Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:29

What does 1 Corinthians 11:29 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:29 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 11:29 means

Paul explains that the one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. To “discern the body” includes recognizing the sacred reality the elements signify—the Lord’s body given for us—and, in context, recognizing the church as Christ’s body so as not to despise fellow members. Failure on either front—treating the symbols as common or the people as expendable—invites God’s discipline. The Supper demands faith toward Christ and love toward His people. Where these are absent, the act becomes a self-condemning contradiction of the gospel it is meant to declare.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For he that eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself, if he discern not the body.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For he that eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself, if he discern not the body.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For a man puts himself in danger, if he takes part in the holy meal without being conscious that it is the Lord's body.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

for he who is eating and drinking unworthily, judgment to himself he doth eat and drink--not discerning the body of the Lord.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For [the] eater and drinker eats and drinks judgment to himself, not distinguishing the body.

Context

This verse clarifies the nature of unworthy participation. It builds on verse 28’s call for examination and prepares for verse 30’s sobering report of consequences already experienced in Corinth. The emphasis on “the body” ties back to their divisions (verse 18) and forward to the corrective exhortations to judge ourselves (verse 31) and receive the Lord’s discipline as protection from final condemnation (verse 32). Practical instructions will follow in verses 33–34.

v.28But let a man prove himself, and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.

v.29This passage

v.30For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep.

Cross references

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

  • James 5:12

    But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by the heaven, nor by the earth, nor by any other oath: but let your yea be yea, and your nay, nay; that ye fall not under judgment.

  • James 3:1

    Be not manyof youteachers, my brethren, knowing that we shall receive heavier judgment.

  • Ecclesiastes 8:5

    Whoso keepeth the commandment shall know no evil thing; and a wise man’s heart discerneth time and judgment:

  • 1 Corinthians 11:27

    Wherefore 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.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:32

    But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:24

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

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