1 Corinthians 11: Order, Unity, and the Lord's Supper

Short answer: 1 Corinthians 11 addresses proper conduct in worship, including head coverings and the Lord's Supper, emphasizing order, unity, and self-examination. Paul corrects abuses and calls believers to discern the body of Christ and wait for one another.

What 1 Corinthians 11 says

Paul opens with a call to imitate him as he imitates Christ, then commends the Corinthians for holding to traditions. He introduces a hierarchy: God is head of Christ, Christ is head of man, and man is head of woman. He then addresses head coverings in prayer and prophecy, arguing that a man dishonors his head if covered, while a woman dishonors hers if uncovered. He grounds this in creation order: man is the image and glory of God, and woman is the glory of man, for woman came from man and was created for man. Yet he immediately balances this by affirming mutual dependence in the Lord, for as woman came from man, so man comes through woman, and all things are from God. He appeals to nature and to the practice of the assemblies, urging them to judge rightly and not be contentious.

Paul then shifts to a sharp rebuke about their gatherings. He does not praise them because their meetings do more harm than good. He hears of divisions among them and partly believes it, noting that factions must exist so that the approved may be revealed. Their coming together is not truly the Lord's supper because each one eats his own meal first, leaving some hungry and others drunk. He challenges them: do they not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do they despise God's assembly and shame those who have nothing? He refuses to praise them for this.

Paul then delivers what he received from the Lord: on the night Jesus was betrayed, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and said it is his body broken for them, to be done in remembrance. Likewise, after supper he took the cup, saying it is the new covenant in his blood, to be done in remembrance. Paul explains that eating and drinking proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Therefore, whoever eats or drinks in an unworthy manner is guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Each person must examine himself before eating and drinking, for eating without discerning the Lord's body brings judgment. This is why many are weak, sick, and some have died. But when judged by the Lord, they are disciplined so they will not be condemned with the world.

Paul concludes with practical instructions: when they come together to eat, they should wait for one another. If anyone is hungry, he should eat at home so that their gathering does not result in judgment. He promises to set the rest in order when he comes. The chapter moves from order in worship to the centrality of the Lord's Supper, stressing unity, self-examination, and proper discernment of the body of Christ.

Verses that carry the chapter

• “Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1) — This verse sets the tone for the entire chapter, calling believers to follow Paul's example as he follows Christ. It establishes the pattern of imitation that underlies all the specific instructions that follow.
• “For I received from the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night in which he was betrayed took bread.” (1 Corinthians 11:23) — Paul emphasizes that he received this teaching directly from the Lord, giving authority to the account of the Last Supper. It anchors the practice of communion in Jesus' own actions and words.
• “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:26) — This verse explains the purpose of the Lord's Supper: to proclaim Christ's death until he returns. It ties the meal to the gospel message and the future hope of Christ's coming.
• “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28) — This verse commands self-examination before partaking, highlighting the seriousness of the sacrament. It calls each believer to discern the body of Christ and approach the table with reverence.

Gospel connection

The chapter connects to the wider biblical story by pointing to the new covenant established through Christ's blood, fulfilling the old covenant sacrifices. The Lord's Supper proclaims the death of Jesus until he comes, linking the past event of the cross with the present community and the future return. Paul's teaching on headship and order reflects the creation order and the redemption story, where Christ is the head of every man and the church. The warnings about unworthy participation and judgment echo the seriousness of sin and the need for a Savior, while the promise of not being condemned with the world shows God's discipline and grace. Ultimately, the chapter drives believers to the cross, where Christ's body was broken and his blood shed for the forgiveness of sins.

Application

This chapter asks readers to examine their own hearts and actions when they gather for worship, especially around the Lord's Supper. It calls for unity, patience, and discernment, not rushing to satisfy personal appetites but waiting for one another. It challenges believers to consider how they treat the assembly of God and those who have less. It also invites self-examination, not to foster guilt but to foster reverence and gratitude for Christ's sacrifice. Practically, it means preparing before communion, confessing sin, and recognizing the body of Christ in the gathered community. It also means ordering worship in a way that honors God and builds up the church, avoiding divisions and selfishness.

Biblical fidelity check

The chapter does not specify the exact nature of the head covering or the cultural details behind it, nor does it give a universal rule for all times and places. It does not claim that women are inferior or that men are superior, but speaks of headship and glory within a created order. It does not explain what it means to eat and drink in an unworthy manner beyond the context of divisions and selfishness at the meal. It does not say that sickness or death is always a direct result of unworthy communion, but presents it as a possible consequence within the Corinthian situation. It also does not provide a complete liturgy for the Lord's Supper, only the essential elements and the call to remember and proclaim.

Questions for study

1. What does Paul mean when he says to imitate him as he imitates Christ, and how does that apply to our lives today?
2. How do the instructions about head coverings in verses 4-7 reflect the creation order, and what principles can we draw for worship today?
3. Why does Paul emphasize mutual dependence between man and woman in verses 11-12, and how does that balance the earlier statements about headship?
4. What are the divisions Paul addresses in verses 18-19, and how can factions actually reveal who is approved?
5. How should we understand the warning about eating and drinking in an unworthy manner, and what does it mean to discern the Lord's body?

Keep reading

Related studies: 1 Corinthians 1 Bible Study, 1 Corinthians 10 Bible Study, 1 Corinthians 12 Bible Study, 1 Corinthians 15 Bible Study.

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FAQ

What does it mean to eat and drink in an unworthy manner?

It means participating in the Lord's Supper without discerning the body of Christ, often shown by selfishness, divisions, and lack of self-examination. Paul warns that such participation brings judgment.

Why does Paul talk about head coverings in this chapter?

Paul addresses head coverings to correct disorder in worship and to uphold the created order of headship, while also affirming mutual dependence in the Lord. The specific application may vary culturally, but the principles of honor and order remain.

What is the purpose of the Lord's Supper according to this chapter?

The Lord's Supper is a remembrance of Jesus' body and blood, a proclamation of his death until he comes, and a means of grace that requires self-examination and unity among believers.