How does 1 Corinthians 11:21 address selfishness during the Lord's Supper? Setting the Scene 1 Corinthians 11:21: “For as you eat, each of you proceeds with his own meal. One remains hungry, another gets drunk.” Selfishness Exposed at the Table • The Lord’s Supper was intended as a unifying remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. • Instead, some believers treated it like a private banquet—arriving early, eating their own food, and leaving nothing for others. • The contrast is stark: one brother is “hungry,” another is “drunk.” The disparity highlights raw self-interest. Why This Behavior Was Sinful • It violated the command to “love one another” (John 13:34). • It ignored the body-wide unity Paul emphasized: “Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body” (1 Corinthians 10:17). • It mocked the very meaning of communion—the shared participation (“koinōnia”) in Christ’s body and blood. Scripture’s Consistent Warning Against Self-Centeredness • Acts 2:44-46—early believers “had everything in common” and ate “with glad and sincere hearts.” • Philippians 2:3-4—“Do nothing out of selfish ambition… look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” • Galatians 5:13—“Serve one another in love.” • 1 John 3:17—love is proven by sharing resources with a brother in need. Consequences Paul Mentions Later in the Passage (vv. 29-30) • Eating “without recognizing the body” brings judgment. • Some in Corinth were “weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.” Physical discipline underscores the seriousness. Practical Takeaways for Today • Examine motives before taking the elements; ask, “Am I honoring Christ and my brothers?” • Arrive prepared to give—time, attention, encouragement, tangible help—rather than merely to receive. • Fellowship meals and church gatherings should showcase sharing, not showcasing. • Remember that communion proclaims the self-giving love of Jesus (v. 26); selfish participation contradicts the gospel we announce. Living the Lesson The Lord’s Table calls believers to reenact Christ’s self-sacrifice in community. 1 Corinthians 11:21 exposes any instinct to hoard, hurry, or ignore others. True communion replaces “my plate first” with Christlike generosity that feeds the hungry, restrains excess, and displays the unity of His body. |
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