03-07-2021 The LORD's Supper

1 Corinthians 10:14–22 ESV

14 Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. 16 The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel: are not those who eat the sacrifices participants in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be participants with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

The “THEREFORE” shows that Temptation of v. 13 is used to Draw a Conclusion - v. 14 - FLEE FROM IDOLATRY

v. 15. - Paul Now appeals to “wise men...” In other words, Listen and make a decision...

vv. 16-17 - ESV/NIV cup of “thanksgiving” [elogia]; Others = “cup of blessing which we bless” eulogia / eulogew The cup that is “well spoken of” is to be “praised” The idea is that the “cup” is filled with “blessing”

ESV,NIV = participation, but the word is koinonia (key word of the entire section) - meaning what we have in COMMON or IN FELLOWSHIP (communion) with Christ so this would read for us:

“The cup of blessing/the cup representing what is worthy which we bless/praise”; We are **not** participating in the re-killing of Jesus, nor are we “drinking His blood” but we who are believers have HIS BLOOD in common/fellowship

and Paul clearly spiritualizes “bread” in v. 17 to be Christ (see John 6:35-36) and thus since believers all partake of Christ we are “one body” a concept that he writes in Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 12:12, 12:17; Ephesians 4:4 and Colossians 3:15 - Note the word “partake” in v. 17 means to share, have in common, particularly to eat together and enjoy something together...

In verse 18 - He then looks back to Israel to help us see the example - The Word “partakers” is “koinonos” the same word used in verse 16…

This flows OUT of v. 13 “the temptation” we are not to bring our sin into participation with the LORD’s Supper...

Christian - fellowship with Christ in bread and cup

JoyRiding / Driver of Getaway car / Helping someone cheat

OT Priest - fellowship with God, and fellowship with brethren as they eat the priest’s portion

Verses 19-22 Pagan or Unknowing Christian participate in doctrines of and worship of demons (including sins of Corinth pagan worship) when they bring sin into the LORD’s supper

Likewise, observation of pagan ritual feasts AND the Lord’s Supper were INCOMPATIBLE

1 Corinthians 11:27–31 ESV

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 31 But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.