Greek Text · Translation · Interlinear · Discourse Structure

The First Epistle to the Corinthians, Chapter 11ΠΡΟΣ ΚΟΡΙΝΘΙΟΥΣ Α′ ΙΑ′

Each verse opens with the running Greek, an English translation, and a discourse note (its connective, relation, and role in the argument). Below follows the word-by-word breakdown in six tiers: gloss, case (color), parsing, syntax, semantic force, and a lexical note.

Case Nominative Genitive Dative Accusative Vocative Verb (no case) Indeclinable

Discourse notes head each verse: relation · connective · clause-flow. Indentation marks prominence — flush-left = main line of argument; indented = supporting / subordinate material.

1

μιμηταί μου γίνεσθε, καθὼς κἀγὼ Χριστοῦ.

Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.

Hinge / exhortationasyndetonThe verse caps the food-and-freedom argument (10:23–33): as Paul forgoes his rights for others' good in imitation of Christ's self-giving, so should they. It also bridges to the head-covering and Supper sections, where self-regarding conduct is again corrected by Christ-shaped deference.
μιμηταίimitatorsNominativepredicate nominative (w/ γίνεσθε)μιμητής: 'imitator' (cf. 'mimic'); the disciple reproduces the pattern of the teacher, and ultimately of Christ (cf. 4:16; 1 Thess 1:6).
μουof meGenitiveobjective genitive (whom they imitate)
γίνεσθεbe / becomePres Mid Impv 2 Pl · γίνομαιimperative→ customary present (durative command)γίνομαι: 'become, be'; the present imperative urges an ongoing pattern of life, not a single act.
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunction
κἀγὼI alsoNominativesubject (crasis: καὶ ἐγώ)κἀγώ: crasis of καὶ ἐγώ, 'I too'; Paul's imitation is itself derivative — patterned on Christ.
Χριστοῦof ChristGenitiveobjective genitive (verb 'am an imitator' gapped)Χριστός: the ultimate model — the self-emptying, others-serving Lord (cf. Phil 2:5–8).
2

Ἐπαινῶ δὲ ὑμᾶς ὅτι πάντα μου μέμνησθε καὶ καθὼς παρέδωκα ὑμῖν τὰς παραδόσεις κατέχετε.

Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold fast to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.

Transition / commendationδέA δέ marks the move into a new topic. Paul opens the section as he often does, with measured praise (contrast the pointed οὐκ ἐπαινῶ of v.17, 22), commending their adherence to the παραδόσεις — the fixed body of apostolic teaching he 'handed down,' a key word that returns in v.23.
ἘπαινῶI praisePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπαινέωmain verb→ descriptive presentἐπαινέω: 'praise, commend' (ἐπί + αἰνέω); the same verb is pointedly withheld at v.17, 22, framing the chapter between commendation and rebuke.
δὲnowtransitional conjunction
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
πάνταin everythingAccusativeaccusative of respect (adverbial)πᾶς: here neuter plural 'in all things' — comprehensive remembrance of Paul's teaching.
μουmeGenitiveobjective genitive (of μέμνησθε)
μέμνησθεyou rememberPerf Mid/Pass Indic 2 Pl · μιμνῄσκομαιmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ intensive perfect (settled remembrance)μιμνῄσκομαι: 'remember, keep in mind'; the perfect denotes a remembering that abides — they continue mindful of his teaching.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καθὼςjust ascomparative conjunction
παρέδωκαI deliveredAor Act Indic 1 Sg · παραδίδωμιverb (comparative clause)→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, deliver'; a technical term for transmitting authoritative tradition (cf. παρέλαβον/παρέδωκα, v.23) — the rabbinic masorah pattern.
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
τὰςtheAccusativearticle
παραδόσειςtraditionsAccusativedirect object (of κατέχετε)παράδοσις: 'tradition, what is handed down'; the fixed deposit of apostolic teaching — neutral here, not the human παραδόσεις Jesus criticized (Mark 7).
κατέχετεyou hold fastPres Act Indic 2 Pl · κατέχωmain verb (object τὰς παραδόσεις)→ customary presentκατέχω: 'hold down, hold fast, retain' (κατά + ἔχω); to keep a firm grip on what was received.
3

θέλω δὲ ὑμᾶς εἰδέναι ὅτι παντὸς ἀνδρὸς ἡ κεφαλὴ ὁ Χριστός ἐστιν, κεφαλὴ δὲ γυναικὸς ὁ ἀνήρ, κεφαλὴ δὲ τοῦ Χριστοῦ ὁ θεός.

