1 Corinthians 11:23-34: The Lord's Supper

October 13, 2026 Blaize

Besides the cross, there's probably no other more recognizable symbol in Christianity than the Lord's Supper. Practically all denominations have some version of it, and they implement it using the elements of bread and wine. In these verses, Paul addresses the proper conduct during the Lord's Supper by recounting the institution of the Lord’s Supper as he received it from the Lord. The Lord's Supper is recounted in the Gospels of Matthew 26:26-29, Mark 14:22-25, and Luke 22:14-20.

Jesus uses the opportunity to inaugurate the New Covenant. Jesus invokes Jeremiah 31:31-34, representing a new relationship between God and people. Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection, rather than the Old Testament sacrifices, are the means of the New Covenant. Hebrews unpacks this further. Jesus is the once and for all sacrifice (Hebrews 9:23, 10:10). He becomes the great high priest (Hebrews 7:26-27) and fulfills the Old Covenant (Hebrews 8:5, 10:1). This theology is not trivial—it’s the very reason Christians do not have a temple, priest, or sacrifice animals daily.

Paul points out the sacredness of the Lord’s Supper. When believers partake of bread and wine, they remember the broken body and shed blood of Christ, therefore, believers should self-examine themselves before participating. Paul warns against taking communion unworthily, without recognizing its significance, which leads to judgment and has resulted in sickness and even death among some in the community. He instructs the Corinthians to wait for one another before beginning the meal to avoid divisions and inequalities, thus ensuring that the observance remains a unifying and reverent experience reflective of Christ's sacrificial love. This passage emphasizes the communal aspect of the Lord’s Supper, the need for respectful and inclusive participation, and the serious implications of trivializing this solemn remembrance of Jesus' death until His return.

The practice of breaking bread as part of early Christian fellowship includes the Lord’s Supper. Acts 2:42, 46 shows the beginning of this tradition among the first believers as a part of their Agape Feasts and other gatherings. Additionally, Acts 20:7 denotes that the early Christians would gather on the first day of the week to “break bread,” suggesting a regular observance of the Lord’s Supper. These and other scriptures show how the Lord’s supper has had an enduring role in Christian worship and individual reflection that has continued throughout Christian history.

Taking the Lord's Supper in an "unworthy manner" is considered a grave offense in this text because of what the practice represents and the disrespect it shows to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as the mediator of the New Covenant. It is a time for believers to remember the sacrifice of Christ, reflect on their own lives, and affirm their unity with Him and with each other. Because of its solemnity, the Lord's Supper is not merely a ritual to be observed mechanically but a sacred moment requiring a heart aligned with its profound spiritual significance. Suffice it to say, the Lord's Supper is serious business, so Christians should honor it with the utmost respect!

Lord, let me examine myself when I remember your broken body and shed blood!