1 Corinthians 11:33Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

While the feeling of fear was still alive, and the dreadful thought of Gehenna had not yet passed, he again gives instruction concerning the poor. It was on their account that he had said all the foregoing. He teaches that those who do not fulfill this are unworthy of communion. If those who do not share from their own possessions are excluded from the table of the Lord, how much more those who steal. He did not say, “When you gather, distribute to the poor,” but something higher: “Wait for one another.” By these words he both covertly taught care for the poor and offered the exhortation in a fitting form. Then he puts them to shame:

He returned again to the matter of the poor after mentioning punishments and death. He did not say, “Distribute to one another,” but, “Wait.” In this way he showed that what is brought there is common, and that one must wait for the common assembly.

The Apostle instructs them to wait for one another, so that the offering of all may take place at once, and so that there may be one service for all. But if anyone is impatient, let him be filled at home with earthly bread. “So that you may not come together for judgment.” That is, so that you may not perform the mystery in a reprehensible manner and with scandal.

For it was not possible to write about everything. Having written at greater length about what was necessary, the Apostle reserved the rest until his arrival. Let us also draw profit from this. Let us flee everything that harms the faith, and let us take care to show concern for the poor. Having first cleansed our conscience, let us then partake of the Divine Mysteries, so that we may receive within ourselves the good Master who comes to dwell in us. To Him, with the Father and the all-holy Spirit, be glory and majesty, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

What orders does the Apostle establish at the agape meals? (1 Cor 11:33-34).

“Therefore, my brethren, when you come together for the supper, wait for one another” (1 Cor 11:33). “By the word ‘wait,’ he showed that what is brought into the assembly is common property, and that it must be eaten together with all” (Theophylact).

“But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home,” that is, let him finish eating after the supper at home, “lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.” The Apostle does not explain what this intended ordering concerned. This is not what is important for us in the apostolic words. What is important? It is that one cannot fail to see from them that everything essential in Church order comes from the Apostles.

Teaching how one must behave at the agape meals, the Apostle first advises the Corinthians to have patience in eating, waiting until the poor have the opportunity to share the meal. Then he teaches them to eat without greed, not for mere satiety, or even to satisfy hunger, but with awareness of the Christian sacred meaning of this meal as spiritual communion with the brethren.

Therefore, whoever simply wants to eat may do so at home. He must not violate the holiness of God’s temple and all that has gradually been established in it in seemly order by the Apostles, not so much in writing as through conversation and oral instruction.

Although only waiting for others is mentioned here, meaning not to hurry to eat and not to get ahead of anyone, it also teaches that they should not eat alone, but share with all.

“Again he offers instruction concerning the poor, on account of whom he said everything that preceded. He suggests that those who do not fulfill this are unworthy of communion. He did not say: when you come together, give a portion to the poor. He spoke more exaltedly: wait for one another. By these words he both covertly taught care for the poor and offered an exhortation in a form suited to the matter” (St. Chrysostom).

“By the word ‘wait,’ he showed that what is brought into the assembly is common property, and that it must be eaten together with all” (Theophylact).