Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

Now Paul shows how to guard against unworthy partaking of the Lord’s Supper. “To examine [oneself]” (GK 1507) is to put oneself to the test as to the attitude of one’s heart, outward conduct, and understanding of the true nature and purpose of the Supper. The Supper is a means of spiritual grace. By selfexamination believers guard against eating and drinking to their own judgment through not recognizing the importance of this Supper that commemorates the death of Christ. This judgment is not God’s eternal judgment but some temporal judgment such as sickness and death.