1 Corinthians 11:34

If any man is hungry, let him eat at home; that your coming together be not unto judgment. And the rest will. set in order whensoever. come.

'If any man is hungry' -any feast that was to satisfy hunger is to be observed at home first.

'any man' -this applied to all, rich and poor. Therefore, the apostle Paul did not recognize the idea that the early church was supposed to have. meal during services at which the rich shared their food with the poor. Which means that the statment, "wait for another" in 1 Corinthians 11:33 cannot be interpreted as meaning, "you rich people wait for the poor until you begin the potluck."

'let him at home' -i.e. wherever home was. This didn't apply only to those who owned homes. The slave was to eat at home first also, i.e. in the home of his master.

'that' -the purpose for this instruction.

'your coming together' -when you assemble.

'be not unto judgement' -'you must not gather, only to incur condemnation.' (Mof)

Point to Note:

In view of this last statement, why would any Christians advocate that the church should build kitchens and banquet rooms in the structure that it uses to hold it's worship services, including the Lord's Supper?

'And the rest. will set in order whensoever. come' -'he has found much fault with this church, but he has not told all.' (Robertson p. 166) 'There are other questions which. shall try to settle in person when. come.' (Nor)

CONCLUDING REMARKS:

1. Those that try to use the "love feast" which many commentators refer to, in order to justify "fellowship meals or fellowship halls" find themselves with many problems.

a. This chapter removes whatever was going on at Corinth (whether. meal which the Lord's Supper followed or the Lord's Supper that had been made into. meal) from the assembly. (1 Corinthians 11:22)

b. Supposedly the "love feast" was. meal in which the wealthier members of the congregation brought enough portions for themselves and the poor, i.e.. meal that was more benevolent than recreational. Most modern fellowship meals fail to find. parallel, seeing that most of them serve no benevolent purpose. And in other cases, either the church picks up the tab for the meal, or actual admission is charged, i.e. the meal is used to raise funds for some church project.

2. And conservative members of the Church of Christ, haven't been the first individuals to see this:

'Years ago, John Calvin commented, "We know what the Church ought to meet together to do; to hear teaching; to pour out prayers and sing hymns to God; to celebrate the mysteries (the Lord's Supper); to make confession of our faith; to take part in religious rites and other godly exercises. Anything else that is done there is out of place. Each person has. home of his own, which is intended for him to eat in and drink in; it is therefore improper to do these things in the gathering for worship."' (Willis pp. 408-409)