1 Corinthians 11:27
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
Original Language Analysis
Ὥστε
Wherefore
G5620
Ὥστε
Wherefore
Strong's:
G5620
Word #:
1 of 22
so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)
ὃς
whosoever
G3739
ὃς
whosoever
Strong's:
G3739
Word #:
2 of 22
the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that
ἐσθίῃ
shall eat
G2068
ἐσθίῃ
shall eat
Strong's:
G2068
Word #:
4 of 22
used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
5 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τὸ
G3588
τὸ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ποτήριον
this cup
G4221
ποτήριον
this cup
Strong's:
G4221
Word #:
11 of 22
a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e., a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κυρίου
of the Lord
G2962
κυρίου
of the Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
13 of 22
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
17 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σώματος
of the body
G4983
σώματος
of the body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
18 of 22
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
19 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
αἵματος
blood
G129
αἵματος
blood
Strong's:
G129
Word #:
20 of 22
blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k
Cross References
John 6:51I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.1 Corinthians 10:21Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.Hebrews 10:29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?Numbers 9:13But the man that is clean, and is not in a journey, and forbeareth to keep the passover, even the same soul shall be cut off from among his people: because he brought not the offering of the LORD in his appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.Numbers 9:10Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If any man of you or of your posterity shall be unclean by reason of a dead body, or be in a journey afar off, yet he shall keep the passover unto the LORD.Matthew 22:11And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:
Historical Context
Jewish temple worship distinguished clean/unclean, worthy/unworthy participation. Passover required participants to be ceremonially clean (Exodus 12:43-49, Numbers 9:6-14). Paul transfers this holiness requirement to the Christian Table—not ritual purity but heart purity, specifically unity and self-examination. The early church developed fencing practices (1 Clement, Didache)—excluding unrepentant sinners from the Table to preserve its holiness and the church's witness. Paul's warning shaped Christian liturgy and discipline.
Questions for Reflection
- What does 'unworthy' participation in the Lord's Supper look like practically—what attitudes or actions profane the Table?
- How is being 'guilty of the body and blood' different from merely eating a meal disrespectfully?
- How should churches balance the Table's invitation (grace) with its warning (judgment) without falling into either presumption or legalism?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord—Solemn warning. Ὥστε (wherefore) draws conclusion from vv. 23-26. Ἀναξίως (anaxiōs, unworthily) is adverb—it modifies how one eats, not who is worthy (no one is inherently worthy!). Unworthy eating includes divisions, gluttony, drunkenness (vv. 21-22), and failing to discern the Lord's body (v. 29).
Shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (ἔνοχος ἔσται τοῦ σώματος καὶ τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ κυρίου)—enochos means guilty, liable to judgment, answerable for. Unworthy participation makes one guilty of sinning against Christ Himself—akin to participation in His crucifixion. This echoes Hebrews 6:6 (crucifying Christ afresh) and 10:29 (trampling the Son of God underfoot). The Table is sacred; treating it casually or divisively profanes Christ's sacrifice. This isn't legalism but reverence—the meal signifies Christ's death and demands heart preparation.