Taking communion, also known as the Lord’s Supper or Eucharist, is an important ritual in the Christian faith. It is a time to remember and celebrate the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on the cross for the forgiveness of sins. The apostle Paul addresses the proper attitude and manner in which to partake of communion in 1 Corinthians 11:27, “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.” What did Paul mean by taking communion in an “unworthy manner”? Here is an in-depth look at this verse and the meaning behind it.
The Context of 1 Corinthians 11:27
To fully understand what Paul meant, we need to look at the broader context of his teaching on communion in 1 Corinthians 11. In the preceding verses, Paul recounts the words Jesus spoke at the Last Supper about eating the bread and drinking the cup in remembrance of his body and blood sacrificed for them (1 Cor 11:23-26). Paul then transitions in verse 27 to warn against partaking in communion in an “unworthy manner.” The subsequent verses provide more details on what this unworthy manner looks like.
In verse 29, Paul explains that those who eat and drink without “discerning the body” eat and drink judgment against themselves. The body refers to recognizing the meaning and significance of Christ’s physical body that was broken and blood that was poured out on the cross. To take communion properly, believers must reflect upon and appreciate what Christ accomplished for them through His sacrifice.
Verses 30-32 describe further consequences for partaking in an unworthy manner. Some in the Corinthian church became sick and weak, and a number even died. Paul explains that these judgments from God are intended for discipline so that believers will examine their hearts and avoid condemnation. The point is to take communion in a serious and reverent manner.
Indicators of an “Unworthy Manner”
Based on the context, here are some key indicators of what would constitute taking communion in an unworthy or irreverent manner:
- Failing to recognize the meaning and significance of Christ’s sacrificed body and blood represented in the elements (v. 29).
- Partaking out of habit or ritual only, without heartfelt reflection.
- Ignoring the holy, sacred nature of communion by participating flippantly.
- Harboring unconfessed sin or unrepented sin while partaking.
- Having conflict or broken relationships with other believers and taking communion anyway (vv. 18-22).
- Introducing divisive factions into the church and the communion time (v. 18).
- Selfish attitudes, not being attentive to the needs of others (vv. 20-22).
- Using communion as an opportunity for selfish overindulgence in food and drink (v. 21).
In summary, an unworthy manner centers around having an irreverent, flippant attitude that fails to discern Christ’s body and blood represented in the elements. It also involves broken relationships and conflict within the body of believers, as well as selfish attitudes and actions that contradict the selfless sacrifice of Christ.
How to Take Communion in a Worthy Manner
In contrast to an unworthy manner, how should believers approach communion properly and reverently? Here are some principles for taking communion in a “worthy manner”:
- Engage in self-examination and reflection beforehand (v. 28). Confess any known sins you need to repent of.
- Discern that the elements represent Christ’s actual body and blood sacrificed for your salvation (v. 29). Remember and appreciate what Christ did for you on the cross.
- Approach God with gratitude, awe, and respect for the holiness of communion.
- Celebrate communion with unity of heart and purpose with other believers (no divisions or factions).
- Show the self-sacrificing love of Christ to others, meeting needs and pursuing reconciliation if needed.
- Focus on Christ and the cross during communion, not yourself.
- Participate with seriousness and sincerity of heart, avoiding flippancy.
In summary, a worthy manner means reflecting humbly on your sin and Christ’s sacrifice, revering the holiness of communion, and embracing Christ’s love for others during the time of remembrance.
Why Is an Unworthy Manner So Serious?
Given the serious consequences Paul outlined like sickness and even death, why is partaking of communion unworthily viewed in Scripture as such a grave act? Here are some reasons:
- It fails to show proper respect and honor to Christ.
- It disregard’s Christ’s body that was broken and blood that was poured out to forge a new covenant.
- It uses a holy memorial for selfish purposes and treats it as common.
- It brings dishonor to the name of Christ and damages Christian witness.
- It humiliates those in poverty while others feast (v. 22).
- It creates divisions within the body of Christ.
- It provokes God’s discipline because He cares deeply about the sanctity of communion.
