In 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, we find Paul's teaching on the institution of the Lord's Supper. The occasion is another one of the many problems in the Corinthian assembly.The Observance of the Lord’s Supper: Unity (vv. 17–22).
The Corinthians had a problem: when they observed the Lord’s Supper, the richer people brought food and had a large meal. Others who were poorer, perhaps even slaves, had nothing to bring so they sat and watched. In this way, the Lord’s Supper did not bring them together, but divided them apart (vv. 17–18). Now Paul does not condemn all distinctions, because he says there must be a division between those who are genuine believers and those who will not be sharing in the Lord’s Supper (v. 19). However, these divisions had made it so that the “Lord’s Supper” was simply a meal for one small group of Corinthian believers (vv. 20–21). Paul commands them to respect the Lord’s Supper by eating their food at home before they come (v. 22, 33–34).
The Origin of the Lord’s Supper: Jesus Christ himself (v. 23).
Lest the Corinthians think that Paul was using strong-arm tactics, Paul explains that this teaching on the Lord’s Supper was not his own invention. As a matter of fact, Paul is merely delivering to them what he had received directly from the Lord.
The Purpose of the Lord’s Supper: A Memorial (vv. 24–26).
Paul points out that the symbols we use to celebrate the Lord’s Supper come from Jesus’ last supper with his disciples (vv. 23b–24; cf. Matt 26:26–30; Mark 22:24–26; Luke 22:17–20). Jesus used the unleavened bread, part of the traditional Passover meal, to represent his body, which would be soon broken on the cross. As they ate the broken bread, they were to remember his sacrificial death (v. 24). The grape juice represented Christ’s blood shed in his death, by which he sealed the New Covenant (v. 25; cf. Heb 9:15–16). The purpose of this ordinance is to remember and proclaim the significance of the death of Jesus Christ (v. 26).
The Requirement for the Lord’s Supper: Self-examination (vv. 27–34).
Because of the solemn purpose of the Lord’s Supper, it is not something to be taken lightly. One should not approach the table in an unworthy manner (v. 27). To share in a sacred memorial in a flippant, sinful, or disrespectful way would be to profane (treat as common) the body and blood of our Lord. Therefore, Paul commands that we examine ourselves before we partake (v. 28), keeping in mind the serious consequences of dishonoring the memory of the death of our Savior (v. 29). In fact, Paul says, because of this very sin, several of the Corinthians had been disciplined by God himself: they had become sick, and some had even died (v. 30). To avoid the Lord’s judgment and his condemnation, believers ought to examine themselves (vv. 31–32).
FWIW: A song that I think captures the solemn mood and reverent memory of the Lord's Supper is "Remember Me" by Deborah Govenor.
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