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Scripture Reading : 1 Corinthians 11:33

Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

This chapter is full of instruction concerning the Lord's Supper¹, and some think the above verse also refers to it. This may be so, and certainly in those days it would be necessary to wait for each other in this matter. It is well to remember that time pieces were not what they are today. One could not announce that next Lord's Day at 10 a.m. we will remember the Lord, and expect everyone to be there on time. Most Christians had no means of telling the exact time. Consequently there might be different arrival times. They were not to rush ahead before all were there, but to wait for one another.

Awful conditions in the early church

However, a careful reading of this chapter, may cause some to conclude that it speaks of something more than the Lord's Supper. Note especially verses 20-22 and verse 34. It appears that they partook of a meal between meetings. No doubt, many came a long way to attend services and rather than go home and come back, they ate where they were meeting. Verse 21 tells of the condition, "For in eating, each one takes his own supper ahead of others; and one is hungry, and another is drunk." It appears that after the worship service those who carried lunches hurriedly sat down with their own little group, partaking of their food without considering anyone else. Some Christians were slaves with cruel masters and would come without food. Evidently the well-off made no attempt to share with the poor, but gluttonously swallowed their food without thought for their hungry fellow Christians.

Some were drunk

Evidently some were so base as to drink enough to become drunk. No doubt, it is especially this condition that Paul is warning against in verses 27-30. "Wherefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord" (1 Cor. 11:27). Evidently some were sitting at the Lord's table in a drunken condition, and this Paul strongly condemns. In verse 22, he suggests that it would be better not to have this meal at all than to have such shameless conditions exist.

Wait for one another

Let us learn from this to consider others in every matter. It is not unusual for things to arise in which Christians act in a selfish, inconsiderate way. Sometimes Christians rush ahead and do things even in connection with the service of the Lord, without considering others and sometimes contrary to the wishes of others. It is always best to seek the counsel of other Christians and abide by the wishes of the majority in matters of opinion even though we may be convinced that everyone else has a poor opinion and that we are obviously correct in our opinion.

Others

The story is told of an older preacher who was to speak at a certain special gathering. As the date approached he realized he would not be able to attend because of sickness. He reluctantly sent his regrets. They wrote back, saying, “If you can not come personally, we would appreciate a written message that can be read to those attending.” The old preacher consented. Those attending remember well when his letter was opened and read. It was composed of only one word, "Others." Everyone agreed that this was a wonderful message. Yes, others to be won for Christ, but also, others to be considered. May selfishness be put completely out of our lives—may we live for one another.

Footnote:

¹ For more information on the Lord’s Supper, see Remembering Jesus in Additional Resources section of StudyJesus.com.