1 Corinthians 11:30
For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
Original Language Analysis
διὰ
For
G1223
διὰ
For
Strong's:
G1223
Word #:
1 of 11
through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional)
πολλοὶ
many
G4183
πολλοὶ
many
Strong's:
G4183
Word #:
5 of 11
(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely
ἀσθενεῖς
are weak
G772
ἀσθενεῖς
are weak
Strong's:
G772
Word #:
6 of 11
strengthless (in various applications, literal, figurative and moral)
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
7 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
καὶ
and
G2532
καὶ
and
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
9 of 11
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
Cross References
Revelation 3:19As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.Exodus 15:26And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.Amos 3:2You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.Numbers 20:12And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.1 Thessalonians 4:14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.Numbers 20:24Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.
Historical Context
Ancient readers wouldn't have been shocked by this connection. Greco-Roman religion featured divine retribution for cultic violations. Jewish theology connected covenant faithfulness with health/prosperity and covenant violation with sickness/death (Deuteronomy 28). Paul presents Christian version: the Table is covenant meal; abusing it brings covenant curses (temporal judgment). Early Christians took this seriously—church discipline included excommunication (removal from Table) to prevent judgment and restore sinners (1 Corinthians 5:5).
Questions for Reflection
- How should churches understand the connection between sin and sickness—when is sickness judgment versus ordinary suffering?
- What does Paul's teaching here reveal about the seriousness of the Lord's Supper and God's holiness?
- How can churches practice discipline and warning about the Table without becoming superstitious or legalistic?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep—Shocking assertion: divine judgment for Table abuse manifested physically. Διὰ τοῦτο (for this cause) links directly to unworthy eating (vv. 27-29). Πολλοὶ ἀσθενεῖς καὶ ἄρρωστοι (many weak and sickly)—physical illness, not spiritual weakness. Κοιμῶνται (sleep) is euphemism for death (John 11:11-14, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-15).
Paul connects sin with sickness and death—a controversial link. Not all sickness is judgment (John 9:3), but some is (Acts 5:1-11, Ananias and Sapphira; Acts 13:11, Elymas struck blind). The Corinthians' flagrant abuse of the Table—dividing the body, despising the poor, profaning Christ's sacrifice—brought covenantal judgment. This echoes Old Testament warnings about covenant violation (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Yet the judgment is disciplinary ('chastened,' v. 32), not retributive—God disciplines His children to prevent final condemnation.