Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 10:17

What does 1 Corinthians 10:17 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 10:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 10:17 means

Because believers “who are many” partake of “the one bread,” they are “one bread, one body.” The single loaf at the Supper symbolizes and strengthens the church’s unity in Christ. Communion is vertical and horizontal: fellowship with Christ knits believers to each other. Therefore, attending an idol’s table fractures what the Lord’s table forms, signaling divided loyalties and endangering the weak. Paul stresses that what we share shapes who we are. To honor the one loaf is to preserve the oneness of the body by refusing any meal that implies fellowship with another lord. Unity is not merely a feeling; it is enacted and protected at the table of the Lord.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we all partake of the one bread.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

seeing that we, who are many, are one bread, one body: for we all partake of the one bread.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Because we, being a number of persons, are one bread, we are one body: for we all take part in the one bread.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because one bread, one body, are we the many--for we all of the one bread do partake.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For we, being many, are one bread, one body: all that partake of one bread.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Because we, [being] many, are one loaf, one body; for we all partake of that one loaf.

Context

Building on the meaning of the elements, Paul now draws the corporate implication. The Lord’s Supper creates and displays one body. This intensifies the problem with idolatrous banquets: they undermine the unity formed at Christ’s table. Next, verse 18 will show that Israel’s sacrificial eating also implied participation, reinforcing the universal principle. Then verses 19–21 will apply this to pagan feasts, insisting on the impossibility of dual communion.

v.16The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a communion of the body of Christ?

v.17This passage

v.18Behold Israel after the flesh: have not they that eat the sacrifices communion with the altar?

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Galatians 3:26

    For ye are all sons of God, through faith, in Christ Jesus.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:26

    For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord’s death till he come.

  • Colossians 3:11

    where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all, and in all.

  • Colossians 2:19

    and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of God.

  • Colossians 3:15

    And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful.

  • Ephesians 4:4

    There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling;

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