1 Corinthians 11:21 – “For when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

Paul continues his rebuke of the Corinthian church in this verse, calling out their selfish and dishonorable behavior during the Lord’s Supper. Instead of gathering as one unified body to remember Christ’s sacrifice, they had turned the meal into a self-indulgent feast.

The phrase “some of you go ahead with your own private suppers” indicates that instead of waiting to partake in the meal together, wealthier members were eating in advance, ignoring those who had less. This led to an outrageous imbalance—some were left hungry while others overindulged, even to the point of drunkenness.

This behavior completely contradicted the purpose of the Lord’s Supper. The meal was meant to symbolize unity in Christ, but instead, their actions highlighted selfishness and division. Paul is not just correcting bad manners—he is exposing a deeper spiritual issue: a lack of love and respect for fellow believers and for the sacred nature of the meal.

Historical Context

The early church often observed the Lord’s Supper as part of a larger communal meal, sometimes called an “agape feast” (a love feast). These gatherings were meant to be a time of fellowship, where believers shared food and remembered Christ’s sacrifice.

However, in Roman society, social class dictated behavior even at meals. Wealthier hosts would often serve themselves first, enjoying the best food and drink, while the lower-class guests—often slaves or laborers—would receive little or nothing. This practice had crept into the church, corrupting the very meaning of the Lord’s Supper.

Paul’s rebuke shows that such divisions had no place in the body of Christ. In God’s kingdom, all believers are equal at the Lord’s table, and no one should be treated as less important.

Theological Implications

1. The Lord’s Supper is sacred, not an ordinary meal – It is not meant for selfish indulgence but for honoring Christ and fostering unity.
2. Selfishness is a serious sin in the church – Worship that disregards others is unacceptable before God.
3. Christian unity is non-negotiable – The church is one body in Christ, and divisions contradict that truth.
4. True worship requires love for others – Worshiping God while neglecting fellow believers is hypocritical.

This verse reminds believers that worship is not just about personal experience; it is about honoring God together as a community.

Literary Analysis

Paul’s wording is blunt and condemning. The contrast between “one person remains hungry” and “another gets drunk” highlights the absurdity of the situation. This is not a minor issue—this is a complete distortion of what the Lord’s Supper is supposed to be.

The phrase “your own private suppers” suggests that they had turned what was meant to be a shared meal into an act of selfishness. The Lord’s Supper is meant to be an expression of unity in Christ, but their actions were creating division instead.

Paul’s tone here is corrective, leading into stronger warnings in the following verses. He is making it clear that what they are doing is not just wrong—it is dishonoring God Himself.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Acts 2:42-46 – The early believers shared everything in unity and broke bread together.
• Romans 12:10 – Believers are to honor one another above themselves.
• Galatians 3:28 – In Christ, there is no division based on status; all are one.
• Philippians 2:3-4 – Christians are called to put others’ needs before their own.
• Matthew 22:37-39 – Loving God and loving others go hand in hand.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse warns against selfishness in worship and church life. Today, believers may not struggle with food divisions during communion, but there are still ways that selfishness can creep into worship:

• Ignoring those in need while focusing on personal comfort.
• Prioritizing personal preferences in church rather than considering others.
• Approaching communion as just a ritual rather than a moment of true reflection.

The Lord’s Supper is meant to be a time of unity and love. Modern Christians should use this as a time to examine their hearts and ensure they are living in a way that reflects Christ’s love for others.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is for all His people, and He calls them to reflect that love in their actions. This verse shows that God cares about how believers treat one another. Worship that ignores the needs of others is not true worship at all.

God’s love is seen in His desire for unity among His people. He does not want anyone to feel excluded or overlooked. The Lord’s Supper is meant to be a reminder of His love—a love that does not favor the rich over the poor, the strong over the weak, or the privileged over the disadvantaged.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Jesus came to serve, not to be served (Mark 10:45). His entire life was an example of putting others first.

• John 13:12-17 – Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, teaching them to serve one another.
• Luke 22:19-20 – Jesus established the Lord’s Supper as a way to remember His sacrifice.
• Matthew 25:35-40 – Jesus teaches that caring for others is an act of love toward Him.
• 1 John 3:16-18 – True love is shown through action, not just words.

Jesus gave His body and blood for all believers, and the Lord’s Supper is meant to reflect that selfless love. Paul’s rebuke reminds the Corinthians—and all Christians—that to take part in communion while ignoring the needs of others is to miss the whole point of Christ’s sacrifice.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How do you prepare your heart before taking communion?
2. Are there ways that selfishness or division can creep into church life today?
3. How can you show greater love and unity with fellow believers?
4. Do you consider the needs of others in your church, or do personal preferences take priority?
5. How does the way you approach the Lord’s Supper reflect your understanding of Christ’s sacrifice?

Paul’s words serve as a reminder that worship is not just about personal experience—it is about honoring God together as one body. True worship reflects Christ’s love, and that love should be evident in how believers treat one another.