Koinonia and the Supper

Koinonia and the Supper
1 Cor. 10:14-22
Reformation Covenant Church; 19 June 2011
Tim Prussic

1. The context – koinonia in the ancient and biblical world
   Koinonia defined: “fellowship with” or “participation in”
   Idolatry in Corinth – how was eating involved?
   Eating extremely important in ancient culture – seen in Bible and other ancient literature
   Eating as part of worship in ancient Greek thought
   Koinonia with dieties, in Greek thought, was very common
   What about Israel's relationship with Yahweh? Was it called koinonia?
2. The content
   Vs. 14 – Paul's extended discussion of idolatry and Christian liberty
   Vs. 15 – Paul appeals to their “common sense” or “experiential common ground”
   Vs. 16 – The cup is a koinonia of the blood of Christ, as is the bread and Christ's body
   C.f., John 6:53-58
   Vs. 17 – Because the Corinthian believer has koinonia with Christ, they become one with one
   another because they are all one with Christ (discerning the body, c.p. to 1 Cor 11:29).
   Vs. 18 – This also REALLY happened in ancient Israel, though they would never say so
   Vs. 19 – So then, are there actually other gods?
   Vs. 20 – NO, not other gods, but demons! Demons, not gods stand behind these idols.
   Vs. 21 – Reality is antithetical: God vs. everything else (the great antithesis)
   Vs. 22 – Reference to 10:1-13 – Israel's provocation of God and his covenantal response
   Similarity at this point between Old and New Covenant
3. The consequence (observations and application)
   Is the koinonia of the Lord's Supper exactly the same as that of idolatry and demon koinonia?
   -No, it is in some ways opposite and others greater
   Opposite:
   Greater:
   Worship links the worshippers and t