7 reasons why we take communion

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul says, “Let a person examine himself … for whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord … ”

Whenever Christ is present, the stakes are raised—and so is the demand that we come into that presence with the right attitude.

When we come into that presence unworthily, we risk bringing God’s discipline, his judgment, onto us.

So a lot rides on that one word, “unworthily.” What exactly does Paul mean by it?

Here’s what he can’t mean: Paul can’t mean that we should only take communion when we feel worthy of Christ’s presence.

Because that would be, well, never. None of us are worthy to take the bread and the cup. I mean, that’s exactly why we take the bread and the cup! (In fact, if we did feel worthy, that would be a sure sign that we aren’t approaching communion appropriately.)

So then what?

Notice that “unworthily” is an adverb.

When should you not take communion catholic

That reflects the original Greek, too. Paul’s focus is not on our status as worthy or unworthy, but on our posture in how we approach the table. Th

when can you not take communion

when do you not take communion