1 Corinthians chapter 11, on the meaning of & manner in partaking at the Lord's Table, speaks about the person who partakes of it, identifying himself with Christ. The reason for instituting this act was very clear as it had been first done by Jesus with His disciples. In the Church, the believer approaches the Table solemnly, understanding the meaning of the emblems & its relevance to his/her life.
What was happening in the Corinthian Church, was that there were many who just looked at this occasion as a time to have a meal with little or no regard to its meaning & to others there, who had not been served as yet. In those days, the Communion Table was actually a Fellowship meal & during that time of gathering, one would rise, take the bread & the cup & draw the believers' hearts into contemplation of the Lord's sacrificial work; similar to the Passover meal that Jesus & the disciples enjoyed together ( Matthew 26:19-29).
So Paul was chastising them for their irreverence, & also approaching this sacred time with hearts not right before God (i.e. they may have believed by going through its motions, some cleansing or sanctifying benefit would be gained - and many do & think this in the Church today). To this type of gluttony & false application, Paul is dealing with them & stating that God does not let this type of behaviour go unpunished. We need to be careful too - it's better to let the emblems pass by us, if we are harbouring any type of sin that needs dealing with & confession.
Because of unforgiving after taking the
supper (Communion)?
What was happening in the Corinthian Church, was that there were many who just looked at this occasion as a time to have a meal with little or no regard to its meaning & to others there, who had not been served as yet. In those days, the Communion Table was actually a Fellowship meal & during that time of gathering, one would rise, take the bread & the cup & draw the believers' hearts into contemplation of the Lord's sacrificial work; similar to the Passover meal that Jesus & the disciples enjoyed together ( Matthew 26:19-29).
So Paul was chastising them for their irreverence, & also approaching this sacred time with hearts not right before God (i.e. they may have believed by going through its motions, some cleansing or sanctifying benefit would be gained - and many do & think this in the Church today). To this type of gluttony & false application, Paul is dealing with them & stating that God does not let this type of behaviour go unpunished. We need to be careful too - it's better to let the emblems pass by us, if we are harbouring any type of sin that needs dealing with & confession.
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