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Book of 1 Corinthians - Chapter 11 - Verse 20

11:20
When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.

Meaning

When the apostle Paul wrote the verse "When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper," he was addressing the Corinthian church and their misuse of the Lord's supper. The Corinthian believers had turned the communion meal into a selfish and divisive gathering, where some would eat and drink to excess while others went hungry. Paul was admonishing them for their lack of reverence and unity during this important sacrament. He wanted to remind them that the purpose of coming together as a church was not simply to indulge in a meal, but to remember and honor the sacrifice of Jesus Christ through the symbolic act of breaking bread and sharing wine. By emphasizing the importance of unity and self-examination before partaking in the Lord's supper, Paul was urging the Corinthians to approach this sacred ritual with humility, gratitude, and respect.

Theological Overview

Upon examining the theological interpretation of the verse 'When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper,' it becomes apparent that the Apostle Paul is addressing the Corinthian church regarding the improper way they were partaking in the Lord's supper. Paul emphasizes that their gatherings should not be solely focused on eating food but rather on partaking in the ceremonial remembrance of Jesus Christ's sacrifice. This verse highlights the importance of honoring the Lord by participating in communion with reverence and understanding of its significance. By delving deeper into the original Greek text, the phrase 'not to eat the Lord's supper' can be translated to mean that the purpose of their gathering was not aligned with the true intention of commemorating Jesus' sacrifice. This verse serves as a reminder for believers to approach the Lord's supper with humility, gratitude, and a solemn understanding of its spiritual meaning.

American Standard Version

When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible to eat the Lord's supper:
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