What does it mean to examine yourself (1 Corinthians 11:28)?

The verse 1 Corinthians 11:28 says, “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” This verse comes in the context of instructions from Paul to the Corinthians regarding the Lord’s Supper, or Communion. Here Paul emphasizes the importance of self-examination before partaking in the bread and cup that represent Christ’s body and blood. But what exactly does it mean to “examine yourself”?

Looking at Your Spiritual Condition

To “examine yourself” means to take an honest look at the condition of your heart and life in Christ. It involves:

• Assessing your relationship with God – Are you walking with the Lord in close fellowship? Is there any unconfessed sin hindering that fellowship (1 John 1:9)?
• Examining your love for others – Do you have any broken relationships that need to be repaired (Matthew 5:23-24)? Are you holding grudges or nursing bitterness against someone (Ephesians 4:31-32)?
• Considering your unity in the body of Christ – Are you actively engaged in Christian community? Are you doing your part to build up others (Ephesians 4:11-16)? Are there fractured relationships you need to help mend within the church?
• Looking for spiritual weaknesses – What sins or shortcomings do you see in your life? What spiritual disciplines have you been neglecting? What areas do you need to shore up (Hebrews 12:1)?
• Assessing any heart idols – Is there anything you are loving or prioritizing more than Christ (Luke 14:26)? Are you seeking first God’s kingdom (Matthew 6:33)?

The goal of self-examination is to become aware of the true condition of our hearts, so that we can repent of any sin and pursue greater Christlikeness. We look within so that we can turn from our sin and turn toward God.

Why Examine Yourself before Communion?

So why is it important to examine yourself before participating in the Lord’s Supper? There are a few key reasons:

1. To let God search your heart and bring conviction over anything displeasing to Him (Psalm 139:23-24). This prevents casually or flippantly partaking in the sacrament.
2. To make sure you are recognizing the body and blood of Christ represented in the elements (1 Corinthians 11:29). Self-examination prepares your heart properly to discern and memorialize Christ’s sacrifice.
3. To check that you are partaking in a worthy manner (1 Corinthians 11:27). Unconfessed sin or indifference to Christ’s death brings judgment. Examining yourself protects taking communion in an unworthy way.
4. To affirm your participation in Christ’s redemptive work. Communion looks back at the cross. Self-examination makes sure your faith is firmly anchored there.
5. To recommit your life to God. Communion looks ahead to Christ’s return and the full establishment of His kingdom. Self-examination reorients your life trajectory to His purposes.

In short, self-examination ensures you are properly remembering Christ’s work on the cross and anticipating His coming kingdom as you participate in communion. It prevents complacency and challenges you to freshly consecrate yourself to God.

What Questions to Ask in Self-Examination

What are some practical self-reflective questions you can ask before the Lord’s Supper to “examine yourself”? Here are some examples:

• Where is my love and passion for Christ right now? Has communion become routine ritual for me?
• Is there any sin I need to confess and repent of before God? Do I have a repentant heart?
• Are there any relationships I need to restore or pursue reconciliation in?
• Am I actively serving my local church family and using my gifts to build up others?
• What areas of spiritual growth do I need to focus on? What disciplines need more priority?
• Do I recognize God’s grace in the bread and cup and remember Christ’s sacrifice for me?
• Am I looking forward to Christ’s return and God’s eternal kingdom?
• Am I willing to recommit my life to kingdom purposes and walking obediently with Jesus?

These kinds of reflective questions can help us slow down and carefully reorient our hearts before celebrating communion. They lead us into honest confession, renewed gratitude, and revived commitment.

A Holy Reverence for Communion

In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul strongly warned believers about partaking in an “unworthy manner” at the Lord’s Supper, bringing judgment on themselves (1 Corinthians 11:27). His instructions to examine yourself, then, come from a posture of holy reverence for the sacrament.

Communion is not to be engaged casually or lightly. When we come to the table, we are remembering Christ’s sacrificial death on our behalf and celebrating our participation in His covenant. This calls for intentional preparation, including self-examination, confession, reconciliation, grateful worship and renewed commitment.

