Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 11:30

What does 1 Corinthians 11:30 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:30 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 11:30 means

Paul states that because of this failure, many in Corinth are weak and sick, and some have died (“sleep”). God’s discipline had already fallen in tangible ways. The Lord takes His Table seriously. These afflictions were not random; they were chastisements to awaken repentance. “Sleep” for death reminds believers that even in discipline God keeps His own. This verse jolts the church into seeing that sacred things must not be trifled with. The Supper is a blessing when approached in faith and love, but it can become the occasion of divine discipline when profaned by selfishness and irreverence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For this cause a number of you are feeble and ill, and a number are dead.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Because of this, among you many <FI>are<Fi> weak and sickly, and sleep do many;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you: and many sleep.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

On this account many among you [are] weak and infirm, and a good many are fallen asleep.

Context

Following the explanation of unworthy participation (verse 29), Paul points to concrete outcomes among the Corinthians. This confirms the seriousness of the matter and prepares for the next step: urging self-judgment to avoid God’s judgment (verse 31) and interpreting divine judgment as corrective, not condemning, for believers (verse 32). The section will then conclude with simple, practical steps to restore order and love at their meals (verses 33–34).

v.29For he that eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself, if he discern not the body.

v.30This passage

v.31But if we discerned ourselves, we should not be judged.

Cross references

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

  • Numbers 20:12

    And Jehovah said unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed not in me, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.

  • Numbers 20:24

    Aaron shall be gathered unto his people; for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah.

  • 2 Samuel 12:14

    Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

  • 1 Kings 13:21

    and he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith Jehovah, Forasmuch as thou hast been disobedient unto the mouth of Jehovah, and hast not kept the commandment which Jehovah thy God commanded thee,

  • 1 Thessalonians 4:14

    For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that are fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

  • Psalms 89:31

    If they break my statutes, And keep not my commandments;

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