Time is a great tester and the assembly at Corinth had drifted. Much had to be corrected, but first the Apostle praises that which he could. The brethren had kept the ordinances or traditions as he verbally delivered them. In writing to them, we now have the ordinances written down as Scripture. The proper order of man and woman is brought before us, both being created by God. It is clear that the custom among the early believers was to act in the same manner, all behaving in a way that would please the Lord as the Apostle taught them.
But the enemy was active. He did not like to see these believers going on so happily, so he stirred up trouble. Some of them had more than others and did not share what they had. When they came together, some were hungry and others were drunken. It was shameful for them to behave like this, forgetting that they were in the Lord’s presence. Paul reminds them of the solemnity of coming together to remember the Lord Jesus. What occurred in the upper room the night of Jesus’ betrayal was given to Paul by inspiration. The Lord took the bread, gave thanks, and then broke it. That bread represented His body, given for them. The cup of wine was a picture of His blood shed for them. What a blessed reminder of His death for us “till He come”! Before we partake of this memorial, we should examine our lives, and if we are going on with anything dishonoring to the Lord, confess it. If we don’t, we will be judged by the Lord, because as His children we are loved too much to be allowed to go our own way without discipline.
1. In what things could the Apostle praise the brethren in Corinth, besides their remembering him? __________ 1 Corinthians 11:___
2. Was it the practice for the churches to be contentious? __________ 1 Corinthians 11:___
3. When they came together, it was not for the better because what existed among them? __________ 1 Corinthians 11:___
4. After the Lord Jesus had given thanks for the bread, what did He say that it represented? __________ 1 Corinthians 11:___
5. Why are we judged and chastened of the Lord? __________ 1 Corinthians 11:___