DO NOT FAST BEFORE COMMUNION
A. Jesus Disciples Ate The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Passover) Before Communion –
1. Matthew says, “as they did eat” – Mat. 26:21; “as they were eating” – Mat. 26:22
2. Mark says, “as they sat and did eat” – Mark 14:18; “as they did eat” – Mark 14:22
3. Luke says, “Feast of Unleavened Bread called The Passover” – Luke 22:1; “Prepare us the Passover that we may eat” – Luke 22:8); “Likewise - after supper” – Luke 22:20
4. John says, … “Supper ended” – John 13:1; “Riseth from supper” – John 13:4
TMH: Jesus made The Disciples Eat before Communion; NOT fast before Communion!
B. The Corinthians Were Commanded To Eat Before Communion; Not To Fast –
1. Eat and Drink At Home Before Coming – 1 Cor. 11:21-22
2. “Tarry (wait) One for Another” – 1 Cor. 11:33 Cp. 1 Cor. 11:21
3. “If Any Man Hunger, Let Him Eat At Home” – 1 Cor. 11:34
TMH: Paul told The Corinthians to Eat before Communion; and NOT To Fast!
RESULTS IF TAKEN “UNWORTHILY” (Spanish, “Indignamente”)
A. The Key is “Remembrance” [364 anamnesis (an-am’-nay-sis); from NT:363; recollection. T: a remembering, recollection to call me (affectionately) to remembrance] – Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24 - body, 25 - blood
Note: The phrase “as oft as,” in 1 Cor. 11:25, is from the Greek hosakis ean (3740 1437). Hosakis, how (i.e. with many times as and Ean, in case that, provided, etc.; often used in connection with other particles to denote indefiniteness or uncertainty:
B. “Unworthily” [S: 371 Anaxios; adverb from NT:370; irreverently. T: in an unworthy manner] and 1 Cor. 11:25 – means “treating as a common thing” – 1 Cor. 11:25, 29 Note: This adverb DOES NOT describe the person’s state; but rather their manner of Eating.
Not how they were; but HOW they ate. Therefore, if you fasted beforehand you were more likely to be in violation, like the Corinthians! Its only use as an adjective is 1 Corinthians 6:2. The Spanish word for “Unworthily” is “Indignamente!”
C. “Guilty” [1777 enechos, liable to from enecho, to hold in or upon, keep a grudge] – 1 Cor. 11:25; Heb. 10:29 “counted blood of covenant unholy” Cp. Judas – John 13:27
D. Self Examination (Approval) – 1 Cor. 11:28
E. Consumed “Damnation” [S:2917 krima], “decision w.r.t crime” – 1 Cor. 11:29 no discernment; therefore many are weak, sick and sleep (v. 30). Cp. Satan – I Tim. 3:6; Isa. 14:12-16 Note: The love of God is such that though we crucify him, he prefers to chasten [from 3811 paideuo (pahee-dyoo’-o); from 3816; to train up a child, i.e. educate, or (by imp.) discipline (by punishment)] instead of condemning or “sentencing us.”
F. Not Discerning [S: diakrino (dee-ak-ree’-no); from 1223 and 2919; to separate thoroughly, i.e. (lit. and refl.) to withdraw from, or (by impl.) oppose; fig., to discriminate (by impl., decide), or (refl.) hesitate. T: to be separated] – 1 Cor. 11:29 Note: From Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament: The verb diakrinoo is an old and common word, our dis-cri-minate, to distinguish. Eating the bread and drinking the wine as symbols of the Lord’s body and blood in death probes one’s heart to the very depths. Vincent’s Word Studies of the New Testament: Not discerning mee diakrinoon … The verb primarily means to “separate,” and hence, “to make a distinction, discriminate.” … the recognition of differences … about the degradation of the Lord’s Supper, the discrimination between the Lord’s body and common food may naturally be contemplated; but further, such discernment of the peculiar significance and sacredness the Lord’s body as shall make him shrink from profanation and shall stimulate him to penitence and faith.
G. The Error f(Hunger) resulted in “Condemnation” [S:2917 krima] – 1 Cor. 11:34
H. To Remove The Possibility of Eating Unworthily –
1. “Remember” – 1 Cor. 11:24-25
2. “If Any Man Hunger, Let him Eat At Home” to Avoid “Condemnation” – 1 Cor. 11:34
3. “Tarry (Wait) One For Another´ Before Taking the Communion – 1 Cor. 11:33 Cp. 1 Cor. 11:21
Note: Here, some Corinthians turned Communion into their “Own Supper,” coming “Hungry” and “Drunken.” They were warned DO NOT “Taketh Before [S:4301 Prolambano; Pro (before) + Lambano (to take), i.e. Eat before others] Other’ (1 Cor. 11:21). They DID NOT FAST BEFORE COMMUNION
4 “Take” [S:2983 Lambano; to take (objective, active), to get hold of] – 1 Cor. 11:24
Note: Jesus did not pose this as optional! This is different than S:1209 Dechomai, to have offered to one (which is rather subjective and passive); and different than S:138 Haireomai, which is more violent taking. Note: The “Damnation” [S:2917 Krima] in 1 Corinthians 11:29 is the “Condemnation” [S:2917 Krima] in 1 Corinthians 11:34.
I. Wounded, outward bleeding, for our transgressions – Isa. 53:5
J. Bruised, inward bleeding, for our iniquity - Isa. 53:5