Unworthy Communion in St. Paul

[philipmarus]

I had a Protestant friend argue against the Catholic undersatnding on Communion over Paul’s teaching 1 Cor 11:27:

“Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord”

My friend claims in his argument that this verb being adverb means only they were comming to communion in
irrevelavant manner such as being drunk, gluttony and is not about being free from sin. He further argues that the whole context of
Paul’s writing about the manner (outward respect) of receiving communion. What does anyone think of this.

 

[Catholic_Dude]

I had a Protestant friend argue against the Catholic undersatnding on Communion over Paul’s teaching 1 Cor 11:27:

“Therefore, whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord”

My friend claims in his argument that this verb being adverb means only they were comming to communion in
irrevelavant manner such as being drunk, gluttony and is not about being free from sin. He further argues that the whole context of Paul’s writing about the manner (outward respect) of receiving communion. What does anyone think of this.

Considering the next verse says:
Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
Examining oneself usually means inward respect of yourself, personal sins. And clearly isnt limited to drunkeness for a drunk person cant really examine themself. Paul lists drunkeness as one of many mortal sins (Gal 5:21).
Also note the severity of punishment:
29 For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.
The least of Paul’s concerns were “outward” irreverance, he is saying dont go to Communion with sin on your conscience.

 

[mlchance]

He further argues that the whole context of Paul’s writing about the manner (outward respect) of receiving communion. What does anyone think of this.

Well, he’s right that context is important, and it is exactly context which he is missing. Let’s look at the context.

St. Paul the Apostle is concerned that folks in Corinth are not conducting the Lord’s Supper properly. After discussing their abuses of the sacrament (in verses 17-22), he discusses the proper actions and attitudes:
23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
First, St. Paul repeats the Words of Institution. “This is my body,” et cetera. He is emphasizing the reality of the Real Presence.

Second, the expression “will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord” can only be understood if the body and blood of the Lord are present to be sinned against. Those who receiving the Eucharist without recognizing the Lord in the sacrament commits a sin.

For this reason, third, an examination of conscience is necessary before receiving the Eucharist in order to avoid receiving unworthily and coming under the Lord’s judgment.

– Mark L. Chance.

 

[Liberian]

Philip,

There is another translation which renders “unworthily” as “without discerning.” I would think that would blow the Protestant understanding of Eucharist as strictly a memorial right out of the water.

• Liberian

 

[Joe_Kelley]

Note that the according to the Didache

;But first make confession of your faults, so that your sacrifice may be a pure one

(Didache 14) the early Church believed they were to be free from sin by sacramental confession.

 

[kleary]

It makes no difference if you are arguing concerning the Real Presence - I.E. TRANSUBSTANTIATION.

It is impossible to sin against the Body and Blood of the Lord if Holy Communion is a symbol.

Ken