1 Corinthians 11:20
What does 1 Corinthians 11:20 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:20 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 11:20 means
Paul says that when they assemble, it is not to eat the Lord’s supper. Their practice has so distorted the meal that, though they gather and eat, it cannot rightly be called the Lord’s Supper. The Supper belongs to the Lord—His meaning, His command, His people. When self-interest and status take over, the meal ceases to proclaim Christ and instead proclaims division. This is a stinging rebuke. It warns churches that form, without substance, is empty. True observance requires love, reverence, and recognition of Christ’s body and blood, not just ritual actions or words.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible to eat the Lord’s supper:
KJV
King James Version · 1611When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901When therefore ye assemble yourselves together, it is not possible to eat the Lord’s supper:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But now, when you come together, it is not possible to take the holy meal of the Lord:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862ye, then, coming together at the same place--it is not to eat the Lord's supper;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752When you come therefore together into one place, it is not now to eat the Lord's supper.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890When ye come therefore together into one place, it is not to eat [the] Lord's supper.
Context
This blunt verdict sets up the specifics in verse 21. Paul is transitioning from the diagnosis of divisions to the concrete symptoms at the meal: hoarding, drunkenness, and neglect of the poor. After exposing the behavior (verses 21–22), he will re-teach the Supper’s institution (verses 23–25) and its meaning for the church’s ongoing life (verse 26), leading to warnings and corrective instructions (verses 27–34).
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