The Lord's Supper (Communion)
Origin
The Lord's Supper was instituted by Jesus Christ on the night He was betrayed, during the Passover meal.
Key Scripture:
Matthew 26:26-28
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave 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 for many for the remission of sins.
This event is also recorded in Mark 14:22-24 and Luke 22:19-20.
Purpose of the Lord's Supper
a. Remembrance of Christ's Sacrifice
Jesus explicitly said that the bread and cup were to be taken in remembrance of me.
Luke 22:19
...this is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
1 Corinthians 11:24-25
...this do in remembrance of me.
b. Proclaiming the Lord's Death
Taking communion is a testimony that proclaims Jesus' sacrificial death until He returns.
1 Corinthians 11:26
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
c. Participation in the New Testament (Covenant)
Jesus refers to the cup as my blood of the new testament.
Matthew 26:28
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
The new testament is a new covenant between God and man, sealed by Jesus' blood.
Symbolism in Communion
Bread = Christ's body, broken for us ( Matthew 26:26, 1 Corinthians 11:24 )
Cup (wine) = Christ's blood, shed for the remission of sins ( Matthew 26:28 )
The symbols are not literal transformations, but representations to help believers spiritually participate in the benefits of Christ's death.
1 Corinthians 10:16
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
Expectations of Jesus Regarding Communion
a. For His Disciples
Jesus instituted it with His disciples and instructed them to do it in remembrance of Him.
Luke 22:19
...this do in remembrance of me.
b. For Believers Now
The Apostle Paul, writing by the Lord's command, passed on this practice to the churches, indicating it is to be continued.
1 Corinthians 11:23
For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you...
1 Corinthians 11:26
...till he come.
This shows it is to continue until Christ's return.
Requirements and Warnings
The Lord's Supper is not to be taken lightly or irreverently.
a. Self-Examination is Required
1 Corinthians 11:28
But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
b. Unworthy Participation is Dangerous
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.
1 Corinthians 11:29
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
The word damnation here means judgment (Greek: krima), and Paul elaborates:
1 Corinthians 11:30
For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
Sleep here refers to death (as in John 11:11-14). This shows there can be physical consequences for irreverent communion.
The Heart Behind Communion
The Lord's Supper is not merely a ritual; it is a spiritual act of worship. It involves:
Remembrance ( Luke 22:19 )
Thankfulness ( Matthew 26:27 )
Unity with Christ and His Body ( 1 Corinthians 10:17 )
Self-Examination ( 1 Corinthians 11:28 )
Expectation of Christ's Return ( 1 Corinthians 11:26 )
Communion and Fellowship with Others
a. Unity of the Body of Christ
1 Corinthians 10:17
For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.
b. Correcting Abuse of the Supper
Some in Corinth were treating it as a common meal, causing division and selfishness.
1 Corinthians 11:21-22
For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in?
Paul warns that such behavior despises the church of God ( v. 22 ).
Frequency of Communion
No specific interval is commanded. Paul says:
1 Corinthians 11:26
For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup...
This leaves the frequency open, but implies ongoing observance.
Communion Is for Believers
The New Testament does not record unbelievers partaking. The focus is on those who:
Believe in Christ
Understand the meaning of His sacrifice
Examine themselves
Participate reverently
Summary Table
| Aspect | Scripture (KJV) | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Institution | Matthew 26:26-28 | Jesus begins the practice during Passover |
| Purpose | 1 Cor 11:24-26 | Remembrance of Christ, proclamation of His death |
| Symbolism | 1 Cor 10:16; 11:24-25 | Bread = body, Cup = blood |
| Ongoing | 1 Cor 11:26 | ...till he come |
| Self-Examination | 1 Cor 11:28 | Required before partaking |
| Warning | 1 Cor 11:27-30 | Unworthy participation brings judgment |
| Unity | 1 Cor 10:17 | One body, one bread |
| Not a Common Meal | 1 Cor 11:21-22 | Not for selfish eating or drunkenness |
The Word 'Communion' Itself: Koinōnia (Greek)
The English word communion translates primarily from the Greek word κοινωνία (koinōnia), which appears many times in the New Testament.
Core Meaning:
Koinōnia means sharing, fellowship, participation, or partnership. It carries the idea of having something in common - not merely being together, but being united in purpose, spirit, and possession.
Etymology:
From koinos = common or shared. So koinōnia literally means a common union - the root of our English communion.
Scriptural Uses of Koinōnia
The Bible uses koinōnia in several key contexts:
a. Fellowship with God
That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship (koinōnia) with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
- 1 John 1:3
Here, communion means spiritual relationship - the believer's sharing in the life of God through Christ.
b. Fellowship with Other Believers
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship (koinōnia), and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
- Acts 2:42
This is the early church's unity - believers sharing faith, resources, and daily life together.
c. Sharing in Christ's Sufferings
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship (koinōnia) of his sufferings.
- Philippians 3:10
Here, communion is identification - participating in Christ's experience, even in suffering, as part of His body.
d. Financial Sharing
For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution (koinōnia) for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.
