Episode 187 – Out of Context Pt 3: Examine Yourself Before Communion
Key Passage(s): 1 Corinthians 11:20-33; Luke 7:34
Communion … out of context … REALLY? That’s not what usually comes to mind when we think about Scripture’s instructions on the Lord’s Supper. In 1 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul commands believers to “examine themselves” before taking communion so they don’t “eat in an unworthy manner.” Pulled from their context, these words are generally used in worship services to invite personal reflection. But Paul was addressing something far more specific and challenging in the life of the Corinthian church that we cannot afford to miss. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a new appreciation for the power of meals to bring healing in a divided world!
Discussion Questions
- What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?
- If meals heal, and eating was a central way Jesus embodied God’s kingdom, how can we as followers of Jesus be more strategic in the kinds of meals we share? What would that look specifically look like?
- Why do you think meals are such a powerful vehicle for creating human connection?
- What are some of the ways you’ve seen or experienced the Church reflecting the divisions and polarization of our society?
- What are some of the beautiful and inspiring ways you’ve seen or experienced the Church reflecting the unity of Christ’s kingdom?
- What did you think of the research about the healing power of family meals?
- How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?
For Further Study
- A History of Rome (The Great Courses) by Garrett G. Fagan – The Shape of Roman Society (Lecture 37)
- A Meal With Jesus by Tim Chester
- Subversive Meals by R. Alan Street
- The Benefit of Family Mealtime (Article) by Harvard Graduate School of Education
- The Patient Ferment of the Early Church by Alan Kreider
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Overall, true to text, but some points somewhat over exaggerated. Failed to see Paul’s concern in chapter 10 re the “ONE body.” Chapter 11 continues that concern. His plea is for the Corinthians to demonstrate Christian love (13) when they gather by “waiting for one another.” Putting others before self. This is why “the body” in chapter 11 must be distinguished between the literal body of Christ And the body of believers. Thanks for your ministry. Selah!
Overall excellent. However, I think Murphy O’Connor in his book on Corinth adds an important aspect to the conversation. He talks about how ancient homes were able to hold maximum 50 people and thus the powerful, rich, people had arrived early and were able to take the best places (places also assigned due to social status as the video so helpfully notices). Meanwhile the less “free” whether slaves or the dependent poor who whose schedule did not permit them to arrive when they wanted, were assigned seats in the atrium. They arrived later and meanwhile the rich and important had already taken the best places and had gotten alll the food and drink they desired (thus, ” they were drunk and overly fed”). The poor who naturally were assigned the lesser quality food also were left with little food and drink. IT was just another way to mistreat the “body” and to foster the divisions. Thus, the issue wasn’t just “who is missing?” Rather, how are we treating one another, especially the poor and marginalized? Hence, Paul concludes with “wait for one another.” Their failure to “discern the body”, that is the unity of the body in Christ and their social distincions was a direct contradiction of the new status and the new unity in Christ. Examine yourself thus means to consider if you are treating one another in this ungodly way.
Love your ministry. I’m learning a lot.
I find this teaching generally applicable, but I cringed when you took the teaching to the level of “tolerance.” Sounded a lot like the world, to me. Yes, we need to include all in the invitation, but all are not given a seat at the table, right? Those who believe, and those who repent are. We love the sinner, and reach out to the unrepentant, but Christ desires a pure bride. That bride will be black, white, Jew and Gentile. Married and single. Rich and poor. But not serially immoral, unbelievers, and the unrepentant. Those who would “trample His grace underfoot.” Those who “continue in sin that Grace may abound.” Also we must agree on who Jesus is. Not just faith in Jesus, but faith in Jesus, the only begotten Son, the Messiah. The only name under Heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12). Working through it.
Hi Clark,
Thanks for your comment, and I certainly hear your concern. However, this is not a teaching about tolerance. It’s important to keep in mind the specific context of 1 Corinthians 11 which was discussed in the episode. Paul is addressing the gathered body of Christian believers in Corinth and their misuse of the meal. Paul isn’t calling the church in Corinth to throw open the meal to anyone and everyone and to let sin run riot in the interest of being inclusive, nor is that the takeaway from this teaching. Paul is speaking directly to Christians who have let the social divisions of their society take precedence over their unity within the body of Christ. This isn’t about tolerating sin “out there” (the world) but rather addressing sin “in here” (Christ’s Church).