1 Corinthians 11:20 – “So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat,”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

In this verse, Paul is confronting the Corinthian church about their approach to the Lord’s Supper. The way they were observing this sacred meal was so distorted that Paul tells them it cannot even be called the “Lord’s Supper” anymore. Instead of a solemn time of unity and remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice, their gatherings had become selfish and divisive.

The Corinthians were treating the Lord’s Supper like an ordinary meal, with wealthier believers indulging in excess while the poorer members were left with little or nothing. This selfishness completely contradicted the purpose of the meal, which was meant to symbolize the unity of believers and their shared faith in Christ’s death and resurrection. Paul’s rebuke is strong: their actions were so far from God’s intention that they had lost the true meaning of the Lord’s Supper altogether.

This verse challenges believers to examine their hearts when they participate in the Lord’s Supper. It is not just a ritual or a tradition; it is a sacred act of worship that should reflect humility, gratitude, and love for one another.

Historical Context

The Lord’s Supper was established by Jesus on the night before His crucifixion (Luke 22:19-20). It was meant to be a time of remembrance, where believers reflected on His sacrifice and proclaimed His death until He returns.

However, in Corinth, the Lord’s Supper had become corrupted by the social divisions of the Roman world. Wealthy believers, who hosted the gatherings in their homes, had access to plenty of food and drink, while the poorer members, who often arrived later, found themselves excluded. This practice resembled the feasting culture of Roman society rather than the humility and unity Jesus had taught.

In Roman banquet culture, it was common for people of higher status to receive better food and treatment than those of lower status. The Corinthians were bringing this worldly mindset into the church, which completely went against Jesus’ command to love and serve one another. Paul rebukes them, making it clear that their selfishness had turned what was meant to be a sacred meal into something unrecognizable.

Theological Implications

1. The Lord’s Supper is sacred – It is not just another meal; it is a time to remember Christ’s sacrifice and renew commitment to Him.
2. Unity in Christ is essential – The church is one body, and the Lord’s Supper should reflect that unity, not division.
3. Selfishness has no place in worship – True worship requires humility, love, and consideration for others.
4. Rituals without meaning are empty – Participating in a religious practice without the right heart and attitude is meaningless in God’s eyes.

Paul’s warning reminds believers that when they approach the Lord’s Supper—or any act of worship—without sincerity and love for others, they miss the true meaning of what God intends.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s language here is blunt and corrective. By stating, “it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat,” he is emphasizing that their actions have completely invalidated the meal’s purpose.

The phrase “when you come together” is significant. It implies that the Lord’s Supper is meant to be a corporate act of worship, not just an individual experience. However, their gathering had become self-centered rather than Christ-centered.

Paul is also using irony. The Corinthians may have believed they were participating in the Lord’s Supper, but because of their selfishness and divisions, they were doing the opposite of what Jesus intended.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Luke 22:19-20 – Jesus institutes the Lord’s Supper, instructing His disciples to remember Him.
• Acts 2:42 – The early church devoted themselves to breaking bread and fellowship.
• 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 – The Lord’s Supper is meant to symbolize the unity of believers in Christ.
• Philippians 2:3-4 – Believers are called to consider others as more important than themselves.
• Matthew 5:23-24 – Worship is meaningless if there is unresolved conflict or division among believers.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse is a powerful reminder that worship should never be selfish or routine. When Christians come together to observe the Lord’s Supper, they should do so with humility, gratitude, and a heart of unity.

For modern believers, this verse challenges us to ask:

• Are we truly focused on Christ when we take the Lord’s Supper?
• Do we approach worship with the right heart, or do we go through the motions?
• Are we treating fellow believers with love and respect, or are we allowing divisions to creep in?

This verse also applies beyond the Lord’s Supper. Any form of Christian worship—prayer, singing, preaching—loses its meaning if it is done with selfish motives or without love for others.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is about bringing His people together, not separating them. The Lord’s Supper was given as a gift to the church to help believers remember Jesus’ sacrifice and to strengthen their unity. When divisions arise, it is not because God has failed but because people have allowed selfishness to take priority over love.

God desires His people to approach Him with sincere hearts. He does not just want external actions—He wants worship that comes from a heart that is truly devoted to Him and filled with love for others.

This verse shows that God’s love is not only about individual salvation but about bringing His people together as one family in Christ.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

The Lord’s Supper is all about Jesus. He instituted it as a way for His followers to remember His death and to proclaim His sacrifice until He returns.

• John 6:53-56 – Jesus teaches that His followers must partake of Him, symbolized by eating His flesh and drinking His blood.
• Matthew 20:28 – Jesus came to serve and give His life as a ransom for many.
• Mark 14:22-24 – Jesus’ body was broken and His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sins.
• Romans 5:8 – Christ’s sacrifice is the ultimate demonstration of God’s love.

Paul’s rebuke to the Corinthians is a call to return to the true meaning of the Lord’s Supper: remembering Jesus’ death, proclaiming His sacrifice, and uniting in faith and love.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How do you approach the Lord’s Supper? Do you take time to reflect on its meaning?
2. Are there any divisions in your church or Christian community that need to be addressed?
3. In what ways can you ensure that your worship is focused on Christ and not just a routine?
4. How does selfishness sometimes creep into church life, and how can we guard against it?
5. What does it mean to truly honor Christ when taking the Lord’s Supper?

Paul’s words to the Corinthians serve as a warning and a challenge. Worship is not about going through the motions; it is about coming before God with a humble and sincere heart. When believers gather for the Lord’s Supper, or any act of worship, they should do so with love for Christ and love for one another.