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Propriety in Worship

The Lord’s Supper

1 Corinthians 11:1-34




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Propriety in Worship

The Lord’s Supper Text: 1 Corinthians 11:1-34, 1. Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2. Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 3. But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 4. Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. 5. But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. 6. For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 7. For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. 11. Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. 12. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. 13. Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?




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14. Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? 15. But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16. But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. 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. 18. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. 19. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20. When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. 21. For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. 22. What? Have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. 23. For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: 24. And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. 25. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me 26. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come. 27. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. 28. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.




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29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 32. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34. And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.

Introduction to Propriety in Worship I. The first paragraph in this chapter relates to the veiling of women (verses 1-16).

A. Coffman wrote, “Paul’s teaching here is invaluable and relevant to all generations with regard to the Christian’s relationship in which he lives.”

B. Coffman further wrote, “The word custom identifies the subject

under consideration as the customs of the times, and not as an apostolic treatise on what either men or women should wear in religious service.”

Commentary: 1 Corinthians 11:1, Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. I. Paul urged the Corinthians:

A. “Follow my example,




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B. as I follow the example of Christ.”

1. Colossians 3:17, And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,

do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

II. Do we follow Christ well enough to tell others with confidence to follow us as we follow Christ?

A. How does this compare with, “Don’t do as I do. Do as I say do?”

B. Do you agree that “pretty is as pretty does?”

1 Corinthians 11:2, Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you. I. Paul praised the Corinthians.

A. Paul began this paragraph with praise, tact and courtesy.

B. Commendation of others is often rare, but a beneficial approach to cement relationships.

C. Often criticism and fault finding are too frequently heard to the

disruption of relationships.

D. Paul certainly could have faulted the Corinthians, but he began with praise.

II. Remembering him in everything and . . . III. For holding to the teachings, traditions, ordinances . . .




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A. These traditions, teachings were direct teachings of Christ and the apostles as guided by the Holy Spirit.

B. Human traditions are not binding on Christians.

IV. Just as Paul had passed them on to the Corinthian Christians.

A. The Corinthians had in general kept these instructions, but corruptions had crept into their worship.

B. Paul is writing now to correct the problems which existed.

1 Corinthians 11:3, But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. I. Paul said, “I want you to realize . . .

A. Paul now directs his attention to:

1. the behavior of women in worship.

2. the relationship of man and woman. II. The head of every man is Christ, . . .

A. Every Christian man is subject to Christ. III. The head of the woman is man, . . .

A. A Christian woman is to be subject to her Christian husband.

B. Ephesians 5:22-33, Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the




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saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing. Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself: and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

C. Some in our society would discount these instructions.

IV. The head of Christ is God.

A. Philippians 2:6, Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

B. Order, unity is required for success in the family as well as in

the matter of human redemption.

C. Scriptures:

1. 1 Isaiah 42:1, Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.




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2. John 17:4, I have glorified thee on the earth; I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.

3. Isaiah 52:13, Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he

shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.

4. Hebrews 5:8, Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

5. Philippians 2:8, And being found in fashion as a man, he

humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

1 Corinthians 11:4, Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoreth his head. I. Every man who . . . II. Prays or prophesies. . . III. with his head covered, having something down from his head. . .

A. Coffman affirms that this refers to a man’s having long hair rather than to an artificial head covering.

B. Some believe Paul here referred to the tallith (shawl) or

yarmulke (skull cap) worn by Jewish male worshipers.

C. Men are not to cover their heads in worship either with hats or long hair.

IV. dishonors his head, Christ .




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1 Corinthians 11:5, But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven. I. Every woman . . . II. who prays or prophesies . . .

A. McGarvey believed this referred to “women when exercising the prophetic office in the church.”

B. Lipscomb disagreed with this position.

III. with her head uncovered, unveiled,

A. Coffman affirms that the covering referred to long hair rather than to a veil of cloth, etc.

B. Lipscomb and Shepherd assert, “ . . . this verse plainly shows

that the two veils – the natural hair and the veil with which the head was covered – are under consideration.”

