1 Corinthians 11:24
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Corinthians 11:24
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.
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 11 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of holiness, obedience, judgment. Written during Paul's third missionary journey (c. 55 CE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: The church existed in a prosperous, cosmopolitan, morally permissive Roman colony.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-34: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within 1 Corinthians and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
1 Corinthians 11:24
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.
Analysis
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.
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.
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?
Cross-References
- Related: Song of Solomon 1:4, 5:1
- Parallel theme: Exodus 12:14, Psalms 22:26, 22:29, 111:4, Proverbs 9:5, Isaiah 25:6