King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 11:22 Mean?

1 Corinthians 11:22 in the King James Version says “What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What sha...” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. have not: or, are poor?”

1 Corinthians 11:22 · KJV

Context

20

When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper. this: or, ye cannot eat

21

For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.

22

What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. have not: or, are poor?

23

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

24

And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. in: or, for a remembrance

Read 1 Corinthians 11 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not?—Paul's rhetorical questions intensify. Μὴ γὰρ οἰκίας οὐκ ἔχετε (have you not houses?)—if you want to gorge yourselves, do it at home! The church gathering is for mutual edification, not private consumption. Ironically, the wealthy do have houses; the poor don't—making the rich's behavior doubly offensive.

Or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not?—Καταφρονεῖτε (kataphroneite, despise) is strong—treating with contempt. Τῆς ἐκκλησίας τοῦ θεοῦ (the church of God) emphasizes whose assembly this is. To divide the church by class is to despise God Himself. Καταισχύνετε (kataischynete, put to shame) means to humiliate publicly. The poor weren't just hungry; they were shamed before the congregation. Paul's pastoral indignation mirrors Jesus's woes against the Pharisees—religious leaders who 'devour widows' houses' (Mark 12:40). Economic injustice masquerading as worship is hypocrisy.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In Roman patron-client society, wealthy patrons displayed generosity publicly to gain honor, but actual resource distribution was unequal. Corinthian wealthy Christians apparently saw church gatherings as opportunities for social display rather than gospel embodiment. By hosting in their homes but not truly sharing resources, they maintained social hierarchy under the guise of Christian fellowship. Paul's rebuke dismantles this: the church of God operates by different economics—radical generosity and equality, reflecting Christ who 'became poor that we might become rich' (2 Corinthians 8:9).

Reflection Questions

  1. How do modern churches unwittingly 'despise the church of God' through economic or social stratification?
  2. What does it mean practically to ensure no one is 'shamed' in church gatherings?
  3. How should wealthy Christians use their resources in church contexts to reflect gospel values rather than worldly honor-seeking?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 30 words
μὴ1 of 30

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

γὰρ2 of 30

“What”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

οἰκίας3 of 30

“houses”

G3614

properly, residence (abstractly), but usually (concretely) an abode (literally or figuratively); by implication, a family (especially domestics)

οὐκ4 of 30

“you not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἔχοντας5 of 30

“have ye”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

εἰς6 of 30

“in”

G1519

to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases

τὸ7 of 30
G3588

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

ἐσθίειν8 of 30

“to eat”

G2068

used only in certain tenses, the rest being supplied by g5315; to eat (usually literal)

καὶ9 of 30

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

πίνειν10 of 30

“to drink”

G4095

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

ἢ11 of 30

“or”

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

τῆς12 of 30
G3588

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

ἐκκλησίας13 of 30

“the church”

G1577

a calling out, i.e., (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (jewish synagogue, or christian community of members on earth

τοῦ14 of 30
G3588

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

θεοῦ15 of 30

“of God”

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

καταφρονεῖτε16 of 30

“despise ye”

G2706

to think against, i.e., disesteem

καὶ17 of 30

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

καταισχύνετε18 of 30

“shame”

G2617

to shame down, i.e., disgrace or (by implication) put to the blush

τοὺς19 of 30
G3588

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

μὴ20 of 30

“not”

G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

ἔχοντας21 of 30

“have ye”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

τί22 of 30

“What”

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

ὑμῖν23 of 30

“to you”

G5213

to (with or by) you

εἴπω24 of 30

“shall I say”

G2036

to speak or say (by word or writing)

ἐπαινῶ25 of 30

“I praise”

G1867

to applaud

ὑμᾶς26 of 30

“you”

G5209

you (as the objective of a verb or preposition)

ἐν27 of 30

“in”

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

τούτῳ28 of 30

“this”

G5129

to (in, with or by) this (person or thing)

οὐκ29 of 30

“you not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ἐπαινῶ30 of 30

“I praise”

G1867

to applaud

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 11:22 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 11:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Acts 20:28Proverbs 17:5James 2:5-61 Corinthians 10:321 Timothy 3:151 Corinthians 11:2

Test Your Knowledge

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