Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Corinthians 11:29

"For he that eateth and drinketh, eateth and drinketh judgment unto himself, if he discern not the body." — 1 Corinthians 11:29 (ASV)

For he that eateth, and so on. To stir them to a deeper reverence for this ordinance and to a more solemn way of observing it, Paul in this verse states another consequence of partaking of it in an improper and irreverent manner (Compare to 1 Corinthians 11:27).

Eateth and drinketh damnation. This is evidently a figurative expression, meaning that by eating and drinking improperly he incurs condemnation—which is here expressed by eating and drinking condemnation itself. The word "damnation" we now apply, in common language, exclusively to the future and final punishment of the wicked in hell.

But the word used here does not necessarily refer to that. According to our current use of the word, there is a harshness and severity in our translation that the Greek does not require, and which probably was not conveyed by the word "damnation" when the translation was made.

In the margin, it is correctly rendered "judgment." The word used here (krima) properly denotes judgment: the result of judging, that is, a sentence; then a sentence by which one is condemned, or condemnation; and then punishment (Romans 13:2).

It evidently has the sense of judgment here. It means that by their improper manner of observing this ordinance, they would expose themselves to Divine displeasure and to punishment.

And it refers, I think, to the punishment or judgment which the apostle immediately specifies (1 Corinthians 11:30, 32). It means a manifestation of Divine displeasure which might be shown in this life, and which, in the case of the Corinthians, was manifested in the judgments God had brought upon them.

It cannot be denied, however, that a profane and intentionally irreverent manner of observing the Lord's Supper will meet with Divine displeasure in the eternal world and aggravate the doom of those who are guilty of it. But it is clear that this was not the punishment which the apostle had in mind here. This is apparent for the following reasons:

1. Because the Corinthians did eat unworthily, and yet the judgments inflicted on them were only temporal—that is, weakness, sickness, and temporal death (1 Corinthians 11:30).

2. Because the reason assigned for these judgments is that they might not be condemned with the wicked—that is, as the wicked are in hell (1 Corinthians 11:32). —Whitby (Compare to 1 Peter 4:17).

Not discerning the Lord's body. This means not discriminating (mh diakrinwn) between the bread used on this occasion and common, ordinary food. It means not making the proper difference and distinction between this and common meals. It is evident that this was the leading offense of the Corinthians (See Barnes on 1 Corinthians 11:20–21).

This is the proper idea that the original conveys. It does not refer to any intellectual or physical power to perceive that this bread represented the body of the Lord. Nor does it refer to any spiritual perception by which it is often supposed that piety distinguishes this, or to any view that faith might be supposed to have for discerning the Lord's body through the elements.

Rather, it refers to the fact that they did not distinguish or discriminate between this and common meals.

They did not regard it in a proper manner. Instead, they supposed it to be simply an historical commemoration of an event, much like those they were in the habit of observing to honor an idol or a hero with a public celebration.

Therefore, those are able to "discern the Lord's body" in the sense intended here who, with a serious mind, regard it as an institution appointed by the Lord Jesus to commemorate His death. These are individuals who distinguish in this way between this sacred meal and ordinary meals, as well as all festivals and feasts designed to commemorate other events.

In other words, these are individuals who deem it to be designed to show forth the fact that His body was broken for sin, and who desire to observe it as such.

It is evident that all true Christians may have this ability and need not incur condemnation by any error in this regard. The humblest and most obscure follower of the Saviour, with the feeblest faith and love, may regard it as designed to set forth the death of his Redeemer; and by observing it in this manner, will meet with Divine approval.