Have you ever wondered why we call one of our most sacred Christian practices by a word that doesn’t actually appear in Scripture? That’s exactly what makes the concept of communion so fascinating. When we gather around the table, break bread, and share the cup, we’re participating in something far deeper than just a religious ritual—we’re entering into a divine connection that transcends language itself.
The practice we commonly call “communion” holds layers of meaning that go back to the very foundations of our faith. It’s not just about the English word; it’s about an experience of profound spiritual intimacy with God and with each other that has nourished believers for thousands of years. Let’s discover together what this sacred practice truly means and where it comes from.
Biblical Insight
While the English word “communion” doesn’t appear in many Bible translations, the concept and practice are deeply rooted in Scripture. The word comes from the Greek term “koinonia” (κοινωνία), which appears numerous times in the New Testament. In 1 Corinthians 10:16, Paul writes, “The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?” The word translated as “participation” here is koinonia—communion, fellowship, sharing, or participation. This reveals that communion is not merely about eating bread and drinking wine; it’s about actively participating in the reality of Jesus’ sacrifice.
Jesus Himself established what we now call communion during the Last Supper. As recorded in Luke 22:19-20, “And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you.’” This practice was a reimagining of the Passover meal, transforming it into a new covenant celebration. The disciples would have immediately recognized the significance—just as the Passover commemorated God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt, this new meal would commemorate deliverance from sin through the Messiah’s sacrifice.
The early church continued this practice faithfully as described in Acts 2:42: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship (koinonia), to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Here we see communion integrated into the very fabric of early Christian community life. It wasn’t an isolated ritual but part of their shared existence. When believers broke bread together, they were expressing their unity in the Messiah and their participation in His death and resurrection. Paul further emphasizes this in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, explaining that when we take communion, we “proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.” This means communion isn’t just about looking back at what Jesus did but also looking forward to His return, making it a powerful declaration of faith in God’s redemptive plan throughout history.
Practical Wisdom
Communion invites us into a threefold connection—with God, with fellow believers, and with the reality of our redemption. When we approach the communion table, we’re doing far more than observing a tradition; we’re engaging in an act of remembrance that transforms us. There’s something profoundly powerful about physically taking elements that represent Jesus’ body and blood. It engages our senses and reminds us that our faith isn’t abstract—it’s embodied in our everyday lives just as God became embodied in Jesus. Each time we participate, we’re declaring our dependence on the Messiah’s sacrifice and inviting His life to flow through us anew.
The koinonia aspect of communion challenges us to examine our relationships with others. In 1 Corinthians 11:17-34, Paul strongly rebukes believers who were taking communion while maintaining divisions and disregarding others in the body of Christ. He warns that partaking unworthily brings judgment, not because we must be perfect to approach the table, but because communion demands integrity in how we treat our fellow believers. Before we take the elements, we should prayerfully reflect on whether we’re living in authentic fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Are there relationships that need reconciliation? Are there walls of division we’ve allowed to stand? The communion table calls us to tear down these barriers and embrace one another as family.
This sacred practice also shapes our identity as people forgiven and freed through the blood of Jesus. When we take communion, we’re reminded that the record of charges against us has been wiped clean. The enemy’s accusations hold no power over us because of what Jesus accomplished on the cross. This truth should fill us with profound gratitude and lead us to extend the same mercy to others that we’ve received. Just as Jesus broke bread with those who would betray and abandon Him, we’re called to extend fellowship even to those who have wounded us. Communion becomes a powerful opportunity to practice forgiveness and experience the liberating joy that comes with it.
Clearing up misunderstandings
One common misunderstanding about communion is that it’s merely a symbolic ritual with little practical significance. While different Christian traditions vary in their understanding of Christ’s presence in the elements, Scripture clearly presents communion as spiritually potent and transformative. Paul warned that taking communion in an unworthy manner could result in sickness or even death among the Corinthian believers (1 Corinthians 11:27-30)—hardly the language one would use for a mere symbol! The early church didn’t treat communion as optional or peripheral but as a central, life-giving practice. When we reduce communion to a quarterly ritual or an occasional afterthought, we miss the spiritual nourishment God intends to provide through it.
Another misconception is that communion must be administered only by ordained clergy in a formal church setting. While order and reverence are important, the New Testament depicts communion as something practiced in homes as part of shared meals (Acts 2:46). The early believers broke bread “from house to house” as well as in the temple courts. This suggests that communion was integrated into the community’s life together rather than restricted to official religious gatherings. While churches today may have good reasons for their communion practices, we should recognize that communion’s power doesn’t come from the setting or the officiant but from the risen Messiah who makes Himself known through this practice.
Some also misunderstand the meaning of examining oneself before taking communion. Paul’s instruction in 1 Corinthians 11:28 to “examine yourself before eating the bread and drinking the cup” has sometimes been interpreted to mean that only those who feel worthy should participate. This has led many believers to abstain out of fear or guilt. However, the context makes clear that Paul’s concern was specifically about how believers were treating one another during their communal meals. Self-examination isn’t about achieving moral perfection before participating; it’s about approaching the table with genuine repentance and a commitment to honor the body of Christ—both His physical body represented by the elements and His spiritual body represented by the church community.
Conclusion
Communion invites us into the very heart of the gospel—it’s a tangible experience of grace, unity, and remembrance that nourishes our faith journey. When we gather around the table, we’re joining a practice that connects us not only with Jesus and His sacrifice but with countless believers across time and space who have broken bread and shared the cup in His name. Though the English word “communion” may not appear in Scripture, the divine reality it represents permeates the pages of the New Testament and offers us a profound way to experience God’s presence today.
As you participate in communion in your own faith community, I encourage you to approach it with fresh eyes and an open heart. Let it be more than a ritual—let it be a genuine encounter with the living God who gave Himself for you. Let it challenge you to deeper unity with your brothers and sisters in Christ. And let it remind you that in Jesus, we have access to the most intimate fellowship with God imaginable. Through His body broken and His blood shed, we’re invited into communion with God Himself—the ultimate purpose for which we were created.
Did you know
The English word “communion” entered Christian usage through Latin translations of the Bible, where the Greek “koinonia” was translated as “communio” (Latin for sharing or participation). By the 14th century, this had evolved into the Middle English term “communioun.” Interestingly, this same Greek root gives us not only “communion” but also “community,” “communicate,” and “common”—all words that reflect the essence of sharing and togetherness that lies at the heart of this sacred practice.
