1 Corinthians 11:27
What does 1 Corinthians 11:27 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:27 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 11:27 means
Paul warns that whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. The issue is the manner, not personal merit. To treat the Supper carelessly, selfishly, or divisively is to sin against what it signifies—Christ’s sacrificial death. Such participation mocks the gospel enacted in the meal. This sobering word is meant to awaken reverence. The Lord’s Table is for repentant, believing sinners who come in faith and love, not for those who disregard Christ’s body and the unity it creates.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949If, then, anyone takes the bread or the cup of the Lord in the wrong spirit, he will be responsible for the body and blood of the Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862so that whoever may eat this bread or may drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, guilty he shall be of the body and blood of the Lord:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890So that whosoever shall eat the bread, or drink the cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty in respect of the body and of the blood of the Lord.
Context
This warning flows directly from verse 26’s proclamation. If the Supper publicly declares Christ’s death, then to partake unworthily is to contradict that declaration. Paul will immediately prescribe self-examination as the proper preparation (verse 28). Verses 29–30 will explain that failure to discern the body brings God’s judgment, which had already taken the form of weakness, sickness, and even death among some. Verses 31–32 will distinguish self-judgment from God’s chastening judgment.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Chronicles 30:18
For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it is written. For Hezekiah had prayed for them, saying, The good Jehovah pardon every one
- Numbers 9:10
Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your generations shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be on a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto Jehovah.
- Numbers 9:13
But the man that is clean, and is not on a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people; because he offered not the oblation of Jehovah in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.
- John 6:63
It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.
- John 13:18
I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eateth my bread lifted up his heel against me.
- Hebrews 10:29
of how much sorer punishment, think ye, shall he be judged worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
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