Edible Words

In 1 Cor 11, Paul warns us not to eat and drink in an unworthy manner (v27) because by drinking in this way we drink judgment on ourselves (v29).

So, how can we eat and drink in an unworthy manner? The answer is simple. To eat unworthily, just behave like the Corinthians.

How did they behave? In verse 18, Paul tells us. There were divisions among the members of the church. Or put another way, there was no church unity.

How were they divided?
First, there were factions; people united around various leaders.
Second, they did not eat together. Some ate on their own and some did not eat. The result of their meals was further division and a display of a lack of love for each other.
Third, some got drunk.

So, how do we avoid being like the Corinthians? Well, Paul gives us the answer in verse 29, the Corinthians failed to “discern the body”.

Paul's talking about the body of Christ, the church, the community of believers. They did not think about each other at their feasts.

We have come today to a service of the Lord's Supper. The small amount of bread and wine which we share represents a full supper with cups of wine and loaves of bread. So I want you to imagine that we are eating dinner together.

Pauls' chief concern is for our unity as a church. We are to be united in Christ not divided. We are to show concern for each other not selfishness.

And so he tells us in verse 33 how to be united and how to show concern. “So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.”

Proper behaviour at the Lord's Supper is to wait for each other until all are ready to join in.

To demonstrate the unity of our faith in Jesus Christ, in his body broken for us, in his blood shed for us, we must eat and drink together in remembrance of him. To demonstrate our love and concern for each other, we must behave as we should at any meal together. We should share the food around so that we all have some.

And so, this meal should unite and not divide us. And we are all united by eating and drinking together as we remember the Lord's death for our sins on the cross.