historical event and significance of the Lord's Supper. He ends with an explanation in verse 26, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." In other words, when the church gathers together to partake of the Lord's Table, they do so to proclaim His death. To proclaim Christ's death is not just remembering that He died, but it is remember the purpose of his death, who he is, his triumph over death, his uniting of the Church, and what he has promised to come. The Corinthians have turned this beautiful picture of the gospel into a feast characterized by greed and selfishness - making a mockery of Christ and his church.
Paul calls them to examine themselves when they come to the Table, for any who partakes of the Table in an any manner contrary to its purpose will be guilty. Indeed, this is the reason for some of their illnesses and deaths - judgment for partaking in an unworthy manner. This is why Paul calls them to examine themselves, that by judging themselves rightly, and partaking of the Table purely, they may not be judged fiercely. Yet even this judgment is a merciful form of discipline, so that his church may not be condemned along with the rest of the world (11:32).
Since a part of the significance of the Table is partaking together as a church in love, Paul calls them to "wait for one another" (11:33), and to make the necessary precautions to eat it together in a pure and unselfish manner. Only in this way can they avoid judgment and honor and glorify Christ as his church in his table.
Thoughts:
Paul's zeal for Christ prevents him from ignoring problems in Corinth. While faced with an opportunity to either alert and rebuke them of their error or turn his eyes from the situation, he boldly tackles it head on.
Paul's order for addressing this situation is (1) addressing the problem, (2) reminding them of historical fact, reality, and the glory of Christ in them, (3) and warning and instruction in continuing to flippantly treat the Lord's Table.
Application:
The church is called to make the necessary preparations to partake of the Lord's Supper before it takes place. To not do so is flippancy against such a meaningful event. Yet how many in our churches in modern day, middle class America understand the significance of such an event? With our cozy lifestyles and unceasing search for ease of living, do we strive in thinking through and understanding and joyfully submitting to the call of such a weighty event?
How many (myself included) balk at the self-preparation of the Lord's Supper? Are we at odds with one another? Have we sought making amends? Do we come refreshed with the significance of the Lord's Table, the gospel of Christ? Are we ready and willing (and joyful) in proclaiming our union with Christ (both in his life and death? Triumph and suffering?)? Are we ready and willing and joyful in proclaiming our union with one another (both in those whom we easily get along with and those whom it is difficult for us to get along? In conflict and resolution? In repentance and forgiveness? In humility and love?)
Are our eyes opened or oblivious to the Lord's discipline in our lives when we make light of the significance of his Table? Are we called or calloused to the community of the church? Are we ruthless or rusty in the proclamation of the gospel to ourselves? Do we stive to proclaim our Lord's death, and with that, the joyful anticipation of his second coming? Do we know enough of ourselves and the glories of Christ to be joyfully anxious about his second coming?
Instead, may the zeal of Christ be upon my mind at all times in all situations, so that, I, like Paul, will not shrink from addressing grotesque distortions of Christ (in my own life or the lives of others), but instead address it with the truth of the gospel and the glory of Christ therein. Lord, give me mercy and grace to do so without hinderance.
Paul begins to describe some problems that the Corinthian church is facing when they gather together. First, there are division among the body concerning the Lord's Supper. Apparently, they have forgotten and/or disregarded the significance of it and have instead used the elements in selfishness. In so doing, they have made a mockery of the Lord's Table and the church of God.
Paul reminds them of what he received from the Lord, namely the historical event and significance of the Lord's Supper. He ends with an explanation in verse 26, "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." In other words, when the church gathers together to partake of the Lord's Table, they do so to proclaim His death. To proclaim Christ's death is not just remembering that He died, but it is remember the purpose of his death, who he is, his triumph over death, his uniting of the Church, and what he has promised to come. The Corinthians have turned this beautiful picture of the gospel into a feast characterized by greed and selfishness - making a mockery of Christ and his church.
Paul calls them to examine themselves when they come to the Table, for any who partakes of the Table in an any manner contrary to its purpose will be guilty. Indeed, this is the reason for some of their illnesses and deaths - judgment for partaking in an unworthy manner. This is why Paul calls them to examine themselves, that by judging themselves rightly, and partaking of the Table purely, they may not be judged fiercely. Yet even this judgment is a merciful form of discipline, so that his church may not be condemned along with the rest of the world (11:32).
Since a part of the significance of the Table is partaking together as a church in love, Paul calls them to "wait for one another" (11:33), and to make the necessary precautions to eat it together in a pure and unselfish manner. Only in this way can they avoid judgment and honor and glorify Christ as his church in his table.
Thoughts:
Paul's zeal for Christ prevents him from ignoring problems in Corinth. While faced with an opportunity to either alert and rebuke them of their error or turn his eyes from the situation, he boldly tackles it head on.
Paul's order for addressing this situation is (1) addressing the problem, (2) reminding them of historical fact, reality, and the glory of Christ in them, (3) and warning and instruction in continuing to flippantly treat the Lord's Table.
Application:
The church is called to make the necessary preparations to partake of the Lord's Supper before it takes place. To not do so is flippancy against such a meaningful event. Yet how many in our churches in modern day, middle class America understand the significance of such an event? With our cozy lifestyles and unceasing search for ease of living, do we strive in thinking through and understanding and joyfully submitting to the call of such a weighty event?
How many (myself included) balk at the self-preparation of the Lord's Supper? Are we at odds with one another? Have we sought making amends? Do we come refreshed with the significance of the Lord's Table, the gospel of Christ? Are we ready and willing (and joyful) in proclaiming our union with Christ (both in his life and death? Triumph and suffering?)? Are we ready and willing and joyful in proclaiming our union with one another (both in those whom we easily get along with and those whom it is difficult for us to get along? In conflict and resolution? In repentance and forgiveness? In humility and love?)
Are our eyes opened or oblivious to the Lord's discipline in our lives when we make light of the significance of his Table? Are we called or calloused to the community of the church? Are we ruthless or rusty in the proclamation of the gospel to ourselves? Do we stive to proclaim our Lord's death, and with that, the joyful anticipation of his second coming? Do we know enough of ourselves and the glories of Christ to be joyfully anxious about his second coming?
Instead, may the zeal of Christ be upon my mind at all times in all situations, so that, I, like Paul, will not shrink from addressing grotesque distortions of Christ (in my own life or the lives of others), but instead address it with the truth of the gospel and the glory of Christ therein. Lord, give me mercy and grace to do so without hinderance.
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