Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 11:17

"But in giving you this charge, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse." — 1 Corinthians 11:17 (ASV)

Now in this that I declare. This refers to what I am about to state to you; namely, your conduct regarding the Lord's Supper.

Why this subject is introduced here is not very apparent. The connection may be this: in the subjects immediately preceding, he had seen much to commend, and he wished to commend them as far as it could be done.

In 1 Corinthians 11:2 of this chapter, he commends them in general for their regard for the ordinances which he had appointed when he was with them. But while he so commended them, he takes the opportunity to observe that there was one subject on which he could not employ the language of approval or praise.

He had probably heard by rumor of their irregularities regarding the Lord's Supper. As the subject was of great importance, and their irregularities were gross and deplorable, he takes the opportunity to state to them again more fully the nature of that ordinance and to reprove them for the manner in which they had celebrated it.

That you come together. This means that you assemble for public worship.

Not for the better, but for the worse. Your meetings and your observance of the ordinances of the gospel do not promote your edification, piety, spirituality, and harmony, but instead tend to division, alienation, and disorder. You should assemble to worship God and to promote harmony, love, and piety; however, the actual effect of your assembling is just the reverse.

He states in the following verses in what way this was done. These evil consequences were primarily two:

1. Divisions and contentions.
2. The abuse and profanation of the Lord's Supper.