Divisions in the Supper

17In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. 18In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. 19No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval. 20So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, 21for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk. 22Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter! (1 Corinthians 11:17-22)

Thoughts:  The meetings of people who are supposed to love each other but divide from each other do more harm than good.  When Paul says in this same chapter that some eat the Lord's Supper in an unworthy manner (vs. 27), he is speaking of the division between them.  He again admonishes them to wait on each other and to eat together the sacred supper.  The holiness of the supper is made real by a discerning of the Lord's body and blood in the elements and a deep sense of love- for God and each other.  The selfishness of the manner the Corinthians had kept them from truly appreciating the Lord's Supper.  Not only were they divisive, but they were hurrying and inconsiderate.  Some were going without and some were over-indulging.  The church is called to be both faithful to the Lord and His teachings and loving toward each other.  The divisions in the church between how we viewed the elements is going against this premise.  If we are out for revenge or to show which of us has God's special favor over the others- then we are dividing the church- doing more harm than good in church.  May that never be.