Category Archives: 1 Corinthians

1 Corinthians 12:1-3 (speaking in the Spirit of God)

In chapter 12, Paul continues to discuss the assembly — a subject that continues to the end of chapter 14. However, the focus now shifts from the Lord’s Supper to the exercise of spiritual gifts. (1Co 12:1 ESV) Now concerning … Continue reading

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1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (FAQs)

Q. Should we practice open or closed communion? A. The Churches of Christ have always practiced open communion. Following Alexander Campbell’s counsel to neither “invite nor debar,” the Churches never refuse communion to anyone present (other than an unbaptized child). Most Churches … Continue reading

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1 Corinthians 11:17-34 (The First Century Pattern for Communion)

It’s easy enough to compare our contemporary communion practices with the practices of the First Century and see a huge difference. We’ve managed to turn a real meal involving real fellowship among believers into a symbolic meal involving virtually nothing … Continue reading

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1 Corinthians 11:27-34 (“If Anyone Is Hungry”)

(1Co 11:27-28 ESV) 27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a person examine himself, then, and so … Continue reading

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1 Corinthians 11:22-26 (the Supper of the Lord)

(1Co 11:22 ESV) 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in … Continue reading

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1 Corinthians 11:17-21 (The Love Feast and the Wedding Banquet of the Lamb)

Abusing the Lord’s Supper (1Co 11:17-19 ESV) 17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse.  18 For, in the first place, when you … Continue reading

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1 Corinthians 11:2-16 (Wrapping Up; Spiritual Leadership), Part 8

Wrapping Up We are talking about veils, you know, so “wrapping up” just kinda made sense. Right? So one interpretation of this and a few other passages is that “head” refers to the “spiritual leadership” of men in the church. Fifty … Continue reading

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1 Corinthians 11:2-16 (A Translation), Part 7

So let’s take a stab at a fresh translation in light of what we’ve considered. (1Co 11:3-16 ESV)  3 But I want you to understand that the head of every [husband] is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, … Continue reading

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1 Corinthians 11:2-16 (God; Christ; Husband; Wife), Part 7

(Eph 5:22 ESV) 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.  As Paul explains in Ephesians 5, the wife’s obligation to her husband does not mean the husband has no reciprocal obligation. Rather, while Paul finds the … Continue reading

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1 Corinthians 11:2-16 (Husbands and Wives), Part 6

So, finally, we get to 1 Corinthians 11 — but hopefully with a rich, full understanding of Jesus and our relationship to him in mind. (1Co 11:3 ESV)  3 But I want you to understand that the head of every … Continue reading

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