What is the difference between the Eucharist and the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians?

The Eucharist and the Lord’s Supper are two terms that are often used interchangeably to refer to the Christian practice of commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus. However, in the context of 1 Corinthians, there seems to be a distinction between the two. Here, we’ll explore the difference between the Eucharist and the Lord’s Supper as presented in 1 Corinthians.

In 1 Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian church’s practice of the Lord’s Supper, which he refers to as “the Lord’s Supper” (verse 20). He goes on to describe how the Corinthians were not properly discerning the body and blood of Christ in the bread and wine, leading to ill health and even death among them (verses 27-30).

However, in the preceding verses (verses 23-26), Paul uses the term “Eucharist” to describe the same event. He writes, “For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks (eucharistesas), he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.’”

So, what is the difference between the Eucharist and the Lord’s Supper in 1 Corinthians? One interpretation is that the Eucharist refers specifically to the act of giving thanks (eucharistesas) for the bread and wine, while the Lord’s Supper refers to the entire event of commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus.

Another interpretation is that the Eucharist emphasizes the sacrificial aspect of the bread and wine, while the Lord’s Supper emphasizes the communal aspect of the event. In the Eucharistic prayer, the bread and wine are understood to be transformed into the body and blood of Christ, which are offered as a sacrifice to God. In the Lord’s Supper, on the other hand, the emphasis is on sharing a meal together as a community of believers, in remembrance of the sacrifice of Christ.

It is important to note, however, that these interpretations are not mutually exclusive, and there is significant overlap between the two terms. The Eucharist and the Lord’s Supper are both expressions of the same event: the Last Supper of Jesus, in which he offered his body and blood as a sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins. Both practices involve the sharing of bread and wine, and both emphasize the importance of remembrance and communal fellowship.