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Scott's Reference Library
1 Corinthians 11:23 through 1
Corinthians 11:26 (NIV)
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.
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
VERSES 23-34
The apostle describes the sacred ordinance, of which he had the knowledge by
revelation from Christ. As to the visible signs, these are the bread and wine.
What is eaten is called bread, though at the same time it is said to be the body
of the Lord, plainly showing that the apostle did not mean that the bread was
changed into flesh. St. Matthew tells us, our Lord bid them all drink of the
cup, ch. Matthew 26:27, as if he would, by this expression, provide against any
believer being deprived of the cup. The things signified by these outward signs,
are Christ’s body and blood, his body broken, his blood shed, together with all
the benefits which flow from his death and sacrifice. Our Saviour’s actions
were, taking the bread and cup, giving thanks, breaking the bread, and giving
both the one and the other. The actions of the communicants were, to take the
bread and eat, to take the cup and drink, and to do both in remembrance of
Christ. But the outward acts are not the whole, or the principal part, of what
is to be done at this holy ordinance. Those who partake of it, are to take him
as their Lord and Life, yield themselves up to him, and live upon him. Here is
an account of the ends of this ordinance. It is to be done in remembrance of
Christ, to keep fresh in our minds his dying for us, as well as to remember
Christ pleading for us, in virtue of his death, at God’s right hand. It is not
merely in remembrance of Christ, of what he has done and suffered; but to
celebrate his grace in our redemption. We declare his death to be our life, the
spring of all our comforts and hopes. And we glory in such a declaration; we
show forth his death, and plead it as our accepted sacrifice and ransom. The
Lord’s supper is not an ordinance to be observed merely for a time, but to be
continued. The apostle lays before the Corinthians the danger of receiving it
with an unsuitable temper of mind; or keeping up the covenant with sin and
death, while professing to renew and confirm the covenant with God. No doubt
such incur great guilt, and so render themselves liable to spiritual judgements.
But fearful believers should not be discouraged from attending at this holy
ordinance. The Holy Spirit never caused this scripture to be written to deter
serious Christians from their duty, though the devil has often made this use of
it. The apostle was addressing Christians, and warning them to beware of the
temporal judgements with which God chastised his offending servants. And in the
midst of judgement, God remembers mercy: he many times punishes those whom he
loves. It is better to bear trouble in this world, than to be miserable for
ever. The apostle points our the duty of those who come to the Lord’s table.
Self-examination is necessary to right attendance at this holy ordinance. If we
would thoroughly search ourselves, to condemn and set right what we find wrong,
we should stop Divine judgements. The apostle closes all with a caution against
the irregularities of which the Corinthians were guilty at the Lord’s table. Let
all look to it, that they do not come together to God’s worship, so as to
provoke him, and bring down vengeance on themselves.