In essence, an unworthy manner reflects badly on Christ Himself and profanes the sacred meaning of the Lord’s Supper. This is why God disciplined the Corinthians strongly for making a mockery of this holy ordinance.
How to Avoid God’s Discipline
Since an unworthy manner results in God’s discipline (v. 32), how can believers avoid His chastisement when partaking of communion? Here are some tips:
- Engage in self-examination before communion, confessing all known sin (v. 28).
- Make things right with others you have offended or treat unjustly.
- Approach God with humility, sincerity, and repentance.
- Discern Christ’s body and blood, remembering His sacrifice on your behalf.
- Revere communion as a holy time instituted by Christ.
- Reflect on Christ’s love and grace, giving thanks.
- Repent promptly if the Spirit convicts you of any wrong attitudes or actions.
- Accept God’s discipline if needed, to restore you to righteousness.
Most importantly, nurture consistent communion with God through prayer, Scripture, and obedience. This provides sensitivity to sin and openness to the Spirit’s conviction, enabling self-examination and repentance to keep our hearts right before God.
Practical Tips for Taking Communion
Based on the principles discussed, here are some practical tips for appropriately partaking of communion:
- Prepare your heart through prayer, confession, and worship before communion.
- Come to the Lord’s table in humility, recognizing your sinfulness and Christ’s grace.
- During communion, meditate on the meaning of Christ’s body and blood.
- Reflect on specific blessings made possible through Christ’s sacrifice.
- Examine if you harbor any unforgiveness needing reconciliation.
- Repent of any attitudes or behaviors dishonoring to Christ.
- Commit to living according to God’s Word until you take communion again.
- Close communion time with prayer, giving God thanks and praise.
Additionally, be sensitive to others during communion by avoiding distractions or disruptions. Keep phones silenced and activities minimalized so believers can focus reverently on Christ.
Communion as a Time of Rededication
Along with remembrance and celebration of Christ’s sacrifice, communion provides the opportunity for rededication of one’s life to the Lord. Here are some ways to incorporate this aspect:
- Consider areas where your obedience or devotion may have weakened.
- Yield those areas of your life back to God during communion.
- Prayerfully commit to pursuing holiness and serving Christ with your whole heart.
- Ask God to renew areas of diminished fervor or drift.
- Purpose to walk faithfully with Jesus, denying sinful desires.
- Affirm Christ as Lord over every part of your life.
Approaching communion as a time of renewed devotion enhances the opportunity for self-examination and reconciliation with God. It provides a point of recommitment to living according to God’s standards until we partake again.
Preparing Children to Take Communion
For children and youth still learning the significance of communion, how can parents and leaders appropriately prepare them? Here are some suggestions:
- Instruct children in the meaning of Christ’s sacrificial death using words they understand.
- Explain in simple terms the purpose of remembering Christ through communion.
- Make sure they have trusted Christ as Savior before participating.
- Teach them to reflect quietly on Christ during communion.
- Remind them communion is a special, sacred time.
- Help them examine their actions and attitudes beforehand.
- Have them join adults in taking the elements reverently.
- Talk afterwards about their experience and what communion means.
The goal is to impart an age-appropriate understanding of communion’s significance. Patient instruction will foster healthy participation and reverence for this holy ordinance.
Significance of Communion for the Church
For the church body as a whole, what are some valuable purposes and effects of taking communion together?
- Unifies Christians through shared remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice.
- Renews their devotion to Christ by refocusing on the cross.
- Reaffirms the new covenant established through Christ’s blood.
- Provides a point for self-examination and repentance of sin.
- Reconciles broken relationships between believers.
- Reminds the church of the Lord’s death until He returns.
- Proclaims the Gospel through the pictorial message in the elements.
- Enables believers to testify to their faith in Christ.
In summary, communion strengthens the church spiritually by pointing believers back to the cross. It also fosters unity, reconciliation, and rededication to proclaiming the Gospel. The Lord knew His church would need this vivid memorial of His sacrifice through all generations until His return.
Frequency of Taking Communion
How often should believers and churches partake of communion? Here are some insights from Scripture:
- Jesus simply instructed doing it “in remembrance of me” without specifying frequency (Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24-25).
