Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 11:27

"Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord." — 1 Corinthians 11:27 (ASV)

Participating “in an unworthy manner” (GK 397) entails coming to the table in an irreverent and sinful way and so sinning against the body and blood of Christ. This is what some of the Corinthians had been doing (vv.20–22). Of course, any other sinful approach to the table would be unworthy also. The apostle does not teach, however, that in eating and drinking the elements Christians are physically eating of Christ (see comment on vv.23–24).

This mosaic plate and cup, symbols of the Lord’s Supper, are replicas of those found at ancient church sites.