How Do We View Authority Today? 1 Corinthians 11

Correcting an Abuse of the Lord’s Supper

17 In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18 In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19 No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20 So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21 for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22 Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!

In chapter 11, Paul deals with the issue of authority and order in the church.  In the beginning of the chapter, he talks about the authority of God and also the authority of men and women.  There are lots of challenging aspects of these passages as it relates to man's authority over a woman and how a man honors a woman. It is important to understand the context of these verses in Paul's days but also not to water it down just because of the way our society views this today.  

But suffice it to say Paul is a big fan of authority as it relates to our ultimate authority God.  Even within the Trinity, Jesus acknowledges the authority the Father has over him during his earthly life.  Everything he did was in obedience and out of respect for His Father's authority. We know the Father and Son are both equally God, but there is still order within the Trinity.  

In our society today there is a big breakdown in our sense of authority.  The authority traditional authority figures such as parents, teachers, police officers and government officers has been questioned and threatened.  Though some this issue is due to the unfortunate ways some of these leaders have exerted their authority, we might say we have thrown the "baby out with the bathwater".  Just because a specific leader misuses their authority does not mean the position of authority should be eliminated.  The current treatment of our police officers is a good example of this.  Though a few officers have abused their authority and acted sinfully in their use of force, it shouldn't take away from the authority of other law abiding police offers who serve and protect us.

Then Paul turns to the issue of Communion.  In essence this issue is about authority as well.  The authority of Jesus' body and blood, which is at the center of Holy Communion.  First, it is important to note that when the early church gathered for Holy Communion, they also had a meal together, much like our modern day potluck.  But what was happening is that certain families were eating and drinking and not even being cognizant of others in the community.  In Jesus' day usually the more wealth you had, the more food you had both in quantity and quality.  But those who were better off started eating and drinking before the poorer families came to the gathering.  Paul sees this as very selfish and not becoming of the purpose of the gathering, which was to honor the Lord Jesus Christ.  

23 For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25 In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26 For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

Paul then reminds them of the center and essence of their gathering which was to partake of the Lord's Supper together.  Jesus often ate with his disciples, and it was in conjunction of the Passover Supper that he said these words to His disciples.  When Paul says, "He received from the Lord what I passed on to you", he could have meant from the teaching of the other apostles, or from Luke, who was his traveling companion.   Importantly Jesus says, "This is my body" and "This is my blood".  There have been many differing theological points of view on what it means for Jesus to be present when we celebrate Holy Communion.  Catholics think it is the literal body and blood of Christ which is present.  This is called "transubstantiation", or that the elements of bread and wine are literally transformed into Jesus' ACTUAL body and blood.  Martin Luther, during in the Reformation period in the 16th century, interpreted this to mean what he called "consubstantiation".  This mean Jesus was "in, with and under the elements".  Luther believed Jesus was "truly present" becuase he said, "This is my body" but he didn't try to explain how that happens.  Importantly he taught it is by faith we receive the presence of Christ's body and blood, and we receive all of the benefits of Christ's presence, most importantly forgiveness and eternal life.  Finally, Paul says that whenever we gather, we should proclaim or preach Christ's death until he returns in great and promised glory.

27 So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. 29 For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. 32 Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.33 So then, my brothers and sisters, when you gather to eat, you should all eat together. 34 Anyone who is hungry should eat something at home, so that when you meet together it may not result in judgment.And when I come I will give further directions. 

Paul concludes with teaching on how we should prepare ourselves to receive Holy Communion.  He says we should do that in a "worthy manner".  We know that only Jesus can make us worthy to receive His body and blood.  So it is not about anything we DO to make ourselves worthy to receive Communion.  It is when we feel unworthy that we need Christ the most.  But at the same time we should examine ourselves.  If we come to communion with sin in our lives and have no desire to repent from our behavior, we are not eating and drinking the Lord's supper in a worthy manner. Why?  Because it is as if we are saying, "Jesus i am receiving your body and blood which gives me the forgiveness of all my sin, but I am going to sin as much as I want because you will always forgive me anyways."  You can see why that is an unworthy manner to remember our Lord and what He has done for us.  

What do you think about our view of authority today and how it reflects in the way we treat authority figures?  Why and how does all authority come from God and how does that affect the way we should view it?  Do you think Communion as we practice it today is in alignment with Paul's teaching to the Corinthians?  How could you take Holy Communion more seriously in your own life? How do you prepare for Holy Communion each week before you receive it?