Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 11:25

ὁσάκις ἐάν אBC. ὁσάκις ἄν DEFG. So also in next verse.

25. ὡσαύτως. The words in the original, though translated differently, are precisely the same as those of St Luke, and seem to imply that, according to Jewish practice at the Passover, while the bread was administered at supper, the cup was administered after it. See, however, next note.

λέγων. The literal translation of the words that follow is, This cup is the New Covenant in My Blood; this do whensoever ye may drink it, in remembrance of Me. St Luke gives us the words as follows: ‘This Cup is the New Covenant in My Blood, which is being poured forth for you’ (but the whole verse is bracketed by Westcott and Hort; see Critical Note). St Matthew, ‘Drink ye all of it, for this is My Blood which is of the New Covenant, which is poured forth for many unto the remission of sins’; St Mark, ‘This is My Blood, which is of the [New] Covenant, which is poured forth for many.’ It is obvious that no one report of these important words can be pressed to the exclusion of the rest.

ἡ καινὴ διαθήκη. The new covenant. In Classical Greek διαθήκη has unquestionably the signification testament. It is derived from διατίθημι, to put thoroughly in order, and is used of that complete arrangement of his worldly affairs which a man is accustomed to make in a will. See perhaps for this meaning Hebrews 9:16 (though the question is much debated and the sense ‘covenant’ falls in best with the general drift of the argument). In other places in the N. T. it is used, as in Genesis 9:12 and elsewhere in the LXX., in place of the Hebrew Berith, a covenant or agreement between two parties, one of which sometimes is God. For an example of this sense see Galatians 3:15. Here it would appear to include both senses, for (1) it was a covenant that God entered into with man, and (2) it was Christ’s Death which sealed it.

Continues after advertising

BibliaPlus

Cambridge Greek Testament Commentary

1 Corinthians 11:25

Old Testament

New Testament