- The early church took communion regularly, presumably at least weekly (Acts 2:46).
- Taking it “often” shows forth Christ’s death until He returns (1 Cor. 11:26).
- Too infrequently diminishes its purpose as a memorial reminder.
- Daily or weekly seems implied though not mandated.
While no specific interval is commanded, communion does bring spiritual benefits in remembrance of Christ’s death. More frequent communion keeps this memorial central and allows more opportunity for self-examination and rededication.
Who Can Take Communion?
Is communion limited to certain believers, or can all Christians participate? Looking at Scripture, here is what we find:
- Communion began with Jesus’ celebration with His disciples only.
- The early church took communion in homes with other believers (Acts 2:46).
- Paul corrected the Corinthians assuming common believers couldn’t participate.
- Paul said those partaking must be able to “discern the body” meaning understand Christ’s sacrifice.
- This implies a certain maturity level to partake appropriately.
In conclusion, any baptized Christian adequately instructed to discern Christ’s body and blood represented in the elements can participate. However, children should be old enough to grasp the significance before taking communion. The emphasis is on partaking in a worthy manner.
Should Non-Christians Take Communion?
Can non-Christians take communion, such as seekers visiting a church? Here are some guiding considerations:
- Communion is intended as a memorial ordinance for believers in Christ.
- Taking it means identifying with and remembering Christ’s sacrifice on your behalf.
- Non-believers cannot properly discern the body and blood being represented.
- Scripture warns against taking communion in an unworthy manner.
- It creates confusion for non-believers to participate in a faith ritual.
Based on these factors, it seems inappropriate for non-Christians unfamiliar with its meaning to participate. Visitor cards or programs can explain that communion is for those trusting fully in Christ’s sacrifice for salvation. An exception could be made for a seeker close to faith.
Taking Communion Alone
Can believers take communion privately outside the church assembly? Here are perspectives from Scripture:
- The Last Supper and early church examples portray it as a corporate activity.
- The Corinthian errorshighlight the need for unity and order in communion.
- Nowhere are believers forbidden from personal communion times.
- The essential meaning and benefits remain whether alone or gathered.
In conclusion, corporate communion seems the biblical model. But occasional private communion may be appropriate for devotion, remembrance, or rededication during travels or illnesses if church gatherings are inaccessible.
Virtual or Online Communion
With technology today, churches conduct services online. Can believers partake of communion remotely this way? Let’s weigh some considerations.
- The communal, shared experience of communion may be diminished online.
- Yet its core purpose of remembering Christ’s sacrifice remains.
- All the elements leading to a worthy manner are still possible.
- It allows continuation of this biblically mandated practice when meeting in person is impossible.
- Appropriate attitudes and preparation on the part of believers are just as essential.
In conclusion, while in-person communion is ideal, online communion may be a legitimate option in extenuating circumstances out of the church’s control. The vital attitudes and reflection on Christ’s sacrifice remain unchanged.
Common Errors and Issues with Communion
Here are some potential pitfalls and mistakes churches should avoid regarding communion:
- Letting communion become routine habit without heartfelt reflection.
- Failing to instruct children adequately before participating.
- Not explaining the practice thoughtfully to non-believing visitors.
- Allowing selfish divisions or factions to persist in the church.
- Neglecting personal examination and repentance beforehand.
- Being distracted by phones, chatter, or irreverent behavior during communion.
- Consuming excess elements and turning it into a meal.
- Arguing over frequency, timing, or precise methods.
With attentiveness and vigilance, churches can maintain the biblical purpose and sanctity of communion. The purity of the Lord’s Supper honors Christ and blesses His church.
Conclusion
Taking communion unworthily by disregarding the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice and displaying irreverence toward this sacred memorial brings God’s discipline and undermines Christian witness. But by heeding Paul’s instructions, self-examining, discerning Christ’s body and blood, and partaking with soberness and sincerity, believers bless the church and bring glory to the Lord through this holy ordinance instituted by Jesus Himself. Following these biblical principles allows all generations to commemorate His death until He returns.