1 Corinthians 11:17
“But in giving you this command, I don’t praise you, that you come together not for the better but for the worse.”
What does 1 Corinthians 11:17 mean?
Paul is addressing a serious problem in the Corinthian church: when they gather together, their meetings are actually making things worse instead of better. Rather than building each other up spiritually, their divisions, pride, and mistreatment of poorer members are creating harm. He's being direct and honest here, telling them plainly that he cannot commend them for how they're handling their corporate worship and fellowship. This sets up the rest of the chapter, where he'll describe specific issues (like the way they're observing communion) that are damaging their community rather than strengthening it. It's the kind of loving correction that says, "I care about you too much to pretend this is okay."