The Model of Communion
“So then, when you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper you eat, for when you are eating, some of you go ahead with your own private suppers. As a result, one person remains hungry and another gets drunk.” – 1 Corinthians 11:20,21 Yesterday, I described a symposium in the city of Corinth, likely sponsored by a wealthy merchant. These gatherings often involved excessive drinking and would descend into debauchery, culminating in what was known as a “love meal.” Feasts in the Roman world were typically served in hierarchical layers. At a large-city feast, the wealthiest and most powerful guests—such as aristocrats, politicians, philosophers, and wealthy landowners—would eat first, dining together. Once they finished, they would leave, and the next group, such as the equestrians, dancers, and professional musicians, would take their place. This process would continue, with each subsequent group receiving less food and wine as the feast