by Dr. Philip Bryan
"Wordplay" or "punning" is a favorite literary device utilized in the Old and New Testaments, especially in Paul's letters. English often cannot communicate the force of a passage by means of wordplay in corresponding English words. Sometimes the most familiar English version even gives a false impression of the meaning. For example, because of wordplay and changes in English usage since the 17th Century, the English words "judgment" and "condemnation" (or "damnation") often are interpreted in certain passages to mean something other than what the author intended, and at the same time something of the subtle "flavor" is lost. A typical example appears in 1 Cor. 11:29, which some have interpreted to teach that "eating unworthily" at the Lord's Supper will send a person to Hell: "For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body." To the contrary, Paul in this passage states that God judges a believer for eating and drinking unworthily so that he will not be condemned! Paul is very careful in his usage of the words translated "judgment" and "condemnation."
Basic Meanings
Three variations for judgment (and their cognates) are regularly employed by Paul in the New Testament: (1) krino, (2) diakrino, and (3) katakrino. The basic word krino includes primarily the ideas of "separating," "judging," and "reaching a decision." Sometimes this "judgment" may be a form of "condemnation," but that is not the basic meaning. Clearly related to krino is the word diakrino, with the ideas of "separating," "differentiating," "judging correctly," "discerning," etc. This word emphasizes proper judgment. The third pertinent form, katakrino, carries the related ideas of "condemning," "punishing," "damning," etc. Clearly, all of the ideas are closely related, both in Greek and English. Detailed analyses of these words are contained in the standard Greek lexicons.
Comparison and Contrast
In a number of New Testament passages, Paul uses two or more of these words (or their cognates) to compare and contrast different ideas and shades of meaning. See Rom. 2:1, 5:16, 18 for usage of krino and katakrino. Rom. 14:23 includes diakrino and katakrino. Analysis of 1 Cor. 11:27-34 gives some of the most fruitful benefits when distinction is maintained between all three words.
Analysis of 1 Cor. 11:27-34
These controversial verses in Paul's discussion of the Lord's Supper may be translated and interpreted as follows:
"(27) The result is: whoever should eat the bread or drink the cup of the Lord unworthily, will be guilty of the body and the blood of the Lord."
Unworthy behavior at the Lord's Table is a serious matter because of what the elements represent -- the Lord's body and blood.
"(28) But let a man prove himself [or, show himself approved?], and so let him eat of the bread [or loaf] and let him drink of the cup; (29) for the one who eats and drinks eats and drinks judgment [krima, a cognate of krino] to [or for] himself, when he does not discern [diakrino] the body."
Failure to "discern the body" (i.e., the church; see v. 31) brings God's judgment (not damnation on that person (a believer, see v. 31).
"(30) Therefore, many among you are weak and feeble, and a number are sleeping."
God's judgment ("therefore") is illustrated by the fact that many of the Corinthians are "weak and feeble" (physically sick?) And not a few are "sleeping" (i.e., they are physically dead?).
"(31) But if we had discerned [diakrino] ourselves, we would not have been judged [krino]; (32) but when are judged [krino] by the Lord, we are chastened lest we should be condemned [katakrino] with the world."
So, if we discern (diakrino; judge correctly) ourselves (the body) we will not be judged (krino) by the Lord. He will judge (krino) His people when they need it (e.g., when they do not "discern the body"), but He does not condemn or damn (katakrino) them. It is "the world" that will be condemned (katakrino)!
"(33) The result is: my brethren, when you come together [or, assemble] in order to eat [the Lord's Supper], wait for one another. (34) If anyone should be hungry, let him eat at home, lest you should come together [or, assemble] for judgment [krima]. And the remaining things I will arrange whenever I come."
Proper discernment (judgment) of the Lord's body (the church) is evidenced by waiting for one another at the Table. Since the purpose of assembling is not because of hunger, observance of the ordinance will bring God's judgment (krima) if the participants eat and drink in an unworthy manner by not regarding one another. These verses probably explain why the Corinthian supper was not the Lord's Supper (v. 20). It was their own supper!