King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 10:16 Mean?

1 Corinthians 10:16 in the King James Version says “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not ...” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?”

1 Corinthians 10:16 · KJV

Context

14

Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.

15

I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

16

The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?

17

For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

18

Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?

Read 1 Corinthians 10 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?—Paul uses two rhetorical questions expecting affirmative answers. The cup of blessing (to potērion tēs eulogias, τὸ ποτήριον τῆς εὐλογίας) references the third cup in the Passover meal, over which Jesus instituted the Lord's Supper. Which we bless (eulogoumen, εὐλογοῦμεν) means "give thanks for" or "pronounce blessing over."

The crucial word is koinōnia (κοινωνία, "communion/participation/fellowship/sharing"). This isn't mere symbolism or memorial—it's real spiritual participation in Christ's blood and body. The cup mediates fellowship with Christ's redemptive death; the bread mediates union with His sacrificed body. This doesn't mean the elements physically become Christ (transubstantiation) but that through them believers truly commune with Christ by the Spirit.

Paul's logic: if the Lord's Supper is genuine koinōnia with Christ, then eating at idol tables is koinōnia with demons (v. 20). You can't have fellowship with both. The sacrament isn't magic, but it's not merely symbolic either—it's Spirit-empowered communion with the risen Christ. This makes idol-temple participation not just unwise but spiritually adulterous.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Lord's Supper originated in Jesus's Passover meal (Luke 22:19-20). Early Christians continued this practice (Acts 2:42, "breaking of bread"). Paul's teaching on koinōnia was likely understood against both Jewish sacrificial meals (where eating consecrated meat established fellowship with God) and pagan cultic meals (where participants shared fellowship with the deity honored). The cup and bread are means of grace through which believers commune with Christ.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does understanding communion as true "participation" in Christ's body and blood change the way you approach the Lord's Supper?
  2. What does it mean practically to have "fellowship" with Christ through the sacrament?
  3. How can you prepare your heart to receive communion with proper reverence and faith?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 24 words
τὸ1 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ποτήριον2 of 24

“The cup”

G4221

a drinking-vessel; by extension, the contents thereof, i.e., a cupful (draught); figuratively, a lot or fate

τῆς3 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

εὐλογίας4 of 24

“of blessing”

G2129

fine speaking, i.e., elegance of language; commendation ("eulogy"), i.e., (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by implication, consecr

ὃν5 of 24

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

εὐλογοῦμεν6 of 24

“we bless”

G2127

to speak well of, i.e., (religiously) to bless (thank or invoke a benediction upon, prosper)

οὐχὶ7 of 24

“not”

G3780

not indeed

κοινωνία8 of 24

“the communion”

G2842

partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction

τοῦ9 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

αἵματος10 of 24

“of the blood”

G129

blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specially (the atoning blood of christ); by implication, bloodshed, also k

τοῦ11 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Χριστοῦ12 of 24

“of Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ἐστιν13 of 24

“is it”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

τὸν14 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄρτον15 of 24

“The bread”

G740

bread (as raised) or a loaf

ὃν16 of 24

“which”

G3739

the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that

κλῶμεν17 of 24

“we break”

G2806

to break (specially, of bread)

οὐχὶ18 of 24

“not”

G3780

not indeed

κοινωνία19 of 24

“the communion”

G2842

partnership, i.e., (literally) participation, or (social) intercourse, or (pecuniary) benefaction

τοῦ20 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

σώματος21 of 24

“of the body”

G4983

the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively

τοῦ22 of 24
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

Χριστοῦ23 of 24

“of Christ”

G5547

anointed, i.e., the messiah, an epithet of jesus

ἐστιν24 of 24

“is it”

G2076

he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 10:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 10:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 26:26-28Acts 2:421 Corinthians 11:23-29Hebrews 3:141 John 1:7John 6:53-58

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