1 Corinthians 11:27

and drink this cup Literally, or drink the cup. Many Protestant translators have evaded the force of the or, from a fear lest they should thereby be countenancing the denial of the Cup to the laity. See Alford, Stanley, Meyer, De Wette, who, while rejecting a rendering clearly incorrect, point out that the fear which prompted it was quite needless. Calvin renders boldly by aut; Wiclif and Tyndale by or. See also note on 1 Corinthians 11:25.

unworthily "Not merely," says Estius, "with a mind distracted by worldly thoughts, though that is not to be commended, but in an irreverent spirit," in a frame of mind unsuitable to so solemn an act; without faith in, or a thankful remembrance of, the great mystery therein commemorated; and, above all, in a spirit which regarded what is essentially the Supper of the Lordas a supper of one's own, and therefore as one at which it was lawful to be selfish, or intemperate, or both.

shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord Either (1) shall be punishable for -crucifying the Son of God afresh, and putting Him to an open shame" (Hebrews 6:6), "as though thou thyself didst shed the blood," Theophylact; or (2) for committing an offence against the Body and Blood of Christ, since "the participation presupposes a moral condition which must be in keeping with this most sacred commemoration; but if the condition of the communicant be of an opposite kind, then the holy Body and Blood, into communion with which we enter through such participation, can only be abused and profaned." Meyer. The word here translated guilty(reus, Vulgate) signifies the condition in which a man becomes amenableto punishment. Cf. Matthew 5:21-22, where the word is translated in dangerof the judgment, council, hell-fire (see also Mark 3:29), and Matthew 26:66, guilty of death, i.e. of a capital crime. James 2:10, guiltyof all, i.e. liable to the same penalty as though he had broken all.