King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 11:27 Mean?

1 Corinthians 11:27 in the King James Version says “Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and bl... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

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.

1 Corinthians 11:27 · KJV


Context

25

After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

26

For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come. ye do: or, shew ye

27

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.

28

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

29

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. damnation: or, judgment


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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—Solemn warning. Ὥστε (wherefore) draws conclusion from vv. 23-26. Ἀναξίως (anaxiōs, unworthily) is adverb—it modifies how one eats, not who is worthy (no one is inherently worthy!). Unworthy eating includes divisions, gluttony, drunkenness (vv. 21-22), and failing to discern the Lord's body (v. 29).

Shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (ἔνοχος ἔσται τοῦ σώματος καὶ τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ κυρίου)—enochos means guilty, liable to judgment, answerable for. Unworthy participation makes one guilty of sinning against Christ Himself—akin to participation in His crucifixion. This echoes Hebrews 6:6 (crucifying Christ afresh) and 10:29 (trampling the Son of God underfoot). The Table is sacred; treating it casually or divisively profanes Christ's sacrifice. This isn't legalism but reverence—the meal signifies Christ's death and demands heart preparation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish temple worship distinguished clean/unclean, worthy/unworthy participation. Passover required participants to be ceremonially clean (Exodus 12:43-49, Numbers 9:6-14). Paul transfers this holiness requirement to the Christian Table—not ritual purity but heart purity, specifically unity and self-examination. The early church developed fencing practices (1 Clement, Didache)—excluding unrepentant sinners from the Table to preserve its holiness and the church's witness. Paul's warning shaped Christian liturgy and discipline.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does 'unworthy' participation in the Lord's Supper look like practically—what attitudes or actions profane the Table?
  2. How is being 'guilty of the body and blood' different from merely eating a meal disrespectfully?
  3. How should churches balance the Table's invitation (grace) with its warning (judgment) without falling into either presumption or legalism?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 22 words
Ὥστε1 of 22

Wherefore

G5620

so too, i.e., thus therefore (in various relations of consecution, as follow)

ὃς2 of 22

whosoever

G3739

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

ἂν3 of 22
G302

whatsoever

ἐσθίῃ4 of 22

shall eat

G2068

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

τὸν5 of 22
G3588

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

ἄρτον6 of 22

bread

G740

bread (as raised) or a loaf

τοῦτον7 of 22

this

G5126

this (person, as objective of verb or preposition)

8 of 22

and

G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

πίνῃ9 of 22

drink

G4095

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

τὸ10 of 22
G3588

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

ποτήριον11 of 22

this cup

G4221

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

τοῦ12 of 22
G3588

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

κυρίου13 of 22

of the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)

ἀναξίως14 of 22

unworthily

G371

irreverently

ἔνοχος15 of 22

guilty

G1777

liable to (a condition, penalty or imputation)

ἔσται16 of 22

shall be

G2071

will be

τοῦ17 of 22
G3588

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

σώματος18 of 22

of the body

G4983

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

καὶ19 of 22

and

G2532

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

αἵματος20 of 22

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

τοῦ21 of 22
G3588

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

κυρίου22 of 22

of the Lord

G2962

supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)


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 11:27 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 11:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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