[Springfield Reformer]

AF: Your explanation about discerning the Lord's body in poorer brethren, though well intentioned, does not fit

AA: That is especially cogent remark, because indeed the admonition is for people who come hungry, therefore the very poor that according to the Protestant theory are supposed to be somehow "discerned"

Yet this is the sense, and if one backs away from insisting on a gnostic-like meaning for diakrino ("discern," "recognize," "judge rightly") , and allows the word to carry the more pedestrian sense of "judge rightly," the meaning becomes quite clear.  Paul is not faulting folks for failing to become "substance detectors."  Their problem is treating their fellow believers like garbage.  That is not a "right judgment" of one's fellow believer.  It has nothing to do with detecting their socioeconomic status and being nice to them if they are poor.  It has everything to do with seeing them as fellow heirs in all that Christ bestows on His body.  There is but one King of Heaven, yet we are all kings and priests, and command the respect due our office.  We are to look past the externalities and see each other as sons and daughters of the Highest Royalty, and treat each other with all the respect and love that such royalty accords.

Peace,

SR

[annalex]

Now you succeeded to devoid your understanding of 1 Cor. 11 from any meaning whatsoever. It is not the Eucharist, but neither, we learn from you, is it a charity event. It is just people having a little snack together.

The first letter of Miss Manners to the Corinthians.