Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:23

What does 1 Corinthians 11:23 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 11:23 means

Paul returns to first principles. What he delivered to them about the Lord’s Supper he received from the Lord: on the night He was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread. By rooting the practice in Christ’s own action and command, Paul strips away human innovation. The betrayal setting heightens the gravity: at the moment of treachery, Jesus gave a meal of faithful love. The Supper is not the church’s invention; it is the Lord’s. Therefore, Corinth must submit its practice to His word. To remember this origin is to let Christ define what the meal is and how it must be observed.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread;

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread;

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For it was handed down to me from the Lord, as I gave it to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night when Judas was false to him, took bread,

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For I--I received from the Lord that which also I did deliver to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was delivered up, took bread,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread,

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For I received from the Lord, that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, in the night in which he was delivered up, took bread,

Context

This begins Paul’s restatement of the institution narrative, which continues in verses 24–25. It shifts the focus from Corinth’s abuses to Christ’s authoritative establishment of the meal. By hearing again what the Lord Jesus did and said, the Corinthians can recover the true meaning and purpose of the Supper and measure their conduct against it. Verse 26 will then draw out the ongoing significance of the observance for the church’s life until Christ returns.

v.22What, have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you? In this I praise you not.

v.23This passage

v.24and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me.

Cross references

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

  • Matthew 26:2

    Ye know that after two days the passover cometh, and the Son of man is delivered up to be crucified.

  • Mark 14:22

    And as they were eating, he took bread, and when he had blessed, he brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take ye: this is my body.

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:2

    For ye know what charge we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

  • Luke 22:19

    And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:23

    For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread;

  • Matthew 26:17

    Now on the firstdayof unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying, Where wilt thou that we make ready for thee to eat the passover?

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