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ON EATING AND DRINKING OUR OWN DAMNATION
THE more excellent any thing is, the greater is the guilt contracted by the abuse of it. A contempt of the law is not so bad as a contempt of the Gospel [Note: Heb_10:28-29.]. An irreverent attendance on Divine ordinances is exceedingly sinful; but to profane the Lord’s supper is worse, inasmuch as that institution is more solemn and brings us nearer to God. Hence when St. Paul reproved the former, he spake mildly [Note: 1Co_14:33; 1Co_14:40.]; but when he reproved the latter, he spake with great severity.
I. What is it to eat the bread, and drink the cup of the Lord unworthily—
To understand this, we should inquire how the Corinthians behaved [Note: ver. 20–22. Their conduct seems at first sight to be absolutely inconsistent with a profession of Christianity. But, having been accustomed to such behaviour in their feasts during their Gentile state, they were as yet too much addicted to their former habits.]. The abuses of which they were guilty are impracticable now: nevertheless we may imitate them in our spirit and temper. Like them we shall eat and drink unworthily if we do it,
1. Ignorantly—
[The Corinthians did not discriminate between the common and religious use of the consecrated elements. Many at this time also partake without discerning the Lord’s body: they, not remembering his death, defeat the end for which the Supper of the Lord was instituted.]
2. Irreverently—
[The customs of our country do not admit of our meeting in the tumultuous way that was practised at Corinth [Note: 1Co_11:21.]; but many are altogether as destitute of reverence and sacred awe. A light, worldly, impenitent heart, is unbecoming that solemnity: such a frame, if habitual, mates us partake unworthily.]
3. Uncharitably—
[The rich did not impart of their provisions to the poor [Note: 1Co_11:22.]. We also may be equally destitute of Christian love: we may be haughty, injurious, unforgiving, &c. Such a frame wholly unfits us for the Lord’s table [Note: Mat_5:23-24.].]
4. Sensually—
[The Corinthians made it an occasion for intemperance and excess: though we cannot imitate them in this, we may be as carnal as they. A want of spirituality and affiance in Christ makes our service carnal; nor can such a service be acceptable to Him who will be worshipped in spirit and in truth.]
To attend at the Lord’s table in such a manner is no slight or venial offence.
II. The consequence of so doing—
The consequences mentioned in the text respect,
1. The guilt we contract—
[They were “guilty of the body and blood of our Lord” who crucified him, as they are also who apostatize from his truth [Note: Heb_6:6.]. They too are involved in the same guilt who partake unworthily of the Lord’s supper: they manifest a contempt of his sacrifice [Note: Heb_10:29.]. What a dreadful iniquity is this! How careful should we be to abstain from the commission of it!]
2. The punishment we incur—
[The word “damnation” imports temporal judgment [Note: The Apostle explains his meaning in the following verse; “for, for this cause,” &c and he tells us that it was a chastisement inflicted to keep them from eternal condemnation, ver. 32.]. Eternal damnation is by no means a necessary consequence of this sin [Note: Mat_12:31.]: yet if it be unrepented of, no doubt this punishment will follow; and we may expect some spiritual or temporal judgments for it here. We should therefore examine ourselves well before we attend the table of the Lord [Note: ver. 28.].]
Address—
1. Those who urge this as an excuse for neglecting the Lord’s supper—
[There are many who under this pretext cover their own unwillingness to yield themselves up to God; but God will not admit their vain excuses. The habitual neglect of their duty ensures the punishment which they desire to avoid. Let all then devote themselves to the Lord in the use of all his instituted ordinances.]
2. Those who are really kept away by a fear of incurring this punishment—
[Many are kept from the table by a sense of their own unworthiness. But to be unworthy, and to partake unworthily, are very different things [Note: A rebel against a mild and merciful prince is unworthy of pardon: but if he receive with gratitude the pardon offered him, and return to his allegiance, he receives it worthily. Thus we are unworthy of the smallest mercies, and much more of the children’s bread: but if we receive this bread with humility, gratitude, and an increasing devotedness of heart to God, we receive it as we ought, that is, worthily.]: yet if we have partaken unworthily in past times, let us humble ourselves for it; and then may we come again with joy: this has been the experience of many [Note: 2Ch_30:15-23.], and may be ours also.]