The Lord’s Supper Table as Icon for Remembrance in I Corinthians 11:17-34: An Apostolic and Patristic Reprimand for Inclusive, Christlike Table Manners

Abstract

This paper examines the “table manners” around early church practices of the Lord’s Supper Table in light of I Corinthians 11:17-34. Alongside patristic voices, Paul’s corrective reprimand in this passage demonstrates an inclusive ethic at the Lord’s Supper Table as an icon of remembrance for expressing the gospel of love embodied in the new humanity on earth as it is in heaven. First-century Greco-Roman meal practices are discussed as well as the meaning of anamnesis as “remembrance,” for a Christotelic expression in Jesus’ Last Supper as a kingdom of God prototype for early church table manners. In I Corinthians 11:17-34, the unethical table manners of the rich toward the poor are specifically highlighted by Paul and confirmed through patristic writings. By pointing back to Jesus’ Last Supper table, Paul actually collapses time to point forward, reorienting the church of Corinth to the future kingdom of God—the messianic banquet table where all would feast equitably and peaceably, with love and justice. In this way, the Lord’s Supper practice is a “re-membering” of suffering humanity, an ethic of “just hospitality.” This table represents the kenotic love of Jesus through the love of neighbour, revealing the meaning of the cross, the body and blood given for one and all, expressed through the bread and wine shared by one and all.