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Holy Week · Holy (Maundy) Thursday

1 Corinthians 11:23-32

The Lord’s Supper

April 2, 2026

The Institution of the Eucharist, Nicolas Poussin
The Institution of the Eucharist, Nicolas Poussin, 1640Musée du Louvre, Paris
Poussin sets the supper in a severe classical hall and has the apostles reclining rather than seated, which no one else was doing. One figure is already leaving down the steps.1 Corinthians 11 is Paul handing on what he received about this night, and this is the night.Nicolas PoussinA French painter who lived almost entirely in Rome, building his compositions from wax figures in a box, and became the model of classical order.Musée du Louvre, ParisA royal palace turned public museum by the Revolution in 1793, on the principle that what the king had owned now belonged to everyone.Musée du Louvre, Paris
Historic One-Year Lectionary
GospelJn. 13:1-15 (34-35)Jn 13:1-15 (34-35)
Epistle1 Cor. 11:23-321 Cor 11:23-32
Old TestamentExod. 12:1-14Ex 12:1-14Alt. OTExod. 24:3-11Ex 24:3-11
PsalterPs. 116:12-19Ps 116:12-19

Overview & Insights

“Do this in remembrance of me… For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.” (1 Corinthians 11:24-26)

The danger of an amalgamation between pagan and Christian worship loomed in the Corinthian setting. After pointing out how clothing (veiling) blurred what should have been a clear distinction between pagan and Christian worship practices (11:2–16), Paul now turns to the issue of the Lord’s Supper itself. The very rooms in homes that used to host pagan worship in the setting of a private dinner were now the space for Christian worship, including the Christian meal called the Lord’s Supper (see the “Additional Insights” following this unit). A mere change of liturgy, prayers, and readings is insufficient—Christian worship requires a form that expresses the content of Christ’s gospel. Interpretive Insight 11:17 In the following directives I have no praise for you. Striking a sterner tone, Paul contrasts his commendation in 11:2 with the opposite statement here.

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Take it further: 1 Corinthians 11:23-32

Commentary

Commentary on 1 Corinthians 11:23-26Commentary on 1 Cor 11:23-26 Working Preacher

Luther Seminary reads Paul's words of institution and the call to discern the body.

1 Corinthians 11 Commentary: Conduct at the Lord's Supper1 Cor 11 Commentary: Conduct at the Lord's Supper Enduring Word · David Guzik

David Guzik covers the tradition Paul received and the warning about unworthy eating.

1 Corinthians 11 Commentary1 Cor 11 Commentary Precept Austin

A study hub of Greek notes and commentators on remembrance and self-examination.

1 Corinthians 11:23 Commentaries1 Cor 11:23 Commentaries BibleHub

Classic commentators on the night he was betrayed and the do this in remembrance of me.

Background & Word Study

1 Corinthians Overview1 Cor Overview BibleProject

An animated summary of Paul's letter and its call to unity at the Lord's table.

1 Corinthians 11:23 Interlinear1 Cor 11:23 Interlinear BibleHub

The Greek interlinear shows the words for received, handed on, and remembrance.

The Church Fathers

1 Corinthians 11 - Catena1 Cor 11 - Catena Catena

Patristic comment on the Supper tradition and eating and drinking worthily.

Questions preachers ask

What does Paul hand on about the Lord's Supper?

Paul passes on the words of institution received from the Lord: the bread that is his body and the cup that is the new covenant in his blood, proclaimed until he comes.

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