Chapter 11
The
apostle, after an exhortation to follow him
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1
|
corrects
some abuses
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2–16
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Also
contentions, divisions, and disorderly celebrations of the Lord’s supper
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17–22
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He
reminds them of the nature and design of its institution
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23–26
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And
directs how to attend upon it in a due manner
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27–34
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Verse 1
The first
verse of this chapter seems properly to be the close to the last. The apostle
not only preached such doctrine as they ought to believe, but led such a life
as they ought to live. Yet Christ being our perfect example, the actions and
conduct of men, as related in the Scriptures, should be followed only so far as
they are like to his.
Verses 2–16
Here begin
particulars respecting the public assemblies, ch. 1Co 14. In the abundance of
spiritual gifts bestowed on the Corinthians, some abuses had crept in; but as
Christ did the will, and sought the honour of God, so the Christian should avow
his subjection to Christ, doing his will and seeking his glory. We should, even
in our dress and habit, avoid every thing that may dishonour Christ. The woman
was made subject to man, because made for his help and comfort. And she should
do nothing, in Christian assemblies, which looked like a claim of being equal.
She ought to have “power,” that is, a veil, on her head, because of the angels.
Their presence should keep Christians from all that is wrong while in the
worship of God. Nevertheless, the man and the woman were made for one another.
They were to be mutual comforts and blessings, not one a slave, and the other a
tyrant. God has so settled matters, both in the kingdom of providence and that
of grace, that the authority and subjection of each party should be for mutual
help and benefit. It was the common usage of the churches, for women to appear
in public assemblies, and join in public worship, veiled; and it was right that
they should do so. The Christian religion sanctions national customs wherever
these are not against the great principles of truth and holiness; affected
singularities receive no countenance from any thing in the Bible.
Verses 17–22
The apostle
rebukes the disorders in their partaking of the Lord’s supper. The ordinances
of Christ, if they do not make us better, will be apt to make us worse. If the
use of them does not mend, it will harden. Upon coming together, they fell into
divisions, schisms. Christians may separate from each other’s communion, yet be
charitable one towards another; they may continue in the same communion, yet be
uncharitable. This last is schism, rather than the former. There is a careless
and irregular eating of the Lord’s supper, which adds to guilt. Many rich
Corinthians seem to have acted very wrong at the Lord’s table, or at the
love-feasts, which took place at the same time as the supper. The rich despised
the poor, and ate and drank up the provisions they brought, before the poor
were allowed to partake; thus some wanted, while others had more than enough.
What should have been a bond of mutual love and affection, was made an
instrument of discord and disunion. We should be careful that nothing in our
behaviour at the Lord’s table, appears to make light of that sacred
institution. The Lord’s supper is not now made an occasion for gluttony or
revelling, but is it not often made the support of self-righteous pride, or a
cloak for hypocrisy? Let us never rest in the outward forms of worship; but
look to our hearts.
Verses 23–34
The
apostle describes the sacred ordinance, of which he had the knowledge by
revelation from Christ. As to the visible signs, these are the bread and wine.
What is eaten is called bread, though at the same time it is said to be the
body of the Lord, plainly showing that the apostle did not mean that the bread
was changed into flesh. St. Matthew tells us, our Lord bid them all drink of
the cup, ch. Mt 26:27, as if he would, by this expression, provide against any
believer being deprived of the cup. The things signified by these outward
signs, are Christ’s body and blood, his body broken, his blood shed, together
with all the benefits which flow from his death and sacrifice. Our Saviour’s
actions were, taking the bread and cup, giving thanks, breaking the bread, and
giving both the one and the other. The actions of the communicants were, to
take the bread and eat, to take the cup and drink, and to do both in
remembrance of Christ. But the outward acts are not the whole, or the principal
part, of what is to be done at this holy ordinance. Those who partake of it,
are to take him as their Lord and Life, yield themselves up to him, and live
upon him. Here is an account of the ends of this ordinance. It is to be done in
remembrance of Christ, to keep fresh in our minds his dying for us, as well as
to remember Christ pleading for us, in virtue of his death, at God’s right
hand. It is not merely in remembrance of Christ, of what he has done and
suffered; but to celebrate his grace in our redemption. We declare his death to
be our life, the spring of all our comforts and hopes. And we glory in such a
declaration; we show forth his death, and plead it as our accepted sacrifice
and ransom. The Lord’s supper is not an ordinance to be observed merely for a
time, but to be continued. The apostle lays before the Corinthians the danger
of receiving it with an unsuitable temper of mind; or keeping up the covenant
with sin and death, while professing to renew and confirm the covenant with
God. No doubt such incur great guilt, and so render themselves liable to
spiritual judgements. But fearful believers should not be discouraged from
attending at this holy ordinance. The Holy Spirit never caused this scripture
to be written to deter serious Christians from their duty, though the devil has
often made this use of it. The apostle was addressing Christians, and warning
them to beware of the temporal judgements with which God chastised his
offending servants. And in the midst of judgement, God remembers mercy: he many
times punishes those whom he loves. It is better to bear trouble in this world,
than to be miserable for ever. The apostle points our the duty of those who
come to the Lord’s table. Self-examination is necessary to right attendance at
this holy ordinance. If we would thoroughly search ourselves, to condemn and
set right what we find wrong, we should stop Divine judgements. The apostle
closes all with a caution against the irregularities of which the Corinthians
were guilty at the Lord’s table. Let all look to it, that they do not come
together to God’s worship, so as to provoke him, and bring down vengeance on
themselves.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
Visit www.e-sword.net
or www.ccel.org
