1 Corinthians 10:16 kjv
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 10:16 nkjv
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 10:16 niv
Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 10:16 esv
The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 10:16 nlt
When we bless the cup at the Lord's Table, aren't we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren't we sharing in the body of Christ?
1 Corinthians 10 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Cor 10:16 | The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? | Communion in Christ's blood |
| 1 Cor 10:16 | The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? | Communion in Christ's body |
| John 6:53-56 | ...ye have no life in you. Whosoever eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life... | Assurance of life through participation |
| Acts 2:42 | And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. | Early church's practice of fellowship |
| Rom 12:5 | So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members of one another. | Unity in the body of Christ |
| Gal 3:28 | ...ye are all one in Christ Jesus. | Spiritual equality in Christ |
| Eph 4:4-6 | There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all... | Basis for unity |
| Eph 5:30 | For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. | Christ's deep union with believers |
| Heb 10:19-22 | Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus... | Access through Christ's sacrifice |
| 1 Cor 11:23-26 | For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread... | Institution of the Lord's Supper |
| Mark 14:22-25 | And as they did eat, he took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup... | Synoptic account of the Last Supper |
| Luke 22:17-20 | And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves... | Another synoptic account of the Last Supper |
| Psa 116:12-13 | What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD. | Cup symbolizing salvation |
| Psa 23:5 | Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. | Blessing and provision of God |
| Exod 24:3-8 | And Moses came and told the people all the words of the LORD... And Moses took half of the blood, and put it in basons; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar... | Covenant symbolized by blood |
| Zech 9:11 | As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit. | Blood of the covenant secures freedom |
| John 15:1-5 | I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away... | Believers are branches united to Christ |
| Col 1:18 | And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. | Christ as head of the church |
| Phil 2:1-2 | If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, by being likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. | Exhortation to unity and shared mind |
| Acts 4:32 | And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. | Early believers' shared resources |
| 1 Cor 12:12-13 | For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free... | Spiritual baptism into one body |
| 1 Cor 11:27 | Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. | Warning against unworthy participation |
1 Corinthians 10 verses
1 Corinthians 10 16 Meaning
The cup of blessing refers to the shared participation in Christ's blood, and the bread that we break signifies our shared participation in Christ's body. This act is a profound expression of unity within the body of Christ, demonstrating a shared spiritual experience.
1 Corinthians 10 16 Context
This verse appears in 1 Corinthians chapter 10, where Paul is addressing the Corinthian church's struggle with idolatry and their participation in pagan temple feasts. He is using their spiritual experiences and understanding of Old Testament Israel's history as a basis for his argument. In the preceding verses, Paul draws parallels between Israel's spiritual union with God through participation in sacred meals (like eating the sacrifices offered) and the Christian's spiritual union with Christ through the Lord's Supper. He warns them against partaking in idol feasts, which signifies fellowship with demons, and emphasizes that genuine fellowship with Christ is demonstrated through their participation in the Lord's Supper.
1 Corinthians 10 16 Word Analysis
'Hoi potērion tēs eulogias' (ὁ ποτήριον τῆς εὐλογίας):
- 'Hoi' (ὁ): The definite article, "the."
- 'potērion' (ποτήριον): "cup." In this context, it refers to the cup used in the Lord's Supper. It's more than just a container; it's symbolic of the covenant.
- 'tēs eulogias' (τῆς εὐλογίας): "of blessing." This phrase connects the cup to an act of thanksgiving and consecration, aligning with the idea of blessing God for the gift of Christ's blood. This also echoes Old Testament language of thanks and dedication.
'hou eulogoumen' (οὗ εὐλογοῦμεν):
- 'hou' (οὗ): "which." A relative pronoun.
- 'eulogoumen' (εὐλογοῦμεν): "we bless." The present active indicative of eulogeō, signifying a continuous or habitual action of blessing or giving thanks. It implies an active participation in the act of blessing.
'ouk estin koinōnia' (οὐκ ἔστιν κοινωνία):
- 'ouk' (οὐκ): "not." A strong negation.
- 'estin' (ἔστιν): "is." The third person singular present indicative of eimi, "to be."
- 'koinōnia' (κοινωνία): "fellowship," "participation," "sharing." This is a key term indicating a deep, shared communion or participation. It suggests more than mere presence; it implies a real involvement and sharing in the benefits.
'tou haimatos tou Christou' (τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ):
- 'tou' (τοῦ): The definite article, "the."
- 'haimatos' (αἵματος): "of blood." This refers to the blood of Jesus Christ shed for humanity.
- 'tou Christou' (τοῦ Χριστοῦ): "of Christ." Identifying whose blood it is, emphasizing its redemptive power and the person of Jesus Christ.
'ho arton hon klasomen' (ὁ ἄρτον ὃν κλῶμεν):
- 'ho' (ὁ): The definite article, "the."
- 'arton' (ἄρτον): "bread." Refers to the bread used in the Lord's Supper.
- 'hon' (ὃν): "which." A relative pronoun.
- 'klasomen' (κλῶμεν): "we break." The first person plural present active indicative of klaō, "to break." This highlights the physical act of breaking the bread, a crucial part of the communion. The present tense implies it was a customary practice during their gatherings.
'ouk estin koinōnia' (οὐκ ἔστιν κοινωνία):
- Repeats the phrase, reinforcing the idea of fellowship or participation.
'tou sōmatos tou Christou' (τοῦ σώματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ):
- 'tou' (τοῦ): The definite article, "the."
- 'sōmatos' (σώματος): "of body." This refers to the body of Jesus Christ.
- 'tou Christou' (τοῦ Χριστοῦ): "of Christ." Again, identifying whose body it is, signifying that through this bread, believers share in Christ's sacrifice and presence.
Phrases/Groupings Analysis:
- 'the cup of blessing which we bless': This connects the specific ritual to a broader concept of divine blessing and thanksgiving. In the Jewish context, the "cup of blessing" was used in Passover meals and expressed gratitude to God. Paul transplants this terminology into the Christian context, but now the blessing is rooted in Christ's atoning sacrifice.
- 'communion of the blood of Christ': The phrase uses the same noun for communion (koinonia) for both the cup and the bread, showing they represent the same fundamental reality: a shared participation in Christ's saving work. The "blood" is symbolic of His life given in atonement.
- 'the bread which we break': The breaking of bread was a distinct action in the early church, signifying the dismemberment or sacrifice of Christ’s body on the cross. It is the concrete, tangible sign of His broken body for us.
1 Corinthians 10 16 Bonus Section
The language of "cup of blessing" and "breaking of bread" has deep roots in Jewish practice, particularly the Passover Seder. Jesus adapted these elements during the Last Supper to signify His sacrificial death. The Corinthian believers, having come from a background rich in ritual and symbolic actions, needed to understand the distinctiveness and transformative power of the Christian rite. The emphasis on koinōnia underscores the relational and participatory nature of faith; Christians are not merely observers but active participants in the saving work of Christ, bound together by His sacrifice.
1 Corinthians 10 16 Commentary
Paul argues that the act of the Lord's Supper is a direct communion with Christ Himself. The cup they share after blessing is not merely symbolic but a true participation in the very blood of Christ, representing His sacrifice that seals the new covenant. Similarly, the bread they break signifies their sharing in His body, broken for them. This participation unites believers with Christ and with one another as members of His one body, the Church. To participate in the Lord's Supper is to affirm and experience this profound spiritual union, making it impossible to also share in "fellowship with demons" through idolatry, as Paul warned earlier.