1 Corinthians 11:17 – “In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good.”

Extended Explanation

In this verse, Paul begins a new section of his letter where he addresses problems in the Corinthian church regarding their gatherings. Up to this point, Paul has been discussing gender roles and head coverings in worship, but now he shifts his focus to another major issue: the way the Corinthians were observing the Lord’s Supper.

Paul’s words are strong: “I have no praise for you.” This is significant because earlier in the chapter (1 Corinthians 11:2), he had praised them for holding to the traditions he passed down. But here, he makes it clear that their behavior during church gatherings is unacceptable.

His accusation that their “meetings do more harm than good” is serious. Church gatherings are meant to build up believers, encourage worship, and strengthen the body of Christ. However, something was so wrong in Corinth that their gatherings were actually damaging the church rather than helping it.

Paul’s rebuke sets the stage for the next few verses, where he explains how their selfish and divisive behavior at the Lord’s Supper is dishonoring God and harming their Christian witness.

Historical Context

The early church often gathered in homes for worship and fellowship, which included sharing meals together. One of the most important parts of their gatherings was the Lord’s Supper (Communion), which Jesus had instituted at the Last Supper (Luke 22:19-20).

However, in Corinth, these meals had become a source of division instead of unity. The wealthy believers would bring plenty of food and eat together, while poorer members were left with little or nothing. Instead of reflecting the love and humility of Christ, their gatherings were marked by selfishness, favoritism, and even drunkenness (1 Corinthians 11:20-22).

Paul saw this as a serious offense. The Lord’s Supper was meant to be a sacred time of remembering Jesus’ sacrifice, but the Corinthians had turned it into a display of social inequality.

Theological Implications

1. Worship Should Honor God, Not Cause Harm – Church gatherings should build up believers and glorify God. When they become self-centered, they lose their purpose.
2. Unity in the Body of Christ Is Essential – Division within the church is a serious problem. If the Lord’s Supper is taken without love and unity, it becomes meaningless.
3. Spiritual Maturity Requires Self-Examination – Paul’s rebuke challenges believers to examine their behavior in worship. Are they truly honoring Christ, or are they acting in ways that contradict the gospel?
4. Christian Fellowship Should Reflect Christ’s Love – The church is a family where all believers should care for one another, regardless of social or economic status.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s language in this verse is direct and firm. He does not soften his rebuke because the issue is too serious.

• “I have no praise for you” – This is a contrast to 1 Corinthians 11:2, where he praised them for following traditions. Here, he makes it clear that their behavior in worship is unacceptable.
• “Your meetings do more harm than good” – This shocking statement highlights how far they had strayed from the purpose of gathering as a church. Instead of strengthening their faith, their meetings were causing spiritual damage.

This verse sets the stage for the next section, where Paul explains the right way to observe the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:23-34).

Biblical Cross-References

• Luke 22:19-20 – “And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.’” (Jesus established the Lord’s Supper as a time of remembrance.)
• 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 – “Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.” (Communion is meant to unite believers.)
• James 2:1-4 – “My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.” (Paul’s rebuke in 1 Corinthians 11 aligns with James’ warning against discrimination in the church.)
• Acts 2:42-46 – “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” (A picture of how early Christian gatherings were supposed to look.)
• Philippians 2:3-4 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Christian gatherings should be marked by humility and love.)

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse challenges modern believers to examine their attitudes toward worship and Christian fellowship.

1. Church Should Be About Christ, Not Ourselves – Are our gatherings truly about worshiping God, or are they focused on personal preferences and divisions?
2. We Must Guard Against Hypocrisy in Worship – Just as the Corinthians turned Communion into a selfish event, Christians today must be careful not to dishonor God by taking part in worship without true reverence.
3. Unity and Love Should Define Christian Community – A church that allows division, favoritism, or selfishness is not reflecting Christ. Christians should seek to care for one another, especially those in need.
4. Spiritual Practices Should Not Become Empty Rituals – Communion, prayer, and worship should always be approached with sincerity and a heart that honors God.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is seen in His desire for His people to worship in unity and truth. When Paul rebukes the Corinthians, it is not because God is harsh, but because He loves His church too much to let it be corrupted by selfishness and division.

God’s love is also reflected in the purpose of the Lord’s Supper itself. It is a time to remember Christ’s sacrifice, which was the ultimate act of love. When believers approach it with the right heart, they experience the depth of God’s grace and unity in Christ.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

• Jesus Established the Lord’s Supper as a Sacred Act – When Jesus gave His disciples the bread and the cup, He intended it to be a time of remembrance and unity, not division (Luke 22:19-20).
• Christ Modeled Humility and Selflessness – Unlike the Corinthians, who were acting selfishly, Jesus lived a life of humility, putting others first (Philippians 2:5-8).
• Jesus Prayed for Unity in the Church – In John 17:20-23, Jesus prayed that His followers would be one, just as He and the Father are one. This shows that unity in worship is central to God’s plan.

Paul’s rebuke in this verse reminds believers that Christ-centered worship should reflect Christ Himself—marked by humility, love, and reverence.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. Why does Paul say that the Corinthian church meetings were doing more harm than good?
2. How can modern churches ensure that their worship gatherings truly honor God?
3. What are some ways believers today might unintentionally dishonor the Lord’s Supper?
4. How does division or favoritism affect Christian fellowship?
5. How can we reflect Christ’s humility and selflessness in our worship and interactions with other believers?

This verse serves as a warning not to take worship lightly and as a call to honor God in how we gather as believers. The church should be a place of unity, love, and devotion to Christ—not a place where division and selfishness take center stage.