The term "unworthily" is most prominently associated with the Apostle Paul's instructions regarding the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:27-29. In the Berean Standard Bible, the passage reads: "Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Each one must examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body eats and drinks judgment on himself."

Context and Meaning

In the context of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses the Corinthian church's improper conduct during the Lord's Supper. The term "unworthily" (Greek: ἀναξίως, anaxios) refers to partaking in the sacrament in a manner that is irreverent or disrespectful. The Corinthian believers were guilty of divisions, selfishness, and a lack of discernment regarding the sacredness of the meal, which was intended to commemorate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Theological Implications

The concept of partaking "unworthily" underscores the importance of self-examination and reverence in worship. It serves as a warning against approaching the Lord's Table with a cavalier or flippant attitude. The act of communion is not merely a ritual but a profound expression of faith and unity with Christ and His body, the Church. Therefore, believers are called to examine their hearts, confess sins, and reconcile with others before participating.

Examination and Discernment

Paul's exhortation to "examine himself" (1 Corinthians 11:28) implies a deep introspection and acknowledgment of one's spiritual state. This self-examination is not meant to exclude believers from the table but to encourage a sincere and humble approach. Recognizing the body (v. 29) involves understanding the significance of Christ's sacrifice and the unity of the Church as His body.

Consequences of Unworthy Participation

The passage warns that eating and drinking in an unworthy manner brings judgment upon oneself. This judgment is not necessarily eternal condemnation but can manifest as divine discipline. Paul notes that some in the Corinthian church were weak, sick, and even dying as a result of their irreverence (1 Corinthians 11:30). This serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness with which God views the sacrament.

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the call to avoid partaking unworthily remains relevant. It encourages a heart posture of humility, repentance, and reverence. Churches often incorporate moments of reflection and confession in their communion services to facilitate this process. The emphasis is on approaching the Lord's Table with a clear conscience and a heart aligned with God's will.

Related Concepts

· Reverence: The attitude of deep respect and awe towards God, especially in worship.
· Self-Examination: The practice of introspection to assess one's spiritual condition and relationship with God.
· Communion: Also known as the Lord's Supper or Eucharist, a sacrament commemorating Christ's death and resurrection.
· Unity of the Church: The concept that believers are one body in Christ, called to live in harmony and love.

Biblical Cross-References

· Matthew 5:23-24: Jesus' teaching on reconciliation before offering gifts at the altar.
· Hebrews 12:28-29: An exhortation to worship God with reverence and awe.
· Psalm 139:23-24: A prayer for God to search and know one's heart, revealing any offensive way.371. anaxios -- in an unworthy manner
... in an unworthy manner. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: anaxios Phonetic
Spelling: (an-ax-ee'-oce) Short Definition: unworthily, in an unworthy manner ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/371.htm - 6k

Whether a Man who is in Sin Can Without Sin Exercise the Order He ...
... infamy, I will not call them prayers, over the Divine symbols." Therefore a priest
is a blasphemer and a cheat if he exercises his order unworthily, and thus ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man who is 3.htm

Whether the Sinner Sins in Receiving Christ's Body Sacramentally?
... On the contrary, The Apostle says (1:Cor.11:29): "He that eateth and drinketh
unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself." Now the gloss says on this ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sinner sins in.htm

Whether to Approach this Sacrament with Consciousness of Sin is ...
... sin is the gravest of all sins; because the Apostle says (1:Cor.11:27): "Whosoever
shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether to approach this sacrament.htm

1 Cor. xi. 28
... witness. [2.] Ver.29. "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and
drinketh judgment to himself.". What sayest thou, tell me? ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxviii 1 cor xi.htm

Letter Liv. Replies to Questions of Januarius.
... he ought to choose those days upon which he lives in more special purity and
self-restraint; for whosoever eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter liv replies to questions.htm

The Duty of Constant Communion JW
... One reason why many neglect it is, they are so much afraid of "eating and drinking
unworthily," that they never think how much greater the danger is when they ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 101 the duty of.htm

Petilianus Said: "But that the Truth of this May be Made Manifest ...
... For the sacraments are holy through Him to whom they belong; but when taken in
hand worthily, they bring reward, when unworthily, judgment. ...
/.../chapter 37 85 petilianus.htm

Of the Mass.
... But Paul severely threatens those who deal unworthily with the Eucharist when he
says, 1:Cor.11,27: Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the ...
/.../various/the augsburg confession of faith/article xxiv of the mass.htm

Whether the Forgiveness of Mortal Sin is an Effect of this ...
... On the contrary, It is written (1:Cor.11:29): "He that eateth and drinketh unworthily,
eateth and drinketh judgment to himself": and a gloss of the same ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the forgiveness of mortal.htm

Whether Goodness of Life is Required of those who Receive Orders?
... to Objection 1: Just as the sinner dispenses sacraments validly, so does he receive
validly the sacrament of Orders, and as he dispenses unworthily, even so he ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether goodness of life is.htm

Unworthily (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Unworthily (2 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 11:27
Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this ...
/u/unworthily.htm - 7k

Unworthly
... In 11:27 the American Standard Revised Version has changed "unworthily"
to "in an unworthy manner," a rather pointless alteration. ...
/u/unworthly.htm - 6k

Unworked (1 Occurrence)

/u/unworked.htm - 6k

Eateth (81 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). 1 Corinthians 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth
and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. ...
/e/eateth.htm - 31k

Drinketh (33 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). 1 Corinthians 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth
and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. ...
/d/drinketh.htm - 16k

Discerning (29 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh
damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (KJV WBS YLT RSV). ...
/d/discerning.htm - 15k

Meanly (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) Moderately. 2. (adv.) In a mean manner; unworthily;
basely; poorly; ungenerously. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/m/meanly.htm - 6k

Blasphemy (15 Occurrences)
... Version, margin "reviling"; so perhaps in 1 Timothy 1:20; or Hymeneus and Alexander
may have blasphemed Christ by professing faith and living unworthily of it ...
/b/blasphemy.htm - 20k

Drinking (114 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 1 Corinthians 11:29 for he who is eating and drinking unworthily, judgment
to himself he doth eat and drink -- not discerning the body of the Lord. (YLT) ...
/d/drinking.htm - 38k

Manners (6 Occurrences)
... these things" (Acts 25:20) for "of such manner of questions"; "in an unworthy manner,"
the American Standard Revised Version, for "unworthily" (1 Corinthians 11 ...
/m/manners.htm - 17k

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus