1 Corinthians 11:25 meaning summary explained with word-by-word analysis enriched with context, commentary and Cross References from KJV, NIV, ESV and NLT.
1 Corinthians 11:25 kjv
After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
1 Corinthians 11:25 nkjv
In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
1 Corinthians 11:25 niv
In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me."
1 Corinthians 11:25 esv
In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."
1 Corinthians 11:25 nlt
In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant between God and his people ? an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it."
1 Corinthians 11 25 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 26:27-28 | And he took a cup... and said, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant..." | Parallel account: institution of the New Covenant in Christ's blood. |
| Mk 14:23-24 | And he took a cup... “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.” | Parallel account: establishes covenant in blood, for many. |
| Lk 22:20 | And likewise the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood..." | Closest parallel to Paul's account; emphasizes "new covenant." |
| Jer 31:31-34 | "Behold, the days are coming...when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel..." | Prophecy of the New Covenant, fulfilled by Christ. |
| Ex 24:6-8 | Moses...took the blood and threw it on the people and said, “This is the blood of the covenant..." | Old Covenant established by blood, foreshadowing the New. |
| Lev 17:11 | For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it for you on the altar to make atonement | Blood signifies life and atonement; crucial for covenant sacrifice. |
| Heb 8:6-13 | ...Jesus has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent as the covenant he mediates is better | Jesus as mediator of the superior New Covenant prophesied by Jeremiah. |
| Heb 9:11-15 | ...with his own blood, he entered once for all into the holy places, thus securing eternal redemption | Christ's blood as the superior, single sacrifice ratifying the covenant. |
| Heb 10:1-18 | ...when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand.. | Christ's single sacrifice fulfills and perfects the Old Covenant's types. |
| Rom 3:25 | ...God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood... | Justification and atonement made possible through Christ's blood. |
| Rom 5:9 | ...having now been justified by his blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through him. | Believers' justification and salvation secured by Christ's blood. |
| Eph 1:7 | In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses... | Redemption and forgiveness are granted through Christ's blood. |
| Col 1:20 | ...and through him to reconcile to himself all things...by making peace through the blood of his cross | Reconciliation and peace established through the cross's bloody sacrifice. |
| 1 Pet 1:18-19 | ...but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. | Believers redeemed by the precious, spotless blood of Christ. |
| Rev 1:5 | To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood... | Christ's blood secures liberation from sins. |
| Rev 5:9 | "Worthy are you...for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God..." | Christ's blood purchased people from every nation for God. |
| Ex 12:14 | “This day shall be to you a memorial...you shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord...” | Passover as a memorial, echoing "remembrance." |
| Ps 116:13 | I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord. | The cup often signifies blessing and salvation. |
| 1 Cor 11:26 | For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. | Connects remembrance to active proclamation of Christ's death. |
| Jude 1:21 | Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal | Calls for constant waiting and hope in the Lord's future coming. |
1 Corinthians 11 verses
1 Corinthians 11 25 meaning
This verse proclaims the institution of the New Covenant through the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ, as symbolized by the cup during the Last Supper. It declares that the cup represents the ratified agreement between God and humanity, now established not by animal sacrifices or human obedience to a law, but by Christ's own blood shed for the forgiveness of sins and new life. The verse further mandates the regular observance of this act by believers as a profound spiritual act of remembering and proclaiming Jesus' sacrificial death and its ongoing saving power until His return.
1 Corinthians 11 25 Context
First Corinthians chapter 11 addresses proper conduct in public worship, specifically concerning head coverings for women and the administration of the Lord's Supper. Paul corrects abuses regarding the latter, as the Corinthian believers were treating the meal as a common dinner, characterized by divisions, social inequality, and drunkenness, rather than a sacred commemoration of Christ's sacrifice. He emphasizes that the Supper is a sacred event by reminding them of its divine institution, passed down from Jesus himself (1 Cor 11:23-26), urging them to discern its true meaning and observe it reverently, with a right attitude. Historically, this institution occurred during a Passover Seder, imbuing the new covenant with deep Jewish ceremonial roots while transforming their meaning. The "after supper" timing points to the Seder's traditional final cup.