IV. dishonors her head, her husband.

A. Pagan temple prostitutes cut their hair short.

B. For a Christian woman to cut her hair like a pagan temple prostitute certainly would dishonor her husband.

C. All Christians, men and women, are to dress and behave so as to

project purity and holiness. V. It is just as though her head were shaved.




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1 Corinthians 11:6, For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. I. If a woman does not cover her head, have her head veiled, II. she should have her hair cut off.

A. Evidently some of these Corinthian women had “adopted the chic hair-styles of the women of Aphrodite.” (Coffman.)

III. If it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut or shaved off,

A. A shaved female head was a sign of deep mourning or a penalty following conviction for adultery. (Coffman.)

B. Paul is saying that men and women are to keep the sexes

distinguishable.

1. Modesty and morality are to be preserved.

2. Deuteronomy 22:5, The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.

IV. She should cover her head. 1 Corinthians 11:7-9, For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. I. A man ought not to cover his head (by long hair or a veil) . . .




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A. Is this a universal injunction covering all time and all places, or

did it address only the first century and the Corinthian situation in particular?

B. Does this injunction relate to Corinthian culture or to the

original order of things? II. Because he is the image and glory of God.

A. Woman was taken out of man, man was not originally taken out of woman.

B. The woman was given to man, man was not given to woman.

C. The woman was created for man, man was not created for

woman.

D. The woman was intended for the glory of man, man was not intended for the glory of the woman.

E. God’s glory as revealed in man is not to be obscured by long

hair or a veil, covering. III. But the woman is the glory of the man.

A. Genesis 2:18-23, And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone. I will make him an help meet for him. And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air: and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that was the name thereof. And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall




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upon Adam, and he slept; and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.

IV. Man did not come from woman, but woman from man. V. Man was not created for woman, but woman was created for man. 1 Corinthians 11:10, For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels. I. Woman ought to have a sign of authority on her head because . . .

A. The phrase “a sign of” is not in the original text.

B. This verse should be read without this phrase.

C. Paul advised women not to cut their hair so as to diminish their beauty, glory, authority as women and so as not to imitate the appearance of temple prostitutes.

D. Why would women want to cut their hair so as to resemble men

when their hair was given them for their glory?

E. Head coverings are a token of female submission to man and God.

II. of the angels.

A. Angels who kept not their first estate lost heaven.

B. Women should keep their “first estate” as just outlined by Paul. III. Woman was created for man.




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A. Lipscomb and Shepherd state: “The meaning is, when she

comes to worship in prayer or praise, no matter whether she leads or not, she should be veiled.”

1 Corinthians 11:11, 12, Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord. For as the woman is of the man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. I. In the Lord . . .

A. “. . . by divine arrangement and direction the twain are one in the Lord.” Lipscomb and Shepherd.

II. Woman is not independent of man. III. Man is not independent of woman. IV. The woman came from man.

A. In original creation this was the case. V. Man is also born of woman.

A. This fact certainly should humble man who would not be alive without the woman.

VI. Everything comes from God.

A. Paul has outlined the creative order.

B. Paul now makes the point that men and women are interdependent, depend for existence on each other.




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C. Man is born of woman and both have life from God.

D. The ultimate dependence is on God “from whom all blessings flow.”

E. Man and woman should accept their relationships to each other

and to God. 1 Corinthians 11:13, Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered? I. Judge for yourselves.

A. What does propriety tell you in regard to these matters?

B. Paul contended that the truth of what he is saying was self-evident to all.

II. Is it proper for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered? . . . unveiled?

A. The clearly implied answer is an emphatic, “No!” B. Is the covering, veil understood to be the woman’s hair only as

given by nature, God for her glory or does it also include a cloth veil as well?

