1 Corinthians 11:27–31 – “Discerning the Body”
What does “Discerning the Body” mean?
To think about it, and remember it deeply all over again, in 2 different ways.
“Discerning the body” refers both to the literal remembrance of Christ’s physical sacrifice and the spiritual unity of the church as His body.
Primary meaning:
Recognizing the sacredness of Christ’s atoning sacrifice represented in the elements—bread and cup (cf. v.24–25).
This is why there is a judment for those who do not: v.27: “guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord.”
Referring to the literal Body of Christ (His crucifixion – v.24), which would call for reverence for the Cross.
To remember Christ’s sacrificial body with deep reverence
• This is personal: you recall that Jesus suffered and died for you.
• You are to think carefully, renew your gratitude, and realign your life in light of His atoning death.
• This is what Paul means when he says “do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Cor 11:24).
• It is a recommitment of heart and life to Christ’s Lordship, complete surrender.
Secondary meaning (especially from 10:17 and 12:27):
Failure to honor the unity and sanctity of the church, the body of Christ. (This is particularly relevant in light of the social divisions and selfish behavior in Corinth (vv.17–22).)
1st Century Jewish Thought: Meals signified fellowship and shared identity. To eat at someone’s table was to accept covenantal peace and unity.
To honor the unity of Christ’s body—the church
• This is relational: you acknowledge that all believers are united in one body through Christ.
• You must not come to the Table with division, bitterness, or selfishness (cf. 1 Cor 10:17; 11:21–22).
• It means valuing one another, reaffirming covenant unity, and repenting of any harm to the body.
When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we are:
• Renewing our covenant with God through Christ’s blood.
• Reaffirming our covenant with one another as members of His body.
This dual covenant reality is what Paul is urging the Corinthians to discern and not violate. Failure in either area — irreverence toward Christ or division among the saints — brings chastening, not because we are rejected, but because we are in covenant, and God is faithful to discipline His people (1 Cor 11:32; Heb 12:6–10).
Historical Context
• Hebrew background: The phrase “in remembrance” in Heb. implies covenantal recalling, not mere memory (cf. Exod 12:14; “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.
Lev 23:24 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. On the first day of the appointed month in early autumn, you are to observe a day of complete rest. It will be an official day for holy assembly, a day commemorated with loud blasts of a trumpet.).
• The Corinthian love feasts (agape meals) had devolved into displays of selfishness, social division, and drunkenness (v.21).
• In Second Temple Judaism, sacred meals (e.g., Passover) were covenant acts demanding ritual purity and personal reverence. Paul applies this seriousness to the Lord’s Supper.
• Josephus (Ant. 3.10.5) and Philo speak of sacred meals as times of reflection and unity. Abuses of such settings were seen as polluting the covenant.
So, self-examination before partaking is not optional—it is a covenantal requirement. Reverence, repentance, and unity must precede communion.