1 corinthians 11:30 - For this cause many among you are weak and sickly, and not a few sleep.

Generated Verse: 1 corinthians 11:30

What does "1 corinthians 11:30" mean?


This verse, 1 Corinthians 11:30, is a direct consequence of Paul's preceding discussion about the improper way the Corinthian church was observing the Lord's Supper (Communion). Let's break it down:

"For this cause...": This connects the verse directly to the issues Paul has been addressing in the chapter. These issues include:

Divisions and factions within the church: They weren't coming together in unity.
Disrespectful and selfish behavior at the Lord's Supper: Some were gorging themselves and getting drunk, while others (likely the poorer members) were left hungry and humiliated. They weren't sharing and remembering Christ's sacrifice together.
Failing to discern the Lord's body: They were treating the meal as a common feast and not recognizing its spiritual significance and the body of Christ (the church).

"...many among you are weak and sickly...": This is a direct consequence of their improper behavior. Paul is saying that God is disciplining them for their actions. The weakness and sickness are likely both physical and spiritual. It suggests a general decline in well-being.

"...and not a few sleep.": "Sleep" here is a euphemism for death. This is the most severe consequence. Some members had actually died as a result of God's judgment on their behavior.

In summary, the verse means:

Because of the Corinthians' disrespectful and divisive behavior at the Lord's Supper, failing to recognize its spiritual significance and disregarding the needs of their fellow believers, God was disciplining them. This discipline manifested in weakness, sickness, and even death among some of them.

Important Considerations:

Specific Cause and Effect: While the verse links the sickness and death to their behavior, it's important not to oversimplify this. It's not necessarily a one-to-one, guaranteed cause-and-effect relationship. God's judgment is complex and not always fully understandable.

Discipline vs. Punishment: Many scholars believe this is divine discipline aimed at correction and restoration, not just arbitrary punishment. God's purpose is to bring them back to a right relationship with Him and each other.

Context is Crucial: This verse must be understood within the broader context of 1 Corinthians 11 and the overall themes of Paul's letter. He is trying to correct serious issues of disunity, selfishness, and a lack of spiritual understanding within the Corinthian church.

Application Today: This passage serves as a warning against treating the Lord's Supper lightly or engaging in behaviors that cause division and disrespect within the church. It calls for humility, self-examination, and a genuine commitment to unity and love within the body of Christ.