1 Corinthians 11:14, Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him? I. Doesn’t nature teach you . . .

A. Paul declared that nature, not custom, made this declaration. II. that if a man has long hair. . .




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III. it is a dishonor, a disgrace to him? IV. The nearly universal fact that in almost all societies men wear short hair and women wear longer hair evidences that this derives from nature itself, not merely human custom. 1 Corinthians 11:15, But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. I. If a woman has long hair, II. it is to her glory. III. Long hair is given to her as a covering.

A. The Emphatic Diaglott reads, “Her hair is given her instead of a veil.”

IV. Long hair was given woman at creation for her glory and as a symbol of her subjection to man.

A. When sin entered the world a second veil, paribolaian, a covering, a wrapper, thrown around, was added as a symbol of woman’s submission to man.

B. Scriptures:

1. 1 Timothy 2:11-14, Let the woman learn in silence with

all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.




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2. Genesis 3:16, Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.

3. 1 Peter 3:7, Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them

according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.

4. Ephesians 5:22-24, Wives submit yourselves unto your

own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.

C. Lipscomb and Shepherd stated, “Since it is a glory for woman

to wear a covering of hair which God gave her at creation instead of an artificial covering, she should wear also an artificial covering when she approaches God in prayer.”

1 Corinthians 11:16, But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the churches of God. I. If anyone wants to be contentious about this, . . . II. we have no such custom, other practice –

A. “The custom referred to must be women wearing short hair and approaching God in prayer with uncovered heads.” Lipscomb and Shepherd.

B. Paul had no such custom.




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III. Nor do the churches of God.

A. The churches in other places had no such custom. IV. Paul was saying (Coffman), “We do not intend to argue this question endlessly; the whole matter has already been solved by the type of behavior which marks God’s churches everywhere.”

A. Paul was concerned about:

1. the reputation, honor of the church in the community.

2. domestic harmony.

B. Paul advocated women having long hair and wearing a covering when praying and prophesying.

C. This was the first century custom. No other custom was

observed among the churches anywhere.

Conclusion to Propriety in Worship: I. In the Old Testament “to uncover the head” meant to shave the head.

A. Leviticus 10:1-7, And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp. So they




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went near, and carried them in their coats and out of the camp as Moses had said. And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord hath kindled. And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses.

B. Job 1:20, Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his

head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped. II. Christians are not to violate decent standards of conduct. III. What veils were customarily worn by women in that society?

A. Ruth 3:15, Also he said, Bring the veil that thou hast upon thee, and hold it, And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, ad laid it on her: and she went into the city.

B. Veils were large loose mantles which were wrapped around the

head and face, leaving only the eyes, sometimes only one eye, visible.

C. Such veils became signs of submission and modesty, but earlier

veils were the attire of harlots.

1. Genesis 38:14-16, And she put her widow’s garments off from her, and covered her with a veil, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife. When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face. And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to,




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I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter-in-law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?

IV. What led to the ambiguity found in this passage?

A. Customs of the middle ages?

B. Imprecise translations affected by established customs?

Introduction to the Lord’s Supper I. The Lord’s Supper was designed and ordained to be a solemn remembrance of the body and blood of Jesus the Christ observed by his followers in a setting of love and fellowship. Unfortunately many dissensions have arisen regarding the observance of Holy Communion.

A. Through many centuries the church observed Holy Communion daily or weekly, but many churches currently for a variety of reasons serve the Lord’s Supper much less often, frequently once a month or once a quarter.

1. The frequency of the observance of Communion has been

a serious concern among many Christians.

B. The Corinthians had wealthy and not so prosperous members in the church.

1. The wealthy used their gatherings for love feasts as

occasions of social snobbery.

2. The affluent met off to themselves for a fine meal while the poor went hungry.




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C. In the fourth century a controversy arose as to whether or not the bread and fruit of the vine literally become the body and blood of Christ in Holy Communion.

1. Transubstantiation continues to be a major tenet of Roman

Catholicism.

2. Protestant denominations believe the bread and fruit of the vine simply represent the body and blood of Christ.

3. John 6:53, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the

flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you.

4. Early Christians were sometimes accused of being

cannibals because of a misunderstanding of the meaning of the Lord’s Supper.

