Reference: Eucharist
Hastings
This is the earliest title for the sacrament of the body and blood of Christ. It is found in Ignatius and the Didache, and is based upon the eucharistia or giving of thanks with which our Lord set apart the bread and wine at the Last Supper as memorials of Himself (Mt 26:27; Lu 22:17,19; 1Co 11:24). The name Lord's Supper, though legitimately derived from 1Co 11:20, is not there applied to the sacrament itself, but to the Love-feast or Agape, a meal commemorating the Last Supper, and not yet separated from the Eucharist when St. Paul wrote. The irregularities rebuked by the Apostle (1Co 11:21,29) are such as could only have accompanied the wider celebration, and doubtless contributed to the speedy separation of the essential rite from the unnecessary accessories. The title Communion comes from 1Co 10:16, where, however, the word is a predicate not used technically. The breaking of (the) bread (Ac 2:42,46) probably refers to the Eucharist (cf. Ac 20:7; Lu 24:35?), but until modern times does not seem to have been adopted as a title.
1. The institution is recorded by each of the Synoptic Gospels, but not by St. John. A fourth account appears in 1 Corinthians.
As they were eating, he took bread, and when he had blessed, he brake it, and gave to them, and said. Take ye: this is my body. And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the covenant, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it; and he gave to the disciples, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took a cup, and gave thanks, and gave to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is shed for many unto remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
Lu 22:14-20.
When the hour was come, he sat down, and the apostles with him. And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not eat it, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. And he received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: for I say unto you, I will not drink from henceforth of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body [which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. And the cup in like manner after supper, saying. This cup is the new covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you].
I received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, how that the Lord Jesus in the night in which he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said. This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me. In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
A comparison shows variations of minor importance between Mark and Matthew. But the most remarkable differences are those of Luke, which mentions what is apparently a second cup. It seems scarcely credible that at a supreme moment, like that in which a sacred rite was being established, our Lord should have created the possibility of confusion by solemnly delivering two of the Paschal cups, dividing between them the words which, according to the other Synoptics, belong, as it would seem appropriately, to one. Nor, if He were about to ballow a succeeding cup as Eucharistic, is it likely that He would have spoken of the fulfilment of the Paschal wine in relation to another (Lu 22:17). In spite, therefore, of the fact that the majority of MSS and Versions favour its inclusion, Westcott and Hort are probably right in regarding the passage inclosed in brackets above as an interpolation. With this omitted, the narrative is assimilated to the other Synoptics. The inversion of bread and cup, which now becomes apparent and which probably belongs not to Luke but to his source, is perhaps due to the fact that the writer, dwelling on the Lord's intention that the Passover should be fulfilled in a Messianic rite, records at the opening of his narrative a declaration similar to that which Matthew and Mark assign to a later stage, the delivery of the cup (Mt 26:29; Mr 14:25). These words, though referring more particularly to the Eucharistic bread, yet, as extending to the whole meal ('this passover'), require no mention of the action that would accompany them; whereas the companion statement concerning the fruit of the vine (Lu 22:18) necessitates the mention of the cup (Lu 22:17). The first half of Lu 22:19 (the consecration of the bread), which, if the account were symmetrical, would appear (as arranged in Rush-brooke's Synopticon) before Lu 22:15, is then added to complete the institution. A copyist, assuming a part of the narrative to be wanting, would then introduce, probably from a contemporary liturgical formula, the second half of Lu 22:19 and Lu 22:20, which bear a striking resemblance to the Pauline account, of which Luke is otherwise independent. A similar inversion is found in the sub-Apostolic Teaching of the Apostles.
2. From the Synoptic record the following inferences may be drawn: (1) The words of institution cannot themselves determine the meaning of the rite. Luke (unless v. 20 be genuine) omits 'This is my blood of the covenant.' [Notice also that the other traditional form varies the phrase
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said: Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: Do you all drink of it:
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying: Do you all drink of it: for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many in order to the remission of sins.
for this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many in order to the remission of sins. But I say to you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, till that day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.
But I say to you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, till that day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father.
And he appointed twelve, that they should be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
And while they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said: Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them; and they all drank of it. read more. And he said to them: This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many. Verily I say to you, I shall drink no more of the fruit of the vine, till that day when I shall drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Verily I say to you, I shall drink no more of the fruit of the vine, till that day when I shall drink it new in the kingdom of God.
And when the hour had come, he reclined at table, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said to them: I have greatly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.
And he said to them: I have greatly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer.
And he said to them: I have greatly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer. For I say to you, I will eat of it no more till it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God. read more. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said: Take this, and divide it among yourselves;
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said: Take this, and divide it among yourselves;
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said: Take this, and divide it among yourselves;
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said: Take this, and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine till the kingdom of God has come.
for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine till the kingdom of God has come. And he took bread, and gave thanks; and he broke, and gave it to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me.
And he took bread, and gave thanks; and he broke, and gave it to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me.
And he took bread, and gave thanks; and he broke, and gave it to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me.
And he took bread, and gave thanks; and he broke, and gave it to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me. In like manner also, the cup, after he had supped, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.
In like manner also, the cup, after he had supped, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you. But, behold, the hand of him that delivers me up is with me on the table.
