1-Corinthians - 11:33



33 Therefore, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of 1-Corinthians 11:33.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
so then, my brethren, coming together to eat, for one another wait ye;
Why, my brothers, when you come together to eat, tarry one for another.
Therefore, brethren, when you come together for this meal, wait for one another.
So then, my brothers, when you come together to the holy meal of the Lord, let there be waiting for one another.
And so, my brothers, when you assemble together to eat, be attentive to one another.
Therefore, my friends, when you meet together to eat the Supper, wait for one another.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

Wherefore, my brethren From the discussion of a general doctrine, he returns to the particular subject with which he had set out, and comes to this conclusion, that equality must be observed in the Lord's Supper, that there may be a real participation, as there ought to be, and that they may not celebrate every one his own supper; and farther, that this sacrament ought not to be mixed up with common feasts.

When ye come together to eat - Professedly to eat the Lord's Supper.
Tarry one for another - Do not be guilty of disorder, intemperance, and gluttony; see the note at 1-Corinthians 11:21. Doddridge understands this of the feast that he supposes to have preceded the Lord's Supper. But the more obvious interpretation is, to refer it to the Lord's Supper itself; and to enjoin perfect order, respect, and sobriety. The idea is, that the table was common for the rich and the poor; and that the rich should claim no priority or precedence over the poor.

When ye come together to eat - The Lord's Supper, tarry one for another - do not eat and drink in parties as ye have done heretofore; and do not connect it with any other meal.

(22) Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
(22) The supper of the Lord is a common action of the whole church, and therefore there is no place for private suppers.

Wherefore, my brethren,.... Though he had said some very awful and awakening things to bring them to themselves, to reclaim them, and rectify disorders among them; yet he hoped well of them in general, and softens the severe things he had said, by calling them "brethren"; and hereby prepares them to attend to, and receive the more kindly, what he had further to say:
when ye come together to eat; that is, when ye come to the place of public worship at the usual stated time, in order to eat the Lord's supper, tarry one for another; do not begin to celebrate the ordinance until the church is met together in general, or at least till as many are got together as may be expected will come; for a church is not obliged to tarry for every individual person; nor can it be thought that every member can attend, there being various providences which may detain them: the apostle's view is to promote unity, Christian respect, and brotherly love in the ordinance; that they would sit down and join together, according to the rule of Christ, without respect to persons, or going into parties, factious, and divisions.

tarry one for another--In contrast to 1-Corinthians 11:21. The expression is not, "Give a share to one another," for all the viands brought to the feast were common property, and, therefore, they should "tarry" till all were met to partake together of the common feast of fellowship [THEOPHYLACT].

The rest - The other circumstances relating to the Lord's supper.

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