D. During the Protestant Reformation, Roman Catholics believed

merit accrued from taking communion and that this merit could be stored as dispensation for sins committed while Protestant Reformers considered communion as an indication of the Christians’ bond with God and their fellow disciples.

E. Differences of opinion have arisen regarding whether or not

communion should be closed (taken by members of each denomination while others are excluded) or open (taken by all believers regardless of denominational affiliation).

F. Some have made an issue of the posture of the Communicants,

whether kneeling, standing or sitting.

G. Some have taught that ancient liturgies must be used in conjunction with Communion in order to validate the observance of the Lord’s Supper.




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H. Intinction (dipping the bread in the wine) was roundly opposed

by many Protestants when this was introduced late this century.

I. Must Communion bread be unleavened? Must the wine be fermented or unfermented?

1. These questions have divided churches!

2. Must one cup (container) be used or are individual cups

acceptable?

3. Are both the bread and wine to be taken by Communicants, or is the bread to be served to the people while the wine is to be reserved for the “priests”?

4. Can any Christian consecrate the bread and wine or is this

function reserved for the “clergy”? II. What must Jesus think of all these questions when he prayed that all his followers should be one and that they should regularly remember him in Communion, in a simple memorial feast? 1 Corinthians 11:17, 18, Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. Note: Paul began this paragraph with no praise for the Corinthians. I. A love feast, a meal, usually preceded communion in the early church and was held in close proximity with the Lord’s Supper. II. These Corinthians had so corrupted worship that they were worse rather than better as a result of participating in worship and communion.




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III. Divisions in the church had invalidated their worship and communion. IV. The love feast/communion observance is reminiscent of the institution of the Lord’s Supper in the upper room at Passover. 1 Corinthians 11:19, For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. I. The factions in the church tested the faithful who showed their devotion to God in face of divisions. II. In times of trouble the faithful sons of God will shine even more brightly! 1 Corinthians 11:20, When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord’s supper. I. The confusion in the Corinthian worship made it most difficult, spiritually impossible to properly observe the Lord’s Supper. II. The abuses of the love feast which preceded Holy Communion were so grave that they prevented correct observance of communion. III. This is the only reference to “the Lord’s Supper” in the New Testament.

A. “Supper” has reference to the time communion was instituted, not to the time of day when it is to be commemorated.

1 Corinthians 11:21, For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.




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I. The rich brought bountiful provisions to the love feasts, but the rich did not share with the poor. II. Drunkenness and gluttony were prevalent in addition to the pitiless disregard of the poor and needy. III. Evidently some ate their love feasts, took the Lord’s Supper and left for home before others arrived for fellowship and worship. IV. The Lord’s Supper, Communion, Lord’s Table is also called the Eucharist from the Greek word for “giving thanks.”

A. Luke 22:17, 19, And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

B. 1 Corinthians 11:24, And when he gave thanks, he brake it, and

gave unto them saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.

1 Corinthians 11:22, What? Have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. I. Paul’s answer to this corruption was for everyone to eat at home and for Holy Communion to then be freed from the love feast abuses. II. This did not forbid pure love feasts and fellowship meals at church.

A. This was a solution to the abuses Paul had heard existed in Corinth.




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III. Another solution would have been for those who wee corrupting the worship to repent and change their ways! 1 Corinthians 11:23, For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: I. Paul had received by inspiration the record of the instituting of the Lord’s Supper on the night in which Jesus was betrayed. II. This is the fourth account in the New Testament of the institution of the Lord’s Supper. 1 Corinthians 11:24, And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. I. Jesus and we give thanks to God for the body of Christ broken on the cross.

A. He and we then symbolically “break the bread.” II. This we do in memory of Christ our Lord. 1 Corinthians 11:25, 26, After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord’s death till he come. I. The cup was given after the bread was broken, after supper, as confirmation that the disciples were to live under the new covenant sealed by the blood of Christ.