And there had been also a contention among them, which of them was thought to be the greatest. And he said to them: The kings of the nations have dominion over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called benefactors. read more. But you shall not be so; but let the greatest among you be as the younger, and him that is chief, as he that serves. For which is greater, he that reclines at table, or he that serves? Is not he that reclines at table? But I am among you as one that serves. You are they that have continued with me in my trials; and I appoint to you a kingdom, as my Father has appointed to me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And the Lord said: Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded you apostles for himself, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith fail not. And when you have turned to me again, strengthen your brethren. And he said to him: Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both to prison and to death. He replied: I tell you, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day before you have three times denied that you know me.
And they told what had taken place on the way, and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.
The Jews, therefore, contended among themselves, saying: How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then Jesus said to them: Verily, verily I say to you, Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you have no life in you. read more. He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood, has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day; for my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eats my flesh and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him. As the living Father has sent me, and I live by the Father, so he that eats me, even he shall live by me. This is the bread that came down from heaven; not as your fathers ate the manna, and died; he that eats this bread shall live forever.
It is the spirit that makes alive; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I speak to you are spirit and life.
for these things were done that the scripture might be fulfilled: A bone of him shall not be broken.
for these things were done that the scripture might be fulfilled: A bone of him shall not be broken.
And they attended constantly to the teaching of the apostles, and the fellowship, and the breaking of bread, and the prayers.
And with one consent, they continued daily in the temple; and, breaking bread from house to house, they partook of their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
And on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul discoursed to them, intending to depart on the morrow; and he continued his speech till mid night.
Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new mass, as you are without leaven; for Christ, our passover, has been sacrificed for us.
So, also, the Lord has ordained that those who preach the gospel should live by the gospel.
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the participation of the blood of the Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the participation of the body of the Christ?
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the participation of the blood of the Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the participation of the body of the Christ?
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the participation of the blood of the Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the participation of the body of the Christ?
The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the participation of the blood of the Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the participation of the body of the Christ? Because the loaf is one, we, the many, are one body, for we are all partakers of the one loaf. read more. Look at Israel according to the flesh: are not those who eat the sacrifices partakers with the altar?
But I say, that the things which the Gen tiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. I do not wish you to be partakers with demons. You can not drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: you can not be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.
You can not drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: you can not be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.
But I praise you not in this, which I now mention, that you come together, not for the better, but for the worse. For, in the first place, when you come together in the church, I hear that there are schisms among you, and I partly believe it: read more. for there must be sects among you, that the approved may be made known among you. "When, therefore, you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's supper;
"When, therefore, you come together in one place, it is not to eat the Lord's supper; for each one, in eating, takes before another, his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
for each one, in eating, takes before another, his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
for each one, in eating, takes before another, his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What, have you not houses in which to eat and drink? or do you despise the church of God, and put those to shame who have nothing to eat? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
What, have you not houses in which to eat and drink? or do you despise the church of God, and put those to shame who have nothing to eat? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: That the Lord Jesus, on the night in which he was delivered up, took bread;
For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: That the Lord Jesus, on the night in which he was delivered up, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said: Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.
and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said: Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.
and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said: Take, eat; this is my body, which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me. In like manner also, the cup, after he had supped, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood: do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
In like manner also, the cup, after he had supped, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood: do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
In like manner also, the cup, after he had supped, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood: do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord's death till he come.
For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord's death till he come.
For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord's death till he come.
For as often as you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you do show the Lord's death till he come. Wherefore he that eats this bread, or drinks this cup of the Lord, in an improper manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
Wherefore he that eats this bread, or drinks this cup of the Lord, in an improper manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord.
Wherefore he that eats this bread, or drinks this cup of the Lord, in an improper manner, shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of this bread, and drink of this cup: read more. for he that eats and drinks in an improper manner, eats and drinks condemnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
for he that eats and drinks in an improper manner, eats and drinks condemnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
for he that eats and drinks in an improper manner, eats and drinks condemnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
for he that eats and drinks in an improper manner, eats and drinks condemnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this reason, many among you are weak and sick, and many sleep. read more. For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged;
For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged; but being judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. read more. Wherefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one an other:- and if any one is hungry, let him eat at home, that you come not together for condemnation. But other things I will set in order when I come.
For I delivered to you among the first things, that which I also received: That Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures;
I am astonished that you are so soon turning away from him that called you into the grace of Christ, to another gospel: which is nothing else than that there are some who trouble you, and are determined to pervert the gospel of the Christ. read more. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach to you any other gospel than that which we have preached, let him be ac cursed. As we said before, so even now I say again, if any one preaches to you any other gospel than that which you have received, let him be accursed.
Now concerning the things that have been spoken, the principal point is this: We have such a high priest, who has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;
By which will, we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ, once for all time.
For by one offering, he has made a perfect and perpetual expiation for the sanctified.
Having therefore, brethren, confidence to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which he has dedicated for us, through the vail, that is, his flesh; read more. and having a great high, priest over the house of God, let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having; our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water;
and I am he that lives; and I was dead, and be hold, I am alive from age to age: and I have the keys of hades and of death.
And I saw, in the midst of the throne, and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing, like one that had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God that are sent into all the earth.
Morish
See LORD'S SUPPER.
Watsons
EUCHARIST, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. The word, in its original Greek, ??????????, properly signifies giving thanks; from the hymns and thanksgivings which accompanied that holy service in the primitive church. See LORD'S SUPPER.