In An Unworthy Manner 1 Corinthians 11 27

In An Unworthy Manner 1 Corinthians 11: 27 -32

Unworthily: What? • What does “unworthily” mean? • Unworthy (Gr. ἀναξίως ) is not an adjective describing the person who is partaking (see 6: 2) • One’s own personal worthiness is not under consideration here

Unworthily: What? • Unworthy is an adverb describing the manner in which one partakes (modifies “eat” and “drink”, both verbs) • The manner in which one partakes; not a physical ritual, but a spiritual condition of the heart; unworthily = of no value

Unworthily: How? • Not discerning (vv. 29, 31) • Careless, oblivious, insensitive, irreverent, disrespectful, defiant, partaking • Is the L. S. mechanical (“going through the motions”) or memorial?

Unworthily: The Result 1. Guilty of the body and blood – eating and drinking unworthily makes one guilty of disrespecting the body and the blood of Jesus, or guilty as if he crucified Jesus himself (see 8: 12) 2. Judgment unto himself – stands condemned or damned

Unworthily: The Result 3. Weak, sickly and asleep – eating and drinking unworthily makes one spiritually unhealthy (Rev. 3: 15 -17)

Unworthily: The Remedy 1. “Prove” (Gr. δοκιμάζω ) himself – selfexamination, testing, proving while partaking The person is not examining himself to see if he is worthy, but to see if he is properly thinking about the Lord’s supper; to keep from being guilty

Unworthily: The Remedy 2. “Discern” (Gr. διακρίνω ) the body (the church) and “discern” ourselves – close scrutiny; discriminate; thoroughly backand-forth judgment The Corinthian L. S. was divided (11: 1718); they were not waiting for each other and they were including a common meal (11: 20 -22, 33 -34)

Unworthily: The Remedy • Look backward to Jesus’ death (vv. 2325) • Look forward to Jesus’ return (v. 26) • Look inward to our own self (v. 28)

Unworthily: The Remedy • Think of the new covenant (Mt. 26: 28) • Think of sharing with Christ and other Christians (1 Cor. 10: 16 -17)

Unworthily: The Remedy • Focus on the song or the scripture reading (or some other reading) • Sit reverently and quietly and meditate • Have a well-prepared talk at the table • Think of how I can be unified with all

Not Just Action, But Attitude • The Lord’s supper (1 Cor. 11: 27) • Singing (Col. 3: 16) • Preaching (Ac. 7: 57; 1 Thess. 5: 19 -20) • Contribution (2 Cor. 9: 6 -7) • Praying (Acts 12: 5)