A Sanctuary of Silent Remembrance

"For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep" (1 Co 11:30).

What "cause"? eating and drinking "unworthily," i.e., "not discerning the Lord's body" (cf. 1 Co 11:29).

It is not a matter of being worthy. If we waited to partake until worthy, we would never partake, for He alone is worthy.

"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" (1Co 11:27).

Likewise, it is not a matter of sin¹ in this context, but rather the "manner" in which the believer eats and drinks, i.e., "in remembrance" of the Lord's body, blood, and death "till He come".

"But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup" (1 Co 11:28).

That is, let each believer examine the "thoughts and intents" of his heart as he partakes, not necessarily the "sin" for which the Father has already made Him to be sin.

How is the Body of Christ to "worthily" discern the Lord's body and death? The Old Testament, written for our instruction, is replete with sanguineous offerings both corporate and individual. Our corresponding corporate remembrance is obviously addressed when coming together to partake of the Lord's Supper.

 However, there must also be a time for "individual" Spirit lead remembrance, i.e., "a moment of silence" un-transgressed by word or song or cord or the twang of a string for each believer before collectively partaking of the bread and wine!

Could omission of this "solitary sanctuary of silent remembrance" be the reason that "many are weak and sickly... and many sleep"?

"... your body is a sanctuary of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God..." (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:19).


¹The NIV translation of 1Co 11:27 incorrectly references "sin" the ESV, NAS, KJV, and Darby do not.