1 Corinthians 11 25 Word analysis
- In the same way also he took the cup: This phrase (ὁμοίως καὶ τὸ ποτήριον, homoiōs kai to potērion) links the institution of the cup directly with the previously described institution of the bread (v. 23-24), indicating their integral connection and forming two distinct, yet complementary, elements of the Lord's Supper. It emphasizes the sequential nature within the Passover Seder framework and underscores the consistency of Christ's actions.
- after supper: (μετὰ τὸ δειπνῆσαι, meta to deipnēsai) This signifies that the institution of the cup took place following the main portion of the meal, consistent with the sequence of the traditional Jewish Passover Seder where the third or fourth cup, known as the cup of redemption or blessing, was consumed at the conclusion of the meal. This timing highlights its significance as the culminating act.
- saying,: (λέγων, legōn) Introduces a solemn declaration, an authoritative statement from Jesus, which imparts the definitive meaning and purpose to the cup. It is a divine utterance, establishing a new reality.
- 'This cup is: (Τοῦτο τὸ ποτήριον, Touto to potērion) The demonstrative "this" emphasizes the specific cup in His hands. "Is" (ἐστιν, estin) functions as a statement of identification, not merely representation. The cup itself refers metaphorically to its contents (the wine) and, by extension, to what the wine symbolizes.
- the new covenant: (ἡ καινὴ διαθήκη, hē kainē diathēkē)
- καινὴ (kainē): "New" here means new in quality and nature, fresh and unprecedented, rather than merely neos (new in time). It signifies a superior covenant, a qualitative departure from the Old Covenant, establishing a fundamentally different relationship with God.
- διαθήκη (diathēkē): "Covenant" implies a binding, solemn agreement, especially one initiated by God. In ancient cultures, covenants were ratified through sacrifices, with blood signifying the commitment and life exchanged. This term encompasses God's unilateral gracious initiative to establish a relationship.
- in my blood.: (ἐν τῷ ἐμῷ αἵματι, en tō emō haimati)
- ἐμῷ (emō): "My" underscores the personal nature of Christ's sacrifice; it is His unique, divine-human blood that ratifies this covenant.
- αἵματι (haimati): "Blood" is the life force (Lev 17:11) and, in Old Testament sacrifices, represented atonement for sin and the seal of a covenant (Ex 24:8). Here, it is the ultimate, perfect atoning sacrifice of Christ, by which the new covenant is sealed, sins are forgiven, and new life is granted. It is the very foundation of the New Covenant's power and validity.
- Do this,: (Τοῦτο ποιεῖτε, Touto poieite) A direct imperative, a command from Christ Himself, establishing a ritual practice. It demands continuous, repeated action, making this remembrance an ongoing obligation for His followers.
- as often as you drink it,: (ὁσάκις ἐὰν πίνητε, hosakis ean pinēte) This phrase confirms the intended regularity and ongoing nature of the observance. It's not a one-time event but a repeated sacred act. The frequency is not prescribed daily or weekly, but "as often as" it is celebrated by the community.
- in remembrance of me.': (εἰς τὴν ἐμὴν ἀνάμνησιν, eis tēn emēn anamnēsin)
- ἀνάμνησιν (anamnēsin): "Remembrance" or "memorial." This is more than mere mental recall of a past event. In the Septuagint and Jewish thought (e.g., Passover Seder), anamnesis has a cultic and performative aspect. It means to "re-present" or "make present" the saving power and effects of a past event, bringing its reality into the present for the participants. It is a vivid and active engagement with Christ's sacrifice.
- ἐμὴν (emēn): "Me" clarifies the object of remembrance—Christ himself, His person, and especially His atoning death.