- Romans 15:26
Even giving is called communion - because it is the sharing of material blessings as an expression of spiritual unity.
e. The Lord's Supper
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion (koinōnia) of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion (koinōnia) of the body of Christ?
- 1 Corinthians 10:16
This is the most familiar use - the Lord's Supper, where believers symbolically and spiritually share in the life and sacrifice of Christ, and with one another as His body.
The Deeper Meaning
So, biblically speaking, communion is not a ritual by itself - it is a state of shared participation:
With God: through Christ's Spirit and sacrifice.
With one another: as members of the same spiritual body.
In purpose and love: reflecting God's unity and grace.
It is both vertical (between God and man) and horizontal (between believers).
The English Connection
The English word communion comes from the Latin communio, from communis (common, shared). This reinforces the same meaning: a common union - sharing life, purpose, and relationship.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Greek Word / Verse | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Fellowship with God | 1 John 1:3 | Sharing in divine life through Christ |
| Fellowship with believers | Acts 2:42 | Unity and shared life in the church |
| Sharing in suffering | Phil. 3:10 | Participating in Christ's mission |
| Financial sharing | Rom. 15:26 | Material generosity as fellowship |
| Lord's Supper | 1 Cor. 10:16 | Spiritual participation in Christ's body and blood |
In Essence, Communion means:
To share in the life, love, and purpose of God and His people.
It is not merely a ritual - it is the living relationship that ritual expresses. When believers take the bread and cup, they affirm:
- Unity with Christ in His death and resurrection.
- Unity with one another as His body.
- Ongoing participation in His life and mission.
1 Corinthians 11:28-29 - Why is self-examination commanded?
Let's take a close, Scripture-anchored look at 1 Corinthians 11:28-29, both in its immediate context and in the light of Jesus' words in Luke 22:19.
The Text and Context
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.
In Corinth, believers were gathering for the Lord's Supper in a divisive, careless, and self-centered way. Some were eating and drinking excessively while others went hungry (see 20–22). Paul rebukes them because the meal had lost its sacred focus: it was no longer in remembrance of Christ but had become about themselves. So, Paul instructs: Let a man examine himself. This was meant to restore reverence and re-center the heart on Jesus' sacrifice.
The Word 'Examine' - Dokimazetō
The Greek verb δοκιμαζέτω (dokimazetō) means to test, prove, or scrutinize for genuineness - as when testing metal for purity. Thus, Paul isn't telling believers to find fault with themselves, but to honestly assess the sincerity and alignment of their hearts before participating in the Lord's Supper.
What the Self-Examination Is Not:
- It is not a morbid introspection to see whether we are good enough to partake.
- It is not a shift of focus away from Christ toward self-condemnation.
- It is not a ritual of self-criticism to earn worthiness. That would contradict the very foundation of grace.
What It Is - A Heart Alignment with Christ
Examine yourself means to measure your heart against the purpose of the Supper:
- Are you discerning the Lord's body - recognizing that His death is what unites believers as one body?
- Are you approaching the table with gratitude, reverence, and love for Christ and for His people?
- Are you harboring sin, bitterness, or division that contradicts the unity His body represents?
Comparison with Luke 22:19
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.
- Luke 22:19
Jesus established communion as an act of remembrance - a deliberate recalling of His body and blood given for us. Paul's command to examine yourself does not oppose this; it prepares the heart to remember rightly. To do this in remembrance requires a clear, humble, and thankful heart - not distracted by pride, quarrels, or unrepented sin. Self-examination simply clears away what would obstruct genuine remembrance.
The Focus of Communion
| Focus | Description | Supporting Verse |
|---|---|---|
| Vertical | Reflecting on Christ's sacrifice - gratitude, awe, dependence. | Luke 22:19; 1 Cor 11:24 |
| Horizontal | Reflecting on our unity with fellow believers - humility, love, reconciliation. | 1 Cor 10:16–17; 11:29 |
| Internal | Examining our motives, faith, and repentance - sincerity before God. | 1 Cor 11:28 |
The Outcome Paul Desired
Paul's concern was not to discourage participation, but to prevent careless participation.
And so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
Notice Paul still urges them to partake - after examination. The goal is restored fellowship, not exclusion.
Examination → repentance → renewed remembrance → joyful participation.
Summary
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is this about appreciating what Christ has done? | Yes - examination ensures we approach the Table with genuine gratitude and reverence. |
| Does it shift focus to self instead of Christ? | No - it's a momentary inward check to remove obstacles that keep us from seeing Christ clearly. |
| What does examine really mean? | To test one's heart for sincerity, humility, and discernment of the Lord's body - ensuring that our participation reflects His holiness and love. |
Final Thoughts
The Lord's Supper is a holy ordinance rooted in Jesus' own words and reinforced by apostolic teaching. It is an act of remembrance, fellowship, and spiritual reflection, meant to unite believers and keep the cross of Christ central in our faith. It must never be entered lightly but reverently, with honest self-examination and grateful hearts.