1 Corinthians 11:18

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:17-22

In this passage the apostle sharply rebukes them for much greater disorders than the former, in their partaking of the Lord's supper, which was commonly done in the first ages, as the ancients tell us, with a love-feast annexed, which gave occasion to the scandalous disorders which the apostle here reprehends, concerning which observe, I. The manner in which he introduces his charge: ?Now in this that I declare to you I praise you not, Rom. 11:17. I cannot commend, but must blame and condemn... read more

William Barclay

William Barclay's Daily Study Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:17-22

11:17-22 When I give you this instruction, I am not praising you, because when you meet together it is actually doing you more harm than good. Firstly, I hear that when you meet together in assembly, there are divisions among you; and to some extent I believe it. There are bound to be differences of opinion among you, so that it may become clear which of you are of tried and sterling quality. So then when you assemble together in the same place it is certainly not the Lord's meal that you... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:18

For first of all, when ye come together in the church ,.... The place where the church met together to perform divine service, called "one place". 1 Corinthians 11:20 and is distinguished from their own "houses", 1 Corinthians 11:22 and the first thing he took notice of as worthy of dispraise and reproof, in their religious assemblies, were their animosities and factions: I hear that there be divisions among you : schisms and parties, either about their ministers, one being for Paul,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:18

There be divisions among you - They had σχισματα , schisms, among them: the old parties were kept up, even in the place where they assembled to eat the Lord's Supper. The Paulians, the Kephites, and the Apollonians, continued to be distinct parties; and ate their meals separately, even in the same house. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 11:18

Verse 18 18.When ye come together in the Church, I hear there are divisions Some take the words divisions and heresies, as referring to that disorder ( ἀταξίαν) of which he speaks soon afterwards. I consider them as having a more extensive signification, and certainly it is not likely that he would employ terms so improper and unsuitable for the purpose of exposing that abuse. (647) For as to their alleging that he has expressed himself in more severe terms, with the view of exposing more fully... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:17-19

Sectarian feeling within the Church. "There be divisions among you." "There must be also heresies [sects] among you." Distinguish between the divisions which lead to the formation of separate sects, and the sectarian feeling which may disturb the harmony and the work of a particular Church. The apostle refers not to sects dividing the Church into parts, but to parties and party feeling within an individual Church. Such party feeling tells most injuriously on spiritual profit and progress.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:17-22

Religious institutions: their abuse. "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not," etc. Three practical truths may be fairly deduced from this paragraph. I. THAT ATTENDANCE ON THE INSTITUTIONS OF RELIGION MAY PROVE PERNICIOUS RATHER TITAN BENEFICIAL . "Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse." The apostle in this verse censures the Corinthians that they came together to the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:17-22

Some hindrances to the right observance of the Lord's Supper. Holy institutions may become unholy by perversion. That which is bestowed upon us as a peculiar blessing may prove a very real curse by misuse. The ordinance of the Lord's Supper is for our spiritual help and joy, but we may "come together not for the better, but for the worse." This was so with many of the Corinthians. They had conjoined to the Lord's Supper the love feast. To this feast each brought his provision, the rich... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Discreditable irregularities at the Eucharist and the agapae. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 11:17-34

Special consideration of the Lord's Supper; uses of self judgment. And what is St. Paul's mood of mind now? "I declare unto you" (command you), and I praise you not, since I hear of "divisions" among you, and "I partly believe it." "Heresies [sects] must be among you," for in the present state of our nature there is no way to develop the good without the evil manifesting itself. The evil has its uses; the evil is not a cause but an occasion of good; the evil is overruled by the Holy... read more

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