Taking communion has always required solemnity and discernment (1 Corinthians 5:11-13). While God’s grace is abundantly present in the sacrament, Scripture also teaches a certain fearful holiness around the Lord’s table. Self-examination is the thoughtful discipline that honors Christ in the Eucharist and allows us to partake in a worthy, mindful manner.

Who Should Partake in Communion?

Given the need for self-examination beforehand, who then is qualified to partake in the Lord’s Supper? From Scripture, we derive these guidelines:

• Professing believers in Jesus Christ, who have put their faith in His sacrificial death and atoning blood (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). The Lord’s Supper is for the church, not the unbelieving world.
• Baptized Christians, since communion is generally a second ordinance after baptism (Matthew 28:19-20).
• Those actively pursuing holiness, repentance, and obedience with God’s help (1 John 1:5-7). Not perfection, but direction.
• Those who have moved beyond “milk” and are spiritually ready for the “solid food” of deeper spiritual things (1 Corinthians 3:1-3; Hebrews 5:12-14).
• Those who have examined themselves and cleared any offenses between brethren (1 Corinthians 11:27-29; Matthew 5:23-24).

With self-examination, even younger members of God’s family can partake in the Lord’s Supper if they understand its significance. Similarly, new believers can participate after baptism and instruction. Communion is intended for Christ’s followers, given with grace yet requiring a reverent, ready heart before God.

Preparing Your Heart for Communion

So how should we prepare our hearts as we get ready to take communion? Consider these tips:

1. Set aside time to be alone with God – Get in a quiet place to pray, reflect and be open before Him.
2. Ask God to search your heart – “Search me, O God, and know my heart…see if there is any offensive way in me” (Psalm 139:23-24).
3. Allow conviction to lead to confession – Agree with God about any sins and repent. Seek forgiveness.
4. Make reconciliation a priority – If you remember an offense against someone, seek to restore that relationship.
5. Give thanks – Reflect on the cross and give God praise for Christ’s amazing grace.
6. Recommit your life – Yield yourself completely afresh to walk in obedience with Jesus.
7. Meditate on the bread and cup – Consider deeply what they represent about Christ’s sacrifice.
8. Come expectantly – Approach communion with faith and anticipation of meeting God.

Preparing your heart is not meant to discourage you from the Lord’s table. Rather it is a gift God gives us, to make communion as meaningful and intimate as He intends. With reflection and readiness, we embrace all the grace and blessing the sacrament offers.

Celebrating Communion Wholeheartedly

Self-examination is certainly important, but we must also come to the Lord’s table full of faith and gratitude. While communion requires solemn discernment beforehand, it is meant to be received and enjoyed with great joy! Consider:

• Communion is a precious means of God’s grace and sustenance for believers. It should stir gladness in our hearts!
• At the first Lord’s Supper, Jesus and His disciples sang a hymn together as they partook (Matthew 26:30). It was likely a joyful Passover meal.
• When we partake, we spiritually dine with Christ and celebrate our union with Him (Revelation 3:20). It is a foretaste of the marriage supper of the Lamb!
• The Lord’s Supper declares Christ’s triumph over death and looks ahead to His return. This fills our hearts with hope and anticipation!
• As we participate and remember Christ’s sacrifice for us, how can our hearts not overflow with love, gratitude and praise?

Yes, communion should be partaken in a worthy manner, with self-examination and reverence. But it is also meant to ignite worship and wonder at God’s amazing grace. It is a precious gift and privilege for believers to enjoy!

In Closing

To “examine yourself” before partaking in the Lord’s Supper involves taking a close look at your heart condition before God. It helps prevent indifferent or flippant participation in the holy sacrament. With self-reflection and confession, communion becomes a vivid reminder of Christ’s sacrifice for us and a powerful means of grace as we recommit ourselves completely to God. While requiring solemn preparation, the Eucharist is meant to be received with great joy and thanksgiving. Undertaken properly, communion truly nourishes our intimacy with Christ.