1 Corinthians 11:23-26

1 Corinthians 11:23-26
Maundy Thursday ABC

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23 For I received from the LordA what I also handed onB to you, that the Lord JesusC on the night when he was betrayedD took a loaf of bread, 

Notes on verse 23

A “Lord” = kurios. From kuros (authority, supremacy). This is a respectful address meaning master or sir. It refers to one who has control or power greater than one’s own. So, it was also applied to God and Jesus as Master or Lord.
B “handed on” = paradidomi. From para (from beside, by) + didomi (give, offer, place, bestow, deliver; give in a literal or figurative sense). This is literally to hand over – hence to deliver, abandon, or betray. It implies a personal involvement.
C “Jesus” = iesous.From Hebrew Yehoshua (Joshua, the Lord is salvation); {from YHVH (proper name of the God of Israel; the self-existent and eternal one); {from havah (to become) or from hayah (to come to pass, become, be)} + yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue; properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. So, in a causative sense, this is to free someone). This is Jesus or Joshua in Greek – the Lord saves or the Lord is salvation.
D “betrayed” = paradidomi. Same as “handed on” in v23.

24 and when he had given thanks,E he broke it and said, “This is my bodyF that is forG you. Do this in remembranceH of me.” 

Notes on verse 24

E “given thanks” = eucharisteo. From eu (good, well, well done, rightly) + charis (grace, kindness, favor, gratitude, thanks; being inclined to or favorable towards – leaning towards someone to share some good or benefit; literal, figurative, or spiritual; grace as abstract concept, manner, or action); {from chairo (to rejoice, be glad; used to say hello; properly, delighting in the grace of God or experiencing God’s favor); from char– (to extend favor, lean towards, be inclined to be favorable towards)}. This is giving thanks, being thankful. It is a recognition that God’s grace is good and actively showing gratitude. It can also be used for saying grace before eating. This is where “eucharist” comes from.
F “body” = soma. Perhaps from sozo (to save, heal, rescue); from sos (safe, well, rescued). This is body or flesh. It can be body in a literal or figurative sense (as the body of Christ). This is where the word “somatic” comes from.
G “for” = huper. This is over, beyond, above. It can also mean on behalf of or for the sake of. Figuratively, it can be used for giving help to someone.
H “remembrance” = anamnesis. 4x in NT. From anamimnesko (to remind, admonish; to follow the path of memory); {from ana (up, again, among, anew) + mimnesko (to remind or remember; memory through an active, intentional process or being mindful; not incidentally or accidentally remembering); {from mnaomai (to remember; by implication give reward or consequence); perhaps from meno (to stay, abide, wait, endure)}}. This is intentional remembering to re-experience the effect of the event. It is active, motivated as a memorial.

25 In the same way he took the cupI also, after supper, saying, “This cup is the newJ covenantK in my blood.L Do this, as often as you drinkM it, in remembrance of me.”  26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaimN the Lord’s death until he comes.

Notes on verses 25-26

I “cup” = poterion. From pino (to drink literally or figuratively). This is a drinking vessel. Figuratively, it can refer to one’s lot, to fate, or to what God has in store for you.
J “new” = kainos. This is not new as in new versus old. This is new in the sense of novel, innovative, or fresh.
K “covenant” = diatheke. From diatithemi (to place separately – to make a will or covenant; this is arranging ahead of time how things will be accomplished); {from dia (through, because of, across, thoroughly) + tithemi (to put, place, set, fix, establish in a literal or figurative sense; properly, this is placing something in a passive or horizontal position)}. This is a will, covenant, contract, or agreement.
L “blood” = haima. This is blood in a literal sense as bloodshed. Figuratively, it can also be used to refer to wine or to kinship (being related).
M “drink” = pino. Related to “cup” in v25. See note I above.
N “proclaim” = kataggello. 18x in NT. From kata (down, against, according to, throughout, among, daily) + aggello (to announce, report) {from aggelos (angel, messenger – supernatural or human envoy of God); probably from ago (lead, bring, drive, carry, guide, go)}. This is to proclaim openly and confidently a very specific message. It can also be celebrate, preach, or teach.


Image Credit: “Last Supper” by Károly Kernstok, 1921.

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