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 after they had eaten, Jesus took bread and blessed and brake and gave it to his disciples and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it.
And he took the cup, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it. For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins.
For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. I say to you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, till the day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
I say to you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, till the day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom.
And he ordained twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them forth to preach,
And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. And as they sat and ate,
And as they ate, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and having given thanks, gave it them, and they all drank of it. read more. And he said to them, This is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say to you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, till that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
Verily I say to you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, till that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.
And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said to them, With desire have I desired to eat this passover with you, before I suffer.
And he said to them, With desire have I desired to eat this passover with you, before I suffer.
And he said to them, With desire have I desired to eat this passover with you, before I suffer. For I say to you, I will not eat thereof any more, till it be 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 shall come.
For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave thanks and brake it, and gave 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 brake it, and gave 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 brake it, and gave 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 brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood which is shed for you.
Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood which is shed for you. But behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table.
There was also a contention among them, Which of them was greatest. And he said to them, The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and they that exercise authority upon them have the title of benefactors. read more. But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he that is chief as he that serveth. For which is greater, he that sitteth at table, or he that serveth? Is not he that sitteth at table? But I am in the midst of you as he that serveth. Ye are they who have continued with in me in my temptations. And I appoint to you a kingdom, as my Father to me, That ye 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 hath desired to have you, that he might sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee that thy faith fail not: and when thou art returned, strengthen thy brethren. And he said to him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee both to prison and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, it shall not be the time of cockcrowing this day, before thou wilt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
And they told the things done in the way, and how he was known by them in the breaking of the bread.
The Jews then debated among themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? But Jesus said to them, Verily, verily I say unto you, unless ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. read more. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, abideth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father, so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is the bread which came down from heaven; not as your fathers ate manna, and died: he that eateth of this bread, shall live for ever.
It is the Spirit that quickeneth: the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken, they are spirit and they are life.
For these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of it shall not be broken.
For these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled, A bone of it shall not be broken.
And they continued stedfast in the teaching of the apostles, and the fellowship, and the breaking of bread, and the prayers.
And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking the bread at home, they ate their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
And on the first day of the week, when we were met together to break bread, Paul being to depart on the morrow, preached to them, and continued his discourse till midnight.
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened; for our passover is slain for us, even Christ:
So also hath the Lord ordained, that they who preach the gospel, should live of the gospel.
The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For we, being many, are one bread, and one body; for we are all partakers of the one bread. read more. Consider Israel after the flesh. Are not they who eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar?
But that what the heathens sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God. Now I would not that ye should be partakers with devils. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and the table of devils.
Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils; ye cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and the table of devils.
But in this which I declare, I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse. For first, when ye come together in the church, I hear there are schisms among you, (and I partly believe it. read more. For there must be heresies also among you, that the approved among you may be manifest). Therefore when ye come together into one place, it is not eating the Lord's supper.
Therefore when ye come together into one place, it is not eating the Lord's supper. For in eating every one taketh before another his own supper, and one is hungry, another drinks largely.
For in eating every one taketh before another his own supper, and one is hungry, another drinks largely.
For in eating every one taketh before another his own supper, and one is hungry, another drinks largely. What! have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or do ye despise the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this?
What! have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or do ye despise the church of God, and shame them that have not? what shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus the night in which he was betrayed,
I praise you not. For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus the night in which he was betrayed, took bread, And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat, this is my body, which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.
took bread, And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat, this is my body, which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me.
took bread, And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat, this is my body, which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of me. In like manner also he took the cup after he had supped, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: do this as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
In like manner also he took the cup after he had supped, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: do this as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
In like manner also he took the cup after he had supped, saying, This cup is the new covenant in my blood: do this as often as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. Therefore as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye shew forth the Lord's death, till he come.
Therefore as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye shew forth the Lord's death, till he come.
Therefore as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye shew forth the Lord's death, till he come.
Therefore as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye shew forth the Lord's death, till he come. So that whosoever shall eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
So that whosoever shall eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
So that whosoever shall eat the bread and drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. Therefore let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. read more. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not distinguishing the Lord's body.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not distinguishing the Lord's body.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not distinguishing the Lord's body.
For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not distinguishing the Lord's body. For this cause many are sick and weak among you, 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 when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. read more. Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, wait one for another. And if any one be hungry, let him eat at home, that ye come not together to condemnation. And the rest I will set in order when I come.
For I delivered to you first, that which I also received, That Christ died for our sins,
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Christ who called you by his grace to another gospel, Which is not another; but there are some that trouble you, and would subvert the gospel of Christ. read more. But if we or an angel from heaven preach to you another gospel than we have preached to you, let him be accursed: As we have said before, so I say now again, if any preach to you another gospel than that ye received, let him be accursed.
The sum of what hath been spoken is, We have such an high priest, who is set down 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.
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Having therefore, brethren, free liberty to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us through the veil, read more. that is, his flesh, And having an 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 he that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore, and have the keys of death and of Hades.
And I beheld in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, a Lamb standing as if he had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent forth 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.