1 Corinthians 11:21 Meaning: The Supper That Wasn't the Lord's
For in your eating each one takes his own supper first. One is hungry, and another is drunken.
For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
for in your eating each one taketh before other his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
for each his own supper doth take before in the eating, and one is hungry, and another is drunk;
For each one in eating takes his own supper before [others], and one is hungry and another drinks to excess.
Meaning in one sentence
Paul rebukes the Corinthians for selfishly eating their own meals at the Lord's Supper, leaving some hungry and others drunk. He calls for unity and reverence.
Context
Paul's first letter to the Corinthians addresses many problems in a young church. By chapter 11, he turns to their gatherings, especially the Lord's Supper. The Corinthians had turned this sacred meal into a time of division. Instead of sharing as one body, the rich began eating their own meals without waiting for the poor. Some had plenty, even too much, while others went hungry. Paul is blunt: their behavior makes it impossible to truly celebrate the Lord's Supper. This verse is the heart of his accusation, showing how selfishness had hollowed out the meaning of communion.
Key Words
Three Greek words show how badly things had gone wrong. The first is idion, meaning 'one's own' or 'private'. The Corinthians were not bringing food to share; they kept it for themselves. The Lord's Supper was meant to be a common meal, but they had privatized it. The second word is prolambanei, 'takes first' or 'anticipates'. Instead of waiting for everyone to arrive, they started eating ahead of others. This broke the unity of the body. The third word is methuei, which means 'to be drunk'. Paul does not soften the charge. Some Corinthians had so much wine that they were intoxicated, while others had nothing. Each word calls us back to sharing and selflessness.
How Christians Read This Verse
Most Christian commentators agree that the Corinthians were combining the Lord's Supper with a common meal, often called a love feast. The wealthier members brought their own food and ate it without sharing, humiliating those who had nothing. John Calvin called it 'next to a miracle' that such abuse arose so quickly. Matthew Henry notes the love feast gave occasion for scandal. Others, like the Cambridge Bible, point out that the divisions were social cliques. Across traditions, the consensus is that Paul condemns selfishness that destroys the church's unity at the very meal meant to embody it.
A common misunderstanding
Living This Out
This week, before you receive communion, take a moment to think about who else is at the table with you. Is there someone you have ignored, judged, or failed to serve? In a divided world, the Lord's Supper calls us to be one body. If you have plenty, consider how you can share with those in need, not just at church, but in daily life. Let the meal remind you that Christ gave himself for all, and we are to give ourselves for each other.
Main takeaway: The Lord's Supper is not about satisfying our own hunger but about sharing in Christ's body with all his people.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
When you share a snack, do you eat it all yourself or share with your friends? In our verse, some people at church were eating their own food and not sharing. That made God sad. Jesus wants us to share and remember that he shared everything for us.
For ages 9, 12
The Lord's Supper is a special meal where Christians remember Jesus' death. But in Corinth, the rich people started eating their own food before the poor people arrived. Some had too much, and others had nothing. Paul told them that this was not the Lord's Supper at all. He wanted them to wait for each other and share. When you come to communion, think about the whole church family, not just yourself.
Questions People Ask
What does 'each one takes his own supper first' mean in 1 Corinthians 11:21?
In the early church, the Lord's Supper was often preceded by a shared meal called the love feast. Wealthy Corinthians would bring their own food and start eating without waiting for the poorer members, who had little or nothing. This selfishness turned the meal into a display of class division rather than Christian unity.
Were some Corinthians actually getting drunk at the Lord's Supper?
Yes, Paul uses the Greek word methuei, which plainly means 'to be drunk' or intoxicated. Some commentators have tried to soften the word, but the Cambridge Bible warns against this. It shows how badly the Corinthians had corrupted the sacred meal, treating it like a party.
What is a love feast (agape feast) and how is it related to this passage?
A love feast was a common meal that early Christians shared as a sign of brotherly love, often before or after the Lord's Supper. Many commentators, including John Calvin and Matthew Henry, believe the Corinthians had turned this practice into an occasion for selfishness and division, which Paul condemns here.
How should this verse affect how we take communion today?
Paul's rebuke reminds us that communion is a corporate act, not a private devotion. We must come with hearts ready to share, to wait for one another, and to remember that Christ died for all. Part of preparing for communion is examining our relationships and making sure we are not living selfishly.
For pastors & researchers
Greek interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study