1 Corinthians 11:20
When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
Original Language Analysis
Συνερχομένων
come together
G4905
Συνερχομένων
come together
Strong's:
G4905
Word #:
1 of 11
to convene, depart in company with, associate with, or (specially), cohabit (conjugally)
οὖν
therefore
G3767
οὖν
therefore
Strong's:
G3767
Word #:
2 of 11
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
ἐπὶ
into
G1909
ἐπὶ
into
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 11
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
αὐτὸ
one place
G846
αὐτὸ
one place
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 11
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
The agape feast combined fellowship meal with Eucharist. Believers brought food to share—a countercultural practice in Greco-Roman society where meals were stratified by class. But Corinthians perverted this: wealthy members arrived early, consumed their lavish food and wine, and left nothing for poorer members arriving late from work. The resulting meal mimicked pagan banquets (hierarchical, gluttonous) rather than embodying Christ's self-sacrifice. Paul's shock is palpable—how dare they call this "the Lord's Supper"?
Questions for Reflection
- How can religious rituals be formally correct but spiritually empty?
- What does it mean for a meal (or worship practice) to 'belong to the Lord'—how does ownership shape practice?
- How might modern communion practices subtly undermine the Table's meaning through individualism or formalism?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper—Stinging indictment. Συνερχομένων οὖν ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό (when you come together into one place)—the phrase epi to auto recalls Acts 2:44, 47 (believers gathered 'together'). Church assembly is meant for unity, but Corinthian practice contradicted this.
This is not to eat the Lord's supper (οὐκ ἔστιν κυριακὸν δεῖπνον φαγεῖν)—kyriakon deipnon (Lord's supper) appears here first in Scripture. Paul coins the term to distinguish the sacred meal from ordinary eating. Their gatherings looked like the Lord's Supper but weren't—divisions, gluttony, and drunkenness evacuated the meal of its covenantal meaning. Form without substance, ritual without reality. This anticipates vv. 27-29: unworthy participation brings judgment. The Lord's Supper belongs to the Lord and must reflect His character (self-giving love) and His body (unity in diversity).