1 Corinthians 11:24
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
εὐχαριστήσας
when he had given thanks
G2168
εὐχαριστήσας
when he had given thanks
Strong's:
G2168
Word #:
2 of 22
to be grateful, i.e., (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
4 of 22
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
σῶμα
body
G4983
σῶμα
body
Strong's:
G4983
Word #:
12 of 22
the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively
τὴν
which
G3588
τὴν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 22
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὑπὲρ
for
G5228
ὑπὲρ
for
Strong's:
G5228
Word #:
14 of 22
"over", i.e., (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case super
ποιεῖτε
do
G4160
ποιεῖτε
do
Strong's:
G4160
Word #:
18 of 22
to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct)
εἰς
in
G1519
εἰς
in
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
19 of 22
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
Cross References
Isaiah 26:8Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee.Song of Solomon 5:1I am come into my garden, my sister, my spouse: I have gathered my myrrh with my spice; I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey; I have drunk my wine with my milk: eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.Proverbs 9:5Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.Exodus 12:14And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and ye shall keep it a feast to the LORD throughout your generations; ye shall keep it a feast by an ordinance for ever.Isaiah 25:6And in this mountain shall the LORD of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined.Psalms 111:4He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.Song of Solomon 1:4Draw me, we will run after thee: the king hath brought me into his chambers: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, we will remember thy love more than wine: the upright love thee.Psalms 22:26The meek shall eat and be satisfied: they shall praise the LORD that seek him: your heart shall live for ever.Psalms 22:29All they that be fat upon earth shall eat and worship: all they that go down to the dust shall bow before him: and none can keep alive his own soul.Matthew 26:13Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.
Historical Context
Jewish Passover was zikkaron (memorial)—not mere memory but covenant actualization. Each generation participated in the Exodus (Exodus 13:8: 'tell your son... what the Lord did for me'). Jesus reinterprets this: the Lord's Supper is Christian Passover, re-enacting and applying Christ's exodus from sin and death. Early Christians celebrated weekly (Acts 20:7), seeing the Table as central to Christian identity and worship. Paul's account emphasizes the meal's covenantal and memorial nature against Corinthian abuse.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean that Christ's body was broken 'for you'—how does substitutionary atonement shape your approach to the Table?
- How is 'remembrance' in the Lord's Supper different from ordinary memory—what does covenant renewal look like?
- How often should churches celebrate the Lord's Supper, and what theology of the Table shapes that frequency?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me—Εὐχαριστήσας (eucharistēsas, having given thanks)—the term from which "Eucharist" derives. Jesus thanked the Father for the bread that symbolized His impending death—stunning faith. Ἔκλασεν (eklasen, he broke) is symbolic: breaking bread pictures His body broken on the cross.
This is my body, which is broken for you—Τοῦτό μού ἐστιν τὸ σῶμα τὸ ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν. The verb "is" has generated centuries of debate (transubstantiation, consubstantiation, memorialism). Paul's focus is hyper hymōn (for you)—substitutionary atonement. Christ's body broken for us, in our place, bearing our judgment. This do in remembrance of me (τοῦτο ποιεῖτε εἰς τὴν ἐμὴν ἀνάμνησιν)—anamnēsis (remembrance) is more than mental recall; it's covenant renewal, re-presenting and participating in the reality of Christ's death. The Table makes the past sacrifice present to faith.