Let a man examine himself

“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” 1 Corinthians 11:28

Verse 28 begins with the word “But,” placing what Paul is about to say over against and in contrast to what he has just said – the church member is encouraged to participate, and to participate in a way that is discerning and knowing “of the body and blood of the Lord.”

I. Let a man examine himself.

“Examine” – to observe, test, inquire, investigate, inspect or scrutinize carefully. 1 Corinthians 9:3; 2 Corinthians 13:5

• Where do we do this? “when ye come together in the church” 11:18.
• Who is doing this? “the church of God which is at Corinth” “in the church” “you” 1:2; 11:18, 23.
• What are we doing? “this is my body, which is broken for you...This cup is the new testament in my blood” 11:24-25.
• Why are we doing this? “ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” 11:26.
• When do we do this? “as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup” 11:26.

II. So let him eat.

“So” – in such manner; in the way or manner indicated or described. John 3:18; Luke 12:28

• Where do we do this? “when ye come together in the church” 11:18.
• Who is doing this? “the church of God which is at Corinth” “in the church” “you” 1:2; 11:18, 23.
• What are we doing? “this is my body, which is broken for you...This cup is the new testament in my blood” 11:24-25.
• Why are we doing this? “ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come” 11:26.
• When do we do this? “as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup” 11:26.

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Note: A true “Open Communion” finds in this statement (verse 28) their one and only restriction from eating the Lord’s supper. The opinion of the independent individual becomes the be-all and end-all of whether or not one takes communion. However, the purpose of Paul is not to restrict a prospective participant from eating, but to prepare and encourage “so” one (of the “you” to whom he is writing) may eat – that is, eat in such a manner as Paul has just described and taught.