1 Corinthians 11:34

What does 1 Corinthians 11:34 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 11:34 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 11:34 means

Finally, Paul says that if anyone is hungry, he should eat at home, so that the church’s gathering will not result in judgment. This separates common meals from the holy observance, removing the occasion for selfishness and humiliation of the poor. He will address other details when he comes, showing pastoral wisdom to handle remaining questions personally. The aim is clear: protect the sanctity of the Lord’s Table, promote unity, and avoid God’s chastening by aligning practice with Christ’s institution. Reverence and love must govern the assembly, so that their coming together is for blessing, not harm.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

If any man is hungry, let him eat at home; that your coming together be not unto judgment. And the rest will I set in order whensoever I come.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

If any man is hungry, let him eat at home; that your coming together be not unto judgment. And the rest will I set in order whensoever I come.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

If any man is in need of food, let him take his meal in his house; so that you may not come together to your damage. And the rest I will put in order when I come.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and if any one is hungry, at home let him eat, that to judgment ye may not come together; and the rest, whenever I may come, I shall arrange.

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

If any man be hungry, let him eat at home; that you come not together unto judgment. And the rest I will set in order, when I come.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

If any one be hungry, let him eat at home, that ye may not come together for judgment. But the other things, whenever I come, I will set in order.

Context

This closing verse completes Paul’s correction of the Lord’s Supper abuses. It offers a practical boundary and postpones secondary matters for Paul’s future visit. The chapter thus ends with order restored in principle: headship and decorum in worship (verses 3–16) and reverent, loving observance of the Lord’s Supper (verses 17–34). The reader is left with a vision of gatherings that honor Christ, edify the body, and avoid needless offense or divine displeasure.

v.33Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, wait one for another.

v.34This passage

Cross references

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

  • 1 Corinthians 4:19

    But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will; and I will know, not the word of them that are puffed up, but the power.

  • 1 Corinthians 16:5

    But I will come unto you, when I shall have passed through Macedonia; for I pass through Macedonia;

  • 1 Corinthians 16:2

    Upon the first day of the week let each one of you lay by him in store, as he may prosper, that no collections be made when I come.

  • 1 Corinthians 7:17

    Only, as the Lord hath distributed to each man, as God hath called each, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all the churches.

  • 1 Corinthians 11:21

    for in your eating each one taketh before other his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

  • Titus 1:5

    For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge;

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