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"I do not praise you..."

Text: 1 Corinthians 11:17

THE LORD’S SUPPER

Paul had already written about the Lord’s Supper earlier (1 Corinthians 10:14-22). He had to address certain problems that arose from the actual practice of celebrating the Lord’s Supper in the Corinthian church community.

“Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you,
since you come together not for the better but for the worse.
For first of all, when you come together as a church,
I hear that there are some divisions among you,
and in part I believe it.
For there must also be factions among you,
that those who are approved may be recognised among you.”
1 Corinthians 11:17-19

1. “Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you”

a) This was a candid and honest statement.

b) These words of instructions were not written in praise but reproof.

2. “Since you come together not for the better but for the worse”

a) This was with reference to the worship service.

b) Coming together to worship should result in something good and positive.

c) But this did not turn out to be the case.

3. “Divisions among you”

a) This was reported by Chloe’s household (1 Corinthians 1:11).

b) Some of the problems that caused the divisions were addressed (1 Corinthians 1-2).

c) The Corinthian church seemed to be riddled with problems.

d) Here was another one that Paul had to address.

4. Did Paul believe the reports given to him?

a) Yes!

b) Thus, he sought to address these problems.

5. Factions

a) The factions were mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1.

b) There were people who wanted to be recognised.

c) They wanted to be among the “approved”.

d) They were conscious of their “social standing” even in the context of the church.

e) This problem was thorny and divisive and had to be addressed firmly.