1 Corinthians 11:17
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
1 Corinthians 11:17
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
Chapter Context
1 Corinthians 11 is a pastoral epistle chapter in the New Testament that explores themes of obedience, fellowship, salvation. 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 contributes to the biblical metanarrative of redemption. 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 11:17
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
Analysis
Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse—Sharp pivot from head coverings to the Lord's Supper. Οὐκ ἐπαινῶ (I praise not) contrasts with 11:2 ("I praise you"). Paul's tone hardens because the Corinthians' abuse of the Table is more severe than head-covering confusion. Συνέρχομαι (synerchomai, come together) repeats five times (vv. 17, 18, 20, 33, 34)—corporate gathering is central to Paul's concern.
Not for the better, but for the worse (οὐκ εἰς τὸ κρεῖττον ἀλλὰ εἰς τὸ ἧττον)—their assemblies were spiritually harmful, not edifying. This is devastating—worship should build up the body (14:26), but Corinthian practice was tearing it down. The comparative (better/worse) implies worship has directionality: it either forms Christlikeness or deforms it. Neutral worship doesn't exist. The Corinthian abuse of the Table—class divisions, drunkenness, gluttony (vv. 21-22)—made gatherings occasions for sin, not sanctification.
Historical Context
The early church celebrated the Lord's Supper within a communal meal called the agape feast (love feast, Jude 12). Wealthier members brought abundant food and wine; poorer members (slaves, laborers) arrived late and hungry. Instead of sharing resources, the rich ate and drank luxuriously while the poor went hungry—blatant class discrimination. This violated the gospel's leveling power (Galatians 3:28, James 2:1-9) and profaned the Table, which symbolizes Christ's broken body given for all equally.
Reflection
- How can corporate worship become spiritually harmful rather than edifying?
- What modern parallels exist to Corinthian class divisions at the Table (segregated services, exclusive membership, economic stratification)?
- How should churches examine whether their gatherings are 'for the better' or 'for the worse'?
Cross-References
- Resurrection: 1 Corinthians 11:2, 11:22, 1 Peter 2:14
- Parallel theme: 1 Corinthians 14:23, Leviticus 19:17, Hebrews 10:25