For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
Parallel translations
- WEB For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy way eats and drinks judgment to himself, if he doesn’t discern the Lord’s body.
- BSB For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself.
- NKJV For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.
- NASB For the one who eats and drinks, eats and drinks judgment to himself if he does not properly recognize the body.
- NLT For if you eat the bread or drink the cup without honoring the body of Christ, you are eating and drinking God’s judgment upon yourself.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Whoever eats and drinks without discerning the Lord's body brings judgment on himself. Failing to recognize the meal's significance and the body of believers is serious.
Overview
Paul warns that careless participation invites divine judgment because it fails to 'discern the Lord's body.' This likely includes both recognizing the meal as Christ's body given for us and honoring the church as his body, which the Corinthians neglected by despising the poor. Reverent discernment of Christ and his people is essential to worthy participation.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- 1 Cor 11:27Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
- Heb 5:14But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
- 1 Cor 11:30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
- 1 Cor 11:24And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
- 1 Cor 11:32–34But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
- Eccl 8:5Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man’s heart discerneth both time and judgment.
- Jas 5:12But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.
- Jas 3:1My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
- Rom 13:2Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 11:29 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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