Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Corinthians 11:20

20 When ye come together therefore into one place , this is not to eat the Lords supper .

The Greek words do not necessarily signifie into one place, they may as well be translated for the same thing, and possibly that were the better translation of them in this place. Divisions appearing the worse amongst persons that met as one and the same Body, and for one and the same grave action, and that such an action, as declared them one Body, and laid upon them the highest obligation to brotherly love imaginable.

Some words must be here supplied to compleat the sense. This is not to eat, that is, as you do it, is indeed not to do it; to eat the Lords Supper in an unlawful manner, is not to eat it. It is called the Lords Supper, either because he ordained and instituted it, or because it was instituted for the remembrance of his Death, v. 26. Luke 22.19. Some think that the Sacrament of the Lords Supper is here meant, and so one would think, by comparing what is here with v. 23, 24. Others say, That the Love-feast is here intended, which ordinarily preceded the Lords Supper; the reason they give, is, Because the abuses here mentioned, viz. not staying one for another till the whole Church were met, one eating plentifully, another sparingly; some being hungry whiles others had ate and drank enough, could not be at the Lords Supper, where the Minister beginneth not till the whole Church be assembled, and where there is no such liberal eating and drinking. To this purpose we are told, That by an ancient custom in Greece (within which Corinth was) the rich men offered some things to their Idols (which after that action the poor had for their relief) and made Feasts in the Idols Temples, of which all had a liberty to eat. That the Christians imitated this practice of theirs, and the rich amongst them upon the Lords Days made Feasts, at which both poor and rich Christians might be, and the poor carried away what was left. But this Church growing corrupt every way, and having got Teachers to their humors, they at these Feasts neglected the poor, inviting only the rich to them, and also exceeding in their provision for their rich Guests. These Feasts were called Feasts of Love, or Love-feasts, either because, 1. Love to God was that which (pretendedly at least) caused them. 2. Or because they were representations of our Lords last Supper, in which he first ate the Paschal Lamb, then instituted what we call the Lords Supper; or because they immediately preceded or followed the administration of the Lords Supper, from whence the Love-feast being immediately before or after it, had also the same name. But if we allow this, we must make the Love-feasts also Christs Institution, and instituted in remembrance of him, neither of which can be proved. The meaning must be, you cannot rightly communicate at the Lords Table, when immediately before or after that Table at your Love-feast, you are guilty of such disorderly actions. In the mean time, only what Christ instituted for remembrance of his Death, is what the Apostle calls, The Lords Supper.

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