Many have become confused when reading the word “unworthy” in context of the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29. Sometimes we hear a word and assign a meaning and understanding that is not necessarily correct. Read this passage first in the King James Version, then let’s examine it.
“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body” (1 Cor. 11:27-29).
First, let’s consider a question: Are any of us worthy to partake of the Lord’s Supper?Comments have been made occasionally by Christians that they just didn’t feel worthy to partake of the Lord’s Supper that morning, so they just passed the tray. But, are any of us ever worthy to partake of the communion? Think about what it commemorates. “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me” (1 Cor. 11:24). “This is My blood of the covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins…This do…in remembrance of Me” (Matt. 26:28; 1 Cor. 11:25). Are any of us worthy of the suffering, the bloodshed or the death of our Lord? Not one of us (cf. Rom. 3:10) is worthy of what Christ did for us (cf. Matt. 20:28; Heb. 2:9), let alone to partake in the memorial feast.
Thankfully, the instructions in 1 Corinthians 11 are notdiscussing whether or not one is worthy to partake. Rather, the focus is on the mannerin which one partakes. The word “unworthily” is an adverb. If it had been an adjective, it may have modified the partaker. However, as an adverb, it modifies the verb (eat) and expresses some relation of manner or quality. Thus, the passage is not talking about an unworthy person (that would be all of us); rather, it is focusing on a Christian who partakes in an “unworthy manner” (which is how the NKJV, ASV, NASB and ESV translate it).
So, how can a Christian partake of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner? This is of utmost importance, for he who does so, in an unworthy manner, “will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord” and bring “damnation to himself.” The answer is right there in the verse—to partake in an unworthy manner is to partake “without discerning the body” of our Lord.
The eternal salvation of our souls is at stake every time we partake of the bread and the cup. It is that important!