What does "humiliate those who have nothing" reveal about early church practices? The Situation in Corinth • In the first-century church, the Lord’s Supper was usually celebrated within a full fellowship meal (often called an “agapé feast”). • Wealthier believers supplied more and could arrive earlier; laborers and slaves often came late, bringing little or nothing. • 1 Corinthians 11:20-22 records that the rich were “getting drunk” while “one remains hungry,” leading Paul to ask, “Do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing?” What “humiliate those who have nothing” Reveals • Social stratification still lingered inside the fellowship; unchecked, it surfaced even at the Lord’s Table. • The meal was meant to picture unity in Christ, yet the Corinthian practice exposed selfishness and class prejudice. • Early gatherings lacked strict scheduling or centralized distribution, so without intentional love the strong could dominate the setting. • Public shaming happened in real time: the poor arrived to find empty plates and half-empty wine jugs, spotlighting their lack. How the Meal Was Supposed to Look • Acts 2:44-47; 4:32-35 show believers “had all things in common” and “distributed to anyone as he had need.” • 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 calls the cup and bread a “participation” that makes many “one body.” • The oneness symbolized in the elements demanded practical oneness in sharing food, time, and honor. Related Warnings and Encouragements • James 2:1-7 condemns favoritism toward the rich in worship. • Galatians 3:28 proclaims no Jew/Greek, slave/free, male/female in Christ—unity trumps status. • Philippians 2:3-4 urges believers to “consider others more important than yourselves.” Early-Church Correctives Paul Gives 1. Eat ordinary meals at home if hunger drives behavior (1 Colossians 11:22). 2. Wait for one another so all may partake together (v. 33). 3. Examine oneself, discerning the body, lest judgment follow (v. 28-29). What This Tells Us about Early Church Practice • Communal meals were integral to worship, not optional. • The church was expected to model economic equality during those meals. • Loving oversight was necessary; apostolic instruction quickly confronted abuses. • The spiritual significance of the Lord’s Supper required tangible hospitality. Timeless Application • Gathering habits must reflect gospel unity, not societal pecking orders. • Material resources are tools for honoring, never shaming, fellow believers. • Vigilance against subtle class distinctions remains essential whenever the church “comes together.” |
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