I Corinthians 11:22
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Don’t you have your own homes in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What can I say to you? Shall I praise you for this? No, I will not!
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
What!--Greek, "For." houses--(compare Co1 11:34) --"at home." That is the place to satiate the appetite, not the assembly of the brethren [ALFORD]. despise ye the church of God--the congregation mostly composed of the poor, whom "God hath chosen," however ye show contempt for them (Jam 2:5); compare "of God" here, marking the true honor of the Church. shame them that have not--namely, houses to eat and drink in, and who, therefore, ought to have received their portion at the love-feasts from their wealthier brethren. I praise you not--resuming the words (Co1 11:17).
Open source ↗In this chapter the apostle blames, and endeavours to rectify, some great indecencies and manifest disorders in the church of Corinth; as, I. The misconduct of their women (some of whom seem to have been inspired) in the public assembly, who laid by their veils, the common token of subjection to their husbands in that part of the world. This behaviour he reprehends, requires them to keep veiled, asserts the superiority of the husband, yet so as to remind the husband that both were made for mutual help and comfort (v. 1-16). II. He blames them for their discord and neglect and contempt of the poor, at the Lord's supper (Co1 11:17-22). III. To rectify these scandalous disorders, he sets before them the nature and intentions of this holy institution, directs them how they should attend on it, and warns them of the danger of a conduct to indecent as theirs, and of all unworthy receiving (Co1 11:23 to the end).
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.
Keep watch over yourselves and the entire flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which He purchased with His own blood.
Do not become a stumbling block, whether to Jews or Greeks or the church of God—
in case I am delayed, so that you will know how each one must conduct himself in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Now I commend you for remembering me in everything and for maintaining the traditions, just as I passed them on to you.
For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how can he care for the church of God?
In the following instructions I have no praise to offer, because your gatherings do more harm than good.
For I am the least of the apostles and am unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.