1 Cor. 11:26. For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.
You, he says, must be in such a disposition as if you were receiving the sacrifice from Christ Himself, on that very evening and reclining in that very place. For this supper is that very same one, and we "proclaim," that is, we remember, that very same "death," until the second coming.
1 Cor. 11:27. Therefore, whoever eats this bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty against the Body and Blood of the Lord.
He hints that they themselves partake unworthily, because they despise the poor. In what way, then, is one who partakes unworthily guilty? In that he too has shed the blood. For just as those who then pierced did not pierce in order to drink, but in order to shed, so too the one who drinks unworthily, and therefore receives no benefit from it, has shed the blood in vain. The Jews tore the tunic of the King, but whoever partakes unworthily has cast it into the mud, that is, into his own soul. Is not the dishonor equal? Therefore he is guilty in equal measure.
1 Cor. 11:28. Let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of this bread and drink of this cup.
When Paul necessarily includes one proposition within another, he usually investigates the latter as well. So it is now. The preceding discussion was about meals. But since he began speaking about the Mysteries, he occupies himself with this as the most essential matter, and points to the highest good in approaching with a clean conscience, and says: I do not set another as judge over you, but you yourself. Therefore, justify yourself before your own conscience, and thus approach — not when there are feast days, but when you find yourself pure and worthy.
1 Cor. 11:29. For he who eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks judgment to himself.
Not because of the nature of the Mysteries (for they are life-giving), but because of the unworthiness of the one who approaches, just as looking at the sun is harmful to diseased eyes.
1 Cor. 11:29. Not discerning the Lord's Body.
That is, without examining or thinking about the greatness of what is set before us. For if we were aware of what is set before us at a given time, we would not need another awakening: this alone would have awakened us to be vigilant.
1 Cor. 11:30. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
Take the proof of what has been said from what happens among you. For it is because many partake unworthily that cases of untimely death and prolonged illnesses occur. But do those who reach the deepest old age without experiencing illness no longer sin? They do sin. But for those who approach unworthily, not only these present punishments await, but even more severe ones in the other life. And we would not be punished even here if we did not sin, as he continues.
1 Cor. 11:31. For if we judged ourselves, we would not be judged.
He did not say: if we punished ourselves, but only: if we judged and condemned ourselves, then even here we would not be judged by God, and we would avoid punishments both here and there.
1 Cor. 11:32. But being judged, we are chastened by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.
Since, he says, we do not perform such an easy and simple task, that is, self-condemnation, God does not deal with us so mercilessly either, but punishes us here in order to show mercy there. "We are chastened" (παιδευόμεθα), he says, here: we are not subjected to punishments, but receive fatherly admonitions, so that there we may not be condemned "with the world," that is, with unbelievers. For believers, being under the protection of God, receive retribution for their sins here.
1 Cor. 11:33. Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.
Again he returned to the word about the poor, after having mentioned punishments and death. And he did not say: share with one another, but: wait, – in order to show that what is brought there is common, and one must await the common assembly.
1 Cor. 11:34. But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home.
A shaming word. For he speaks with them as with children who are irritable from hunger, and condemns their gluttony. Therefore, leading them out of the church, he sends them home, and there shames them considerably.
1 Cor. 11:34. So that you may not come together for condemnation.
That is, to their own harm and condemnation. Assemblies are appointed so that those who gather in love may be mutually beneficial to one another, but if this is not the case, then it is better to stay at home. He says this not so that they would stay at home, but in order to more strongly draw them to assemblies in the proper manner.
1 Cor. 11:34. The rest I will set in order when I come.
He speaks either about some other faults that existed among them and required resolution, or about the fact that some would likely defend themselves against what was said. But for now, what I have said must be observed. If anyone has something else to say, let him wait for my arrival. He frightens them with his arrival so that they may humble themselves and correct themselves, if they have anything amiss.