Before coming to the actual disorders in the observation of the Lord’s Table, Paul makes some remarks in verses 17-19 which we will treat separately. Having said that he praises them in verse 2, Paul now comes to a matter about which he has no praise to offer. Rather he sternly rebukes them but softens it a little by putting it in the negative form. There coming together as an assembly of the saints was not for their betterment but proved to be for their deterioration. Consider:—
I. SOME TRUTHS ABOUT CHRISTIAN CHURCH FELLOWSHIP
1. The nature of Church fellowship. Three times Paul speaks of their assemblies as a coming together, 17, 18, 20. Scattered by our duties and responsibilities during the week, we come together as a unit in worship. We belong to each other and with each other.
2. Such gatherings are intended for our betterment. It ought to leave us on a higher plane and strengthened, (Better — Phil 1:23). How often that end is not accomplished in us because we, like the Corinthians, rob ourselves of these blessings by wrong attitudes and actions during our coming together.
3. We are here reminded that the church is the body of believers who assembly. It is not the building in which they assembly. It is like calling the house in which you live by your family name. Better if we referred to this building as the meeting house of the church.
4. We are further reminded that an assembly may be divided and in error and yet still be referred to as a church of God. 1:2. What patience the Lord shows with His people. We must not disown and denounce a people before God has done so.
II. DIVISIONS AMONGST GOD’S PEOPLE
Paul says: For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you, 19. The word heresy is derived from the storming of a city and the taking over of it. Divisions come about when the mind and heart has been taken captive by a falsehood, an error. The word division means a rent or a tear, Matt 9:16. Such divisions are inevitable, Matt 18:7, I Peter 2:1-2.
1. The flesh within us is a cause of division. Beware of the proud, selfish motions of the old nature Christian. It will, given a chance, split the church of God. Follow the counsel of the Lord, Matt 18:8-9.
2. The insincere amongst us will cause divisions. By that I mean, those who are not truly saved. They will object to the ways of God being followed having their own course to follow. And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? Numbers 11:4. That multitude had joined with them from the first, Exodus 12:38.
3. The providential use of divisions. They cause the genuine believer to be made manifest or plainly recognised and known. The word approved means genuine. It was used of money changers who dealt only in money that was of full weight and not counterfeit. When error arises the genuine believer shall show himself by rejecting it. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us, I John 2:19. It is the fire by which the genuine is tested, James 1:12. Those who cause divisions should be shunned, Rom 16:17. They are not the friends of Christ.
III. THE SHAME THAT SUCH ACTIONS BRING UPON THE CAUSE OF CHRIST
1. They were corrupting the Supper of the Lord. It was made to resemble a heathen feast, 21. They celebrated the grace and mercy of Christ by a display of greed and pride. How timely to think upon this at this time of the year!!
2. The ordinance was thus overthrown. Verse 20. Rome teaches that the actions of the priest do not inviolate his office! OT priests, Num 19:13.
3. The shame that was brought upon Christ's people. Verse 22. None should be made to feel ashamed in God's house except with regard to their sins before God. Social distinctions ought not to be found in God's house.