The record of the early church reveals, “On the first day of the week…the disciples came together to break bread” (Acts 20:7). “What does ‘to break bread’ mean? Is it, for certain, the Lord’s Supper?”
The expression “break bread” was an idiom that denoted the eating of a meal. Sometimes it is used in the Bible for a common meal, and sometimes it is used specifically for the Lord’s Supper. To understand which way it is being used, one must study the context in which it is found. (This is not unusual in the Greek language. The Greek words for “husband” and “wife” are the same words as “man” and “woman.” The context determines if it is a “husband” or a “man,” a “wife” or a “woman.”)
The context of these passages makes it clear that the “breaking of bread” in these instances was reference to a common meal. For “nourishment” before shipwreck, Paul “took bread…broke it and began to eat” (Acts 27:34-38). At a dinner table with two disciples, Jesus “took bread…and broke it” (Lk. 24:28-35). The daily activity of the early church involved “breaking bread from house to house,” which the Bible clearly defines as “taking their meals together” (Acts 2:46, NASB).
There are also obvious times when the “breaking of bread” had specific reference to the Lord’s Supper. On the night of His betrayal, “Jesus took bread…and broke it” (Matt. 26:26; Mark 14:22). Paul emphasized again how Jesus “took bread and…broke it” (1 Cor. 11:23-24). The “communion” entails, according to 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, “the bread which we break.” Within the context of elements of New Testament worship in Acts 2:42, “the breaking of [the] bread” (with definite articles) is included as an idiom for the Lord’s Supper.
So, what about Acts 20:7? Is “to break bread” in that passage the Lord’s Supper or a common meal? Consider these four contextual clues.
(1) The verb here, “to break bread,” is a Greek infinitive of purpose to show why they “came together.” This coincides with the purpose that Paul gave for the church to “come together” (1 Cor. 11:17, 18, 20, 33, 34)—i.e., “to eat the Lord’s Supper” (v. 20). (2) Paul, although hurrying to Jerusalem for Pentecost, abode in Troas for seven days (20:6). Such a detail would seem insignificant, if he was only waiting for a common meal or common gathering. (3) This breaking of bread only occurred once a week—on Sunday. (4) On Sundays, these brethren had met for a special gathering in an “upper room” (20:8). This was not an everyday gathering. This was a special occasion in a special place for a special purpose.
Every Sunday, the early church came together to eat the Lord’s Supper! The sum of Scripture so affirms (Ps. 119:160).