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
Now as they were at table, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake 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, Drink ye all of it:
and He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it: for this is my blood, the blood of the new covenant, which is to be shed for many for the remission of sins:
for this is my blood, the blood of the new covenant, which is to be shed for many for the remission of sins: but I tell you, that from henceforth I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.
but I tell you, that from henceforth I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in the kingdom of my Father.
and He appointed twelve to be with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach the gospel,
And in the evening He cometh with the rest of the twelve.
And as they were at table, Jesus took bread, and when He had blessed it He brake 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 unto them, This is an emblem of my blood the seal of the new covenant, which is to be shed for many: and I assure you, that I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine, till the day when I shall drink it new in the kingdom of God.
and I assure you, that I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine, till the day when I shall 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 unto them, I have earnestly desired to eat of this passover with you before I suffer:
And He said unto them, I have earnestly desired to eat of this passover with you before I suffer:
And He said unto them, I have earnestly desired to eat of this passover with you before I suffer: for I say unto you, that I will not eat of it any more, till it be accomplished in the kingdom of God. read more. And taking the cup He gave thanks and said, Take this and distribute it among yourselves.
And taking the cup He gave thanks and said, Take this and distribute it among yourselves.
And taking the cup He gave thanks and said, Take this and distribute it among yourselves.
And taking the cup He gave thanks and said, Take this and distribute it among yourselves. For I tell you, that I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine, till the kingdom of God shall come.
For I tell you, that I will not drink again 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 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 brake it, 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 brake it, 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 brake it, and gave it to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me: as also the cup after supper, saying, This cup represents the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you.
as also the cup after supper, saying, This cup represents the new covenant in my blood, which is shed for you. And yet behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is at table with me:
And there was also a dispute among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest: but He said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority are called benefactors. read more. But ye shall not do so: but let the greatest among you be as the younger; and he that presides 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 among you as one that serveth. Ye have continued with me in my temptations; and I appoint you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me: that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit upon thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you my disciples, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith may not fail; and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto Him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee both to prison and to death. But He replied, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before thou hast thrice denied that thou knowest me.
Then these also related what had happened by the way, and how He became known to them in breaking of bread.
The Jews therefore cavilled amongst themselves, saying, How can this man give us his flesh to eat? Then said Jesus unto them, I tell you truly, that 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 truly food, and my blood is truly drink: he that feedeth on 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 feedeth on me he also shall live by me. This is the bread that came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat, and yet are dead. He that eateth this bread shall live for ever.
The spirit is the principle of life, the flesh availeth nothing: now the words that I speak unto you are spirit, and therefore life.
For these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled, Not a bone of Him shall be broken.
For these things were done, that the scripture might be fulfilled, Not a bone of Him shall be broken.
And they continued stedfast in the apostles doctrine, and fellowship, and in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
And continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they partook of their food with gladness and simplicity of heart,
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples were assembled together to break bread, Paul being about to depart on the morrow, preached unto them, and continued his discourse till midnight.
Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new mass, without leaven. For our paschal lamb, even Christ, was slain for us.
So also the Lord hath ordained, that those who preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.
---The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
---The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
---The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
---The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? For the bread is one, and we though many are one body; for we all partake of that one bread. read more. Consider Israel according to the flesh, Are not they, that eat of the sacrifices, partakers of the altar?
No: but this I say, that what the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to God. And I would not have you partakers with demons. Ye cannot drink of the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.
And I would not have you partakers with demons. Ye cannot drink of the cup of the Lord, and the cup of demons: ye cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord, and of the table of demons.
But whilst I am declaring this, I do not commend you, that ye assemble together not for the better, but for the worse. For first when ye come together in the church, I hear there are divisions among you, and I partly believe it. read more. For there must be even heresies among you, that they who are approved may be made manifest among you. When therefore ye thus assemble together, this is not eating the Lord's supper:
When therefore ye thus assemble together, this is not eating the Lord's supper: for in eating every one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry, and another is glutted.
for in eating every one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry, and another is glutted.
for in eating every one takes his own supper first; and one is hungry, and another is glutted. What! have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or do ye despise the church of God, and shame those that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
What! have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or do ye despise the church of God, and shame those 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, that which I also delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread:
For I received from the Lord, that which I also delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which He was betrayed took bread: and gave thanks, and brake it, and said, "Take and eat; this is my body, which is going to be broken for you: this do in remembrance of me."
and gave thanks, and brake it, and said, "Take and eat; this is my body, which is going to be broken for you: this do in remembrance of me."
and gave thanks, and brake it, and said, "Take and eat; this is my body, which is going to be broken for you: this do in remembrance of me." And in the same manner He took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant ratified in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink of it, in remembrance of me."
And in the same manner He took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant ratified in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink of it, in remembrance of me."
And in the same manner He took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant ratified in my blood: this do, as often as ye drink of it, in remembrance of me." As often then as ye eat of this bread, and drink of this cup, ye commemorate the Lord's death till he come.
As often then as ye eat of this bread, and drink of this cup, ye commemorate the Lord's death till he come.
As often then as ye eat of this bread, and drink of this cup, ye commemorate the Lord's death till he come.
As often then as ye eat of this bread, and drink of this cup, ye commemorate the Lord's death till he come. So that whosoever eateth this bread, or drinketh of the cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.
So that whosoever eateth this bread, or drinketh of the cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord.
So that whosoever eateth this bread, or drinketh of the cup of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of profaning the body and 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 eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgement against himself, not distinguishing the Lord's body.
for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgement against himself, not distinguishing the Lord's body.
for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgement against himself, not distinguishing the Lord's body.
for he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgement against himself, not distinguishing the Lord's body. For this many among you are weak and infirm, and several are fallen asleep. read more. If then we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged:
If then we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged: but when 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 for one another: and if any one be hungry, let him eat at home, that ye may not come together to your condemnation. And as to other things, I will set them in order when I come.
For in the first place I delivered to you, that which I also received, to wit, that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures:
I wonder that ye are so soon removed from him who called you by the grace of Christ to another gospel: which is not another; but there be some that disturb you, and would subvert the gospel of Christ. read more. But tho' we or an angel from heaven should preach to you any other gospel than what we have preached to you; let him be accursed. I say it again, if any one preach to you any other gospel than what ye have received, let him be accursed.
Now the sum of the things that have been said is this, that we have such an high-priest, who is sat 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 those that are sanctified.
Having therefore, brethren, free admission into the holy places by the blood of Jesus, the new and living way which He hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, read more. his flesh, and having a great high-priest over the house of God, let us draw near with sincerity, in the full assurance of faith, having our hearts cleansed from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
I am the first and the last, who live, though I was dead; and behold, I am alive for ever and ever, Amen, and have the keys of hades and of death.
And I beheld, and lo, in the midst of the throne, and of the four animals, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb, as it 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.