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II. Observance of Communion was to be in remembrance of Christ the Savior. III. As often as we take communion we proclaim our faith in the efficacy of Christ’s death and the certainty of his second coming. IV. “After supper” indicates that Holy Communion was instituted after the observance of the Passover meal.

A. Evidently the bread and cup were both given after the Passover meal.

B. The language could possibly indicate that the bread was given

before the Passover meal and the cup after the meal. V. “ . . . as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup” simply means that “everytime you eat the bread and drink the cup” we show forth the Lord’s death until he returns. VI. The Lord’s supper faces in two directions, back to calvary and forward to Christ’s second coming. 1 Corinthians 11:27, Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. I. Those who eat and drink in an unworthy manner, as the Corinthians were doing, become guilty of the body and blood of Christ; that is, participants in his crucifixion. II. This does not teach that communicants must be worthy to take the Lord’s Supper.

A. If this were so, none could ever take communion.




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III. We must take communion realizing the wondrous things it represents and our obligation to live solemnly in keeping with Christian principles. 1 Corinthians 11:28, 29, But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. I. If, when communing, we fail to discern the body and blood of Christ, we bring judgment/condemnation upon ourselves. II. We must respect both the literal and spiritual body of Christ, the church, when taking the Lord’s Supper. III. The Corinthians were certainly not respecting the church, the spiritual body of Christ, by their actions and attitudes. IV. Every Christian should be careful, after self-examination, that he takes communion in a solemn and sincere manner, never lightly, flippantly, nor insincerely. 1 Corinthians 11:30, For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. I. Because of a failure to properly observe Communion, many Corinthians had become spiritually weak, sickly and drowsy! II. Communion can be for good or ill, depending on the manner in which we take the Lord’s Supper.’ 1 Corinthians 11:31, 32, For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.




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I. If we carefully consider the manner in which we take communion, we receive blessings from this holy rite. II. If we fail to observe communion as we should, we are condemned.

A. God uses his condemnation to lead us into the spiritual way, not to destroy us.

1 Corinthians 11:33, Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. I. Christians were to be considerate of each other in regard to the love feast, communion and all other aspects of Christian living. II. This continues to be a need of Christians in every age.

A. We live in a most impatient world! 1 Corinthians 11:34, And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come. I. Paul advised that Christians who had been abusing the love feasts with carryover effects on observance of the Lord’s Supper eat at home before gathering/meeting so they could better concentrate on spiritual matters. II. The Corinthians were advised to take responsible steps to make worship and communing a beneficial rather than condemning experience. III. Some other things not covered in this epistle were wrong at Corinth.

A. Paul stated that he would deal with those matters when he came to Corinth the next time.




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Conclusion to the Lord’s Supper I. Institution of the Lord’s Supper.

A. Matthew 26:26-29, And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and give it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed of many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.

B. Mark 14:22-25, And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and

blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them and they drank all of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

C. Luke 22:19, 20, And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake

it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.

II. Communion is:

A. Retrospective

B. Prospective

C. Introspective




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D. Commemorative

E. Instructive

F. Corrective

G. Separative

H. Unifying

Credits and References

(1) Adult Bible Studies, Volume 31, Number 2. The United Methodist Publishing House, 201 Eighth Avenue, South, Nashville, TN 37202 (2) Holy Bible, King James Version, The American Bible Society, New York. (3) James Burton Coffman Commentaries on the New Testament, Volume 7. Used by permission. Copyright 1974, 1984. Abilene Christian University Press, Abilene, Texas 79601. (4) David Lipscomb and J.W. Shepherd, New Testament Commentaries, 1 Corinthians, Copyright 1989, Gospel Advocate Company, Nashville, Tennessee




