Exploring Corinthians #19

For Better or For Worse

Last week we discussed Traditions in the church and how we often allow customs and culture to dictate what we think are honorable traditions.

Today we will look at one of the honorable traditions that the church of Corinth had made a mockery of.

Let’s look at our text for today:

Have you ever

1 Corinthians 11:17–22 NKJV

17 Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse. 18 For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you. 20 Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper. 21 For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I do not praise you.

Have you ever been to church and asked, “Why bother anyway?”. I mean why do I even go to church? That is what Paul is dealing with here. The Corinthian church had somehow made church attendance damaging to its parishioners instead of an encouragement.

Church had become a mortuary instead of a hospital.

They had begun to treat people with partiality as if they were some sort of social club.

In verse 17 Paul challenges the church and strips them of any praise they thought was owed to them by their selfish ambitions and practices.

He said that their church services weren’t doing good but instead they were causing damage to the body.

Sometimes those of us who are spiritual need to be reminded that just because we think something doesn’t make it right.

In verse 18 The first thing Paul addresses is the divisions among the body.

Some might assume that this word “Divisions” implies different mindsets or opinions over spiritual matters. But it actually implies a bigger problem.

The religious leaders had placed people in different social groups by their wealth or education…etc…

Paul said that he didn’t wholly believe the accusations he had heard. Which alludes to how atrocious the concept of dividing the people of God by social stature really was.

In verse 19 at fist glance this verse seems to support factions (cliques) but if you read the content of this verse it is more likely that he is condemning their actions.

He said “For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.”

Most people think Paul is admonishing the concept of Christian believers from those who haven’t put their faith in Christ, but that thought process makes no sense to me. I believe Paul is pointing out their logic as to why they think they need to be divided.

We need not be recognized but instead to make others recognize Jesus Christ.

Therefore when you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord’s Supper.