The Communion of the Body of Christ

All too often, Christians are guilty of believing the tradition of what has been passed down through the years about important Biblical concepts. When we don’t stop to humbly consider, “For what saith the scripture?” we end up propagating the doctrines and traditions of men for generations, placing on a pedestal what should be dutifully studied out and compared to the ultimate authority: God’s Word.  

We see this behavior surrounding an extremely controversial and important Bible topic for the Body of Christ: communion. Unfortunately, the Protestant apple doesn’t fall far from the proverbial Catholic tree regarding the doctrine of communion and one of the biggest slip-ups happens in 1 Corinthians 16:15-21. While the Catholics believe in the heretical transubstantiation of the elements, wrongly “re-crucifying Christ,” many Protestants are not much better, putting spiritual weight to physical rituals and obfuscating the complete and finished work of Christ.  

Before we dive into the passage into question, we must first define the word communion from the Bible itself, or else we are in danger of imparting our own understanding onto the word and not God’s definition. 

“[14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? [15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? [16] And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” – 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.” – 2 Corinthians 13:14

In light of these passages, it is clear to see that communion means fellowship, agreement, or concord. Communion is not a sacrament but a doctrine. This “common union” is what we have positionally as members of the Body of Christ and what we should remember and put into practice together.

Let us now unpack 1 Corinthians 16:15-21 to better understand the doctrine of communion.

“[16] The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? [17] For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread. [18] Behold Israel after the flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar? [19] What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? [20] But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils. [21] Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.” – 1 Corinthians 10:16-21

In this passage we see that the communion involves sharing in the cup of blessing and breaking bread, both symbolic of our common union and fellowship because of Christ's sacrificial blood (1Co 10:16). However, contrary to the Catholics and many Protestant denominations, it’s not about the physical elements, it is about why and how we come together: to share a meal and celebrate our unity in the body of Christ (1Co 11:17-27, Eph 3:6-9).

The bread, which we break, signifies our collective identity in Christ; though we are many members, we are one body, partakers of one bread, joined together by the redemptive work of Christ (1Co 10:17). This unity transcends all earthly barriers, creating a spiritual body of individuals made one in Christ (Rom 12:5, Gal 3:28, Col 3:11).

Paul contrasts the communion of the Body of Christ (the Lord's table) with the table of devils, drawing a line between the holy and the profane (1 Corinthians 1:20-21). In the context of the passage, meat offered to idols, though insignificant in itself under grace, represented idolatry and devilish sacrifices contrary to God (1Co 8:4, 10:27-28, Deu 32:16-17, Psa 106:35-38). There is no fellowship to be had with the table of devils; our union is exclusively with Christ and His Body. You cannot simultaneously commune with like-minded believers in pursuit of Christ while communing with unbelievers pursuing the idols of this world. While we do not withdraw from the world, we must discern and abstain from partaking in practices that symbolize allegiance to anything or anyone other than Christ (1Co 5:10). 

Communion transcends the physical elements; it is the act of remembering and practicing our oneness in Christ. It's a fellowship that commemorates the sacrifice of Christ, which united us as members of His body. When we gather to break bread, we do so not just to eat and drink but to reaffirm our unity, to remember His death, and to celebrate the new life we've been given together in Him.