Twice in 1Cor does St Paul treat of the Eucharist, and both these occassions are found in contexts marked with problems within the christian community. It is not out of place to say that thanks to the difficulties of the Corinthians, we have today these fundamental texts of our faith. The first mention of the Eucharist is found in 1Cor 10:14-22 where the apostle deals with the problem of meat sacrificed to idols. To dissuade the Corinthians from idolatry, Paul stressed the sacramental value of the Lord's Supper. The Cup of Blessing is a participation in the blood of Christ; the bread which the Corinthians break is communion with the Body of Christ. Consequently everyone becomes one body, that of Christ's, because all are fed from Him alone (10:17a). The unity of believers is founded on the sacramental participation of the Body and Blood of Christ and this becomes a sign of union with Christ in the same faith. The second reference to the Eucharist is much more articulate and complex. It is found in 1Cor 11:17-34. Being informed of the grave abuses that the Corinthians had introduced into their assemblies, Paul reacted by recalling the content of tradition, or more exactly the institution of the Supper: a tradition which Paul received from the Lord and which contains the words of the institution. From this passage, we shall see how Paul underlined the essential link between the Eucharist and the Church, between the Lord's Supper and fraternal charity.

1. Context and construction  II Life Situation  III Comments   1) The abuses during the celebration of the Lord's Supper   2) The Eucharistic tradition received and transmitted by Paul   3) The unworthy manner of eating the bread and drinking the cup   * Conclusion