Summary - 1 Corinthians 11:27-34

After recounting the manner, mode, and purposes of Communion, Paul comments about the ways the Corinthians were moving from the side of being forgiven to the side of those who crucified Christ - making them guilty of the body and the blood (Henry). Eating and drinking of the body (taking of the bread) brings the Corinthians and today's believers into a place where they need to examine their own individual actions and the actions of the body as a whole. When Corithians separated groups and classes from each other, then the body was divided. That cannot be in the Lord for he taught and desired unity (N. T. Wright, p. 151). In verse 30 Paul attributes death and sickness to the Corinthians' improper actions in honoring the body (Baker, p. 173). Whether demonic or biologic, illness reflected spiritual as well as physical disease. At the table Paul counsels believers to discern the body and to judge (examine) themselves so as to come back into right fellowship both with the Lord and fellow believers. Jesus is compassionate and prefers our self-judgement; in those times when we must be chastened, we avoid being condemned with the world (verse 32).

The practical solutions of verses 33 and 34 offer hope. Anyone can change his/her ways. Then when believers eat together, it will not be for judgement, but for blesings (Wright, p. 152).

Extra Source: Commentary on the Whole Bible Acts to Revelation Vol VI by Matthew Henry online at http://www.ccel.org/ccel/henry/mhc6.iCor.xii.html
Cornerstone Biblical Commentary 1 Corinthians (William Baker), 2 Corinthians (Ralph Martin & Carl Toney), ed. by Philip Comfort. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, c2006.