How does 1 Corinthians 11:30 relate to the importance of self-examination before Communion? Setting the Scene The Lord’s Supper was being treated casually in Corinth. Believers were eating and drinking “in an unworthy manner,” failing to “discern the body” of Christ (1 Colossians 11:27, 29). Verse 30 then records the divine response: “That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.” God’s discipline was immediate, physical, and unmistakable. What Verse 30 Teaches • Communion carries real spiritual weight. • Irreverence can lead to tangible consequences—weakness, sickness, even physical death (“fallen asleep”). • The Lord actively safeguards the holiness of His table. Why Self-Examination Matters 1. Prevents judgment • “If we judged ourselves properly, we would not come under judgment” (1 Colossians 11:31). 2. Honors Christ’s sacrifice • Remembering the broken body and shed blood (1 Colossians 11:24-25) deserves sober reflection, not flippancy. 3. Preserves church health • The Corinthian example shows that unconfessed sin can infect the whole assembly with weakness. Related Scriptures • 2 Corinthians 13:5 — “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” • Psalm 139:23-24 — David models heartfelt self-searching. • Lamentations 3:40 — “Let us examine and test our ways.” • 1 John 1:9 — Confession brings cleansing and restores fellowship. • Hebrews 12:6-11 — Divine discipline proves sonship and yields righteousness. Practical Steps for Today • Pause before the elements; invite the Spirit to spotlight hidden sin. • Confess specifically, repenting where conviction falls. • Reaffirm faith in Christ’s finished work; rest in His cleansing. • Approach the table with gratitude and reverence, remembering the cost. • Maintain ongoing self-examination beyond Communion, cultivating a lifestyle of holiness. Encouragement to Approach the Table Worthily The warning of 1 Corinthians 11:30 is not meant to drive believers away but to draw them near in purity. When hearts are laid open before the Lord, the Supper becomes a joyful proclamation “…until He comes” (1 Colossians 11:26). The very discipline that once fell on Corinth teaches the church today to treasure Christ, discern His body, and celebrate the covenant in a manner worthy of the gospel. |
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