1 corinthians 11:22 - What, don’t you have houses to eat and to drink in? Or do you despise God’s assembly, and put them to shame who don’t have enough? What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don’t praise you.

Generated Verse: 1 corinthians 11:22

What does "1 corinthians 11:22" mean?


This verse, 1 Corinthians 11:22, is part of Paul's rebuke to the Corinthian church regarding their practice of the Lord's Supper (also called communion or the Eucharist). Here's a breakdown of its meaning:

"What, don’t you have houses to eat and to drink in?": Paul is questioning why they are turning the Lord's Supper into a private feast. He's pointing out that their homes are the appropriate place for regular meals and drinks. The implication is that they are bringing their own food and drink to the church gathering, not sharing it, and acting more like they're at a personal potluck than a sacred observance.

"Or do you despise God’s assembly, and put them to shame who don’t have enough?": This is the core of Paul's criticism. He accuses them of:
Despising God's assembly: By turning the Lord's Supper into a self-serving meal, they are disrespecting the church as a unified body, a community of believers gathered in God's name.
Putting to shame those who don't have enough: The wealthy members were bringing plenty of food and drink, while the poorer members who couldn't afford to do so were left hungry and humiliated. This created a division within the church, directly contradicting the spirit of unity and love that should characterize the Christian community.

"What shall I tell you? Shall I praise you? In this I don’t praise you.": Paul is being sarcastic. He's saying that there's nothing praiseworthy about their behavior. He cannot commend them for creating division, disrespecting the Lord's Supper, and shaming the poor.

In Summary:

Paul is condemning the Corinthian church for turning the Lord's Supper into a divisive and self-centered meal. He rebukes them for their lack of consideration for the poor and for disrespecting the sacred nature of the communal meal, emphasizing that it should be a symbol of unity and shared love, not a display of social inequality. The rich were eating and drinking their fill, while the poor went hungry, creating shame and division within the body of Christ.