1 Corinthians 11:17

But in giving you this charge,. praise you not, that ye come together not for the better but for the worse.

'in giving you this charge' -'this instruction' (NASV). 'It can refer to the instructions found in 1 Corinthians 11:2-16 or what follows.' (Willis p. 389) 'And, while instructing you, let me mention one thing about which. cannot give you praise.' (Nor)

'I praise you not' -frank and to the point. Paul refuses to hand out praise which doesn't reflect the reality of the situation. Paul and Jesus both realized that there is. time when "encouragement" won't work and when "rebuke" is needed. (2 Timothy 4:2; Revelation Chapter s 2-3)

'that ye come together' -often mentioned in this context. (1 Corinthians 11:18) When the Church assembles. 'The Corinthian problem was not their failure to gather, but their failure to truly to be God's new people when they gathered.' (Fee p. 536)

Point to Note:

If Paul sternly rebukes Christians that were 'gathering together', and so does Jesus (Revelation Chapter s 2-3). Then how does God feel about those Christians that don't even have enough motivation to 'gather' on. regular basis? At least the Corinthians were gathering! And yet, they were sternly rebuked.

'not for the better but for the worse' -i.e. in such. way that they were doing more harm than good.

Points to Note:

1. This is not the first time that the public worship of God because of human "tinkering" and "abuse" has resulted in more harm than good. (Genesis 4:3 ff; Leviticus 10:1; Malachi 1:6; Ecclesiastes 2:1)

2. Some are under the mistaken impression that no possible evil or harm can be found in. worship service. Such is false. In fact, worshipping God can be hazardous to your health. If you are ignoring His instructions, stubbornly holding to sin at the same time (Proverbs 15:8; Proverbs 28:9); simply going through the motions (Matthew 6:7; Matthew 15:8); from wrong motives (Matthew 6:1); or following the rules of men instead of the will of God. (Matthew 15:9) Sin can be committed in the very act of worshipping God. (1 Corinthians 11:27) Religious people can assemble to worship God and instead of gaining God's favor, they can bring upon themselves condemnation. (1 Corinthians 11:34)

3. God is not obligated to accept everything that man deems to be worship!

4. The worship services of the local congregation should result in "good". Something is wrong if the assemblies of the Church are failing to "edify", i.e. spiritually build up it's members. (Hebrews 10:22; 1 Corinthians 14:26)

A word of warning here exists for congregations which are so caught up in strife, that the service times are dreaded instead of cherished.

Paul now will explain "how" the assemblies of the church in Corinth were resulting in more harm than good.