Interpretation is something that we all do to some extent, even though we may claim to be objective. However, since the Apostle Paul is not available to answer the question right now, I will have to contemplate what this verse means:
- If any one is hungry, let him eat at home—lest you come together to be condemned. About the other things I will give directions when I come. (1 Corinthians 11:34)
Without consulting the context, what is interesting about this verse is we are told:
- Feeling hungry: eat at home.
- Want to come together: you will be condemned.
- Regarding other matters: directions come later.
This is not a very inviting offer that is being made and sounds like some dictatorial individual issuing a fatwa.
When we are aware that the Apostle is talking about coming together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, then we understand this is not a place for pigs at the trough.
The Lord’s Supper we are informed was celebrated on a regular basis and appears to be the very reason why the people were to meet together.
- For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
There is evidence that coming together to break bread was done not once a year, or once a quarter or once a month but on the first day of every week.
- On the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread… (Acts 20:7)
- On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that contributions need not be made when I come. (1 Corinthians 16:2)
The proclamation to proclaim the Lord’s death was done in remembrance, not only of the fact that Jesus had died, but also that He had risen, otherwise their faith would be in vain.
- If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:14)
Many claim they accept that Lord Jesus Christ died for their sins and rose from the dead and baptizes believers in the Holy Spirit. Somewhat sadly—even tragically—too many people, who call upon His name, and say that they desire to walk in the ways of Lord Jesus, (Romans 8:4–8) fail to understand what communion, (i.e. the Lord’s Supper) is really all about.
These individuals see communion as Zwingli appears to have done: a mere ritual that was virtually a token expression of what happened on the Cross of Calvary. They do not realize that communion with God also means celebrating His presence via the Holy Spirit, and that whenever two or more are gathered in the name of Jesus, there He is within their midst.
- The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)
- But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)
- For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)
The Apostle of Lord Jesus Christ was instructing those at Corinth that when they came together, unless they came together to celebrate that they are members of the Body of Christ, walking in the communion of the Holy Spirit, they bring condemnation upon themselves. (Has anything changed?)
As for the other matters, there is no indication of what they were. The numerous speculations tend to center around questions concerning the Lord’s Supper.
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