Abuses at the Lord’s Supper

¹⁷ Now in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. ¹⁸ For, to begin with, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it.^{(A) 19} Indeed, there have to be factions among you, for only so will it become clear who among you are genuine.^{(B) 20} When you come together, it is not really to eat the Lord’s supper. ²¹ For when the time comes to eat, each of you proceeds to eat your own supper, and one goes hungry and another becomes drunk. ²² What! Do you not have households to eat and drink in? Or do you show contempt for the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What should I say to you? Should I commend you? In this matter I do not commend you!

Partaking of the Supper Unworthily

²⁷ Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be answerable for the body and blood of the Lord.^{(A) 28} Examine yourselves, and only then eat of the bread and drink of the cup.^{(B) 29} For all who eat and drink^[a] without discerning the body^[b] eat and drink judgment against themselves. ³⁰ For this reason many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.^{[c] 31} But if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged.^{(C) 32} But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined^[d] so that we may not be condemned along with the world.^(D)

³³ So then, my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for one another. ³⁴ If you are hungry, eat at home,^[e] so that when you come together, it will not be for your condemnation. About the other things I will give instructions when I come.^(E)