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Questions

Corinthians 11:1-34 1. Coffman wrote, “The word _______________ identifies the subject under consideration (women being covered in worship) as the _____________________ of the __________________, and not as an _____________________ ______________________ on what either _____________________ or ____________________ should wear in _____________________ _____________________.” 2. Do you agree with Coffman’s view? _______________________ Give scriptural reasons for your position. ________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. What two subjects were addressed in 1 Corinthians 11? ___________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. Why did Paul praise the Corinthians in verse 2 and withhold praise in verse 17? __________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Do you feel confident in asking people to follow you as you follow Christ? _______________ Why or why not? _____________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. Are Christians to follow all traditions? _______________ If you answered negatively to this question, which traditions are Christians to follow and why are these to be followed while others are not to be observed? _________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 7. Paul directed his attention in verses 2-16 to (1) __________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ And to (2) _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ 8. The ____________________ of every ____________________ is _______________________, the head of the ____________________ is _______________________, and the _____________________ of _______________________ is ____________________. 9. Is the husband to always be the head of the house? _______________ If not, what exceptions are there to the principle that “the head of the woman is man?” ____________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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10. Is it right for a woman to be president of the country? _______________ CEO of a company employing five hundred men? Explain your answer. ________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 11. Why does it dishonor Christ to pray or prophesy with long hair or while otherwise having his head covered? ________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12. Why does a woman’s praying or prophesying with her head uncovered dishonor her husband? ______________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13. Why was it a disgrace for a woman to have her head shaved? Was a shaved head equal to an unveiled head? __________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 14. Are Paul’s instructions in verses 2-16 universal injunctions covering all time and places or did they address only the first century and the Corinthian situation in particular? Explain your answer. ____________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. Lipscomb and Shepherd stated: “The meaning is, when she comes to worship in prayer or praise, no matter whether she leads or not, she should be veiled.” Is it permissible for veiled Christian women to “take the lead” in prayer and praise in worship? _______________ Explain your answer. _______________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 16. How are, according to Paul, man and woman interdependent? _____ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 17. Should women have their heads covered when they pray or prophesy in worship today? ___________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 18. Long hair is woman’s _______________ and a _______________ of her _______________ to _______________. Is it wrong for men to wear long hair and for a woman to wear very short hair? ____________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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19. Paul said he and the churches of God had no other custom than what? _____________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 20. Give a brief summary of veils in the Old Testament. _____________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 21. Must women wear veils in worship today? _______________ Explain your answer. ________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 22. The _______________’s _______________ was _______________ and _______________ to be a _______________ _______________ of the _______________ and _______________ of _______________ the _______________ observed by his _______________ in a setting of _______________ and _______________. 23. Historically when has the Lord’s Supper been observed by various churches? _________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24. What is transubstantiation? Is this a scriptural belief? ___________




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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 25. What is open communion? What is closed communion? Are both scriptural? Why or why not? __________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 26. What is intinction? Is this a scriptural way to take communion? Explain carefully. ___________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 27. Must the communion bread be unleavened? Must the communion wine be fermented? Be consistent in your answer. Support your answer with scripture. ______________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 28. Why did Paul not praise the Corinthians in regard to communion? __ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 29. What is a love feast? Have you ever been present for a love feast?




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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 30. What abuses did the Corinthians commit in regard to observance of communion and love feasts? ___________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 31. What is the eucharist? What does the word mean? ______________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 32. How serious is it to take the cup of the Lord unworthily? Who is worthy to take communion? ___________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 33. How can communion be taken unworthily, in an unworthy manner? ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 34. Why were many Christians at Corinth weak, sickly and asleep? What treatment did they need to cure their illness? _________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________




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____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 35. Does verse 34 forbid “dinners on the grounds,” church meals? Why or why not? ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 36. What must Jesus think of all the confusion and division which have swirled around the Lord’s Supper? ______________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 37. Describe the events surrounding the institution of the Lord’s Supper. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 38. What does the communion bread represent? ___________________ What does the cup represent ?__________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 39. How many cups did Jesus use when he instituted the Lord’s Supper? ______________ How many cups do we use when we serve communion? _______________________________________________ 40. Is there a problem with this? Why or why not? _________________




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________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 41. Communion is ____________________, __________________, ________________, ____________________, ____________________, ________________, ____________________, ____________________.


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