1 Corinthians 10:16
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
Original Language Analysis
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποτήριον
The cup
G4221
ποτήριον
The cup
Strong's:
G4221
Word #:
2 of 24
a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e., a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
3 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
εὐλογίας
of blessing
G2129
εὐλογίας
of blessing
Strong's:
G2129
Word #:
4 of 24
fine speaking, i.e., elegance of language; commendation ("eulogy"), i.e., (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by implication, consecr
ὃν
which
G3739
ὃν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
5 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
εὐλογοῦμεν
we bless
G2127
εὐλογοῦμεν
we bless
Strong's:
G2127
Word #:
6 of 24
to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)
κοινωνία
the communion
G2842
κοινωνία
the communion
Strong's:
G2842
Word #:
8 of 24
partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αἵματος
of the blood
G129
αἵματος
of the blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
10 of 24
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὃν
which
G3739
ὃν
which
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
16 of 24
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
κοινωνία
the communion
G2842
κοινωνία
the communion
Strong's:
G2842
Word #:
19 of 24
partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
20 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σώματος
of the body
G4983
σώματος
of the body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
21 of 24
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 2:42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.1 John 1:7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.Hebrews 3:14For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;Acts 2:46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,1 Corinthians 1:9God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.Acts 20:7And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.1 John 1:3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.Acts 20:11When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.1 Corinthians 12:13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
Historical Context
The Lord's Supper originated in Jesus's Passover meal (Luke 22:19-20). Early Christians continued this practice (Acts 2:42, "breaking of bread"). Paul's teaching on koinōnia was likely understood against both Jewish sacrificial meals (where eating consecrated meat established fellowship with God) and pagan cultic meals (where participants shared fellowship with the deity honored). The cup and bread are means of grace through which believers commune with Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does understanding communion as true "participation" in Christ's body and blood change the way you approach the Lord's Supper?
- What does it mean practically to have "fellowship" with Christ through the sacrament?
- How can you prepare your heart to receive communion with proper reverence and faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?—Paul uses two rhetorical questions expecting affirmative answers. The cup of blessing (to potērion tēs eulogias, τὸ ποτήριον τῆς εὐλογίας) references the third cup in the Passover meal, over which Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper. Which we bless (eulogoumen, εὐλογοῦμεν) means "give thanks for" or "pronounce blessing over."
The crucial word is koinōnia (κοινωνία, "communion/participation/fellowship/sharing"). This isn't mere symbolism or memorial—it's real spiritual participation in Christ's blood and body. The cup mediates fellowship with Christ's redemptive death; the bread mediates union with His sacrificed body. This doesn't mean the elements physically become Christ (transubstantiation) but that through them believers truly commune with Christ by the Spirit.
Paul's logic: if the Lord's Supper is genuine koinōnia with Christ, then eating at idol tables is koinōnia with demons (v. 20). You can't have fellowship with both. The sacrament isn't magic, but it's not merely symbolic either—it's Spirit-empowered communion with the risen Christ. This makes idol-temple participation not just unwise but spiritually adulterous.