But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Thesis / grounding principleδέThe δέ is slightly adversative: before applying the tradition, Paul lays the theological premise. The disclosure formula 'I want you to know' flags a foundational point. The threefold κεφαλή ('head') establishes an ordered relation — Christ/man, man/woman, God/Christ — that grounds everything that follows; the sequence is not strictly hierarchical-descending but moves to show even Christ has a 'head.'
θέλωI wantPres Act Indic 1 Sg · θέλωmain verb→ descriptive presentθέλω: 'will, wish'; θέλω ὑμᾶς εἰδέναι is a disclosure formula introducing weighty teaching.
δὲbuttransitional/mildly adversative conjunction
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativeaccusative subject of εἰδέναι
εἰδέναιto knowPerf Act Inf · οἶδαcomplementary infinitive (of θέλω)→ intensive perfect (present sense)οἶδα: 'know'; perfect in form, present in meaning — settled knowledge that Paul wants them to possess.
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of εἰδέναι)
παντὸςof everyGenitiveattributive adjective
ἀνδρὸςmanGenitivegenitive of subordination/relationshipἀνήρ: 'man, husband'; throughout the passage it shades between 'male' and 'husband,' the marriage relation never far off.
theNominativearticle
κεφαλὴheadNominativepredicate nominativeκεφαλή: lit. 'head'; metaphorically of preeminence/source — the controlling image of the whole unit, debated between 'authority over' and 'source/origin.'
theNominativearticle
ΧριστόςChristNominativesubjectΧριστός: 'Anointed,' Messiah; here the 'head' of every man.
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
κεφαλὴheadNominativepredicate nominative (verb gapped)
δὲandconnective (listing)
γυναικὸςof womanGenitivegenitive of subordination/relationshipγυνή: 'woman, wife'; like ἀνήρ it oscillates between 'female' and 'wife.'
theNominativearticle
ἀνήρmanNominativesubject
κεφαλὴheadNominativepredicate nominative (verb gapped)
δὲandconnective (listing)
τοῦofGenitivearticle
ΧριστοῦChristGenitivegenitive of subordination/relationshipΧριστοῦ: that even Christ has a 'head' (God) shows the relation need not imply inferiority of nature, only ordered relation.
theNominativearticle
θεόςGodNominativesubjectθεός: God; the climactic term — the chain rises to God as head of Christ.
4

πᾶς ἀνὴρ προσευχόμενος ἢ προφητεύων κατὰ κεφαλῆς ἔχων καταισχύνει τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτοῦ.

Every man who prays or prophesies having something down over his head shames his head.

Application (male)asyndetonAsyndeton drives straight into the first application. The participles 'praying or prophesying' set the scene in public worship. The double sense of κεφαλή (literal head / the 'head' Christ of v.3) is exploited: the man who covers his literal head dishonors his metaphorical Head.
πᾶςeveryNominativeattributive adjective
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject
προσευχόμενοςprayingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · προσεύχομαιattributive participle→ present (concurrent)προσεύχομαι: 'pray'; the activity assumes audible, leading prayer in the assembly.
ordisjunctive conjunction
προφητεύωνprophesyingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · προφητεύωattributive participle→ present (concurrent)προφητεύω: 'prophesy'; Spirit-prompted speech for edification (cf. ch. 14) — notably, women too pray and prophesy (v.5), assumed not forbidden.
κατὰdown overpreposition + genitive (downward extension)κατά + gen. here = 'down from/over'; κατὰ κεφαλῆς ἔχων = 'having (a covering) hanging down over the head.'
κεφαλῆςheadGenitiveobject of κατά
ἔχωνhavingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἔχωadverbial ptc. (attendant circumstance)→ present (concurrent)ἔχω: 'have, hold'; with κατὰ κεφαλῆς, an idiom for wearing a covering on the head.
καταισχύνειshamesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · καταισχύνωmain verb→ gnomic presentκαταισχύνω: 'put to shame, dishonor' (κατά-intensive of αἰσχύνω); the gnomic present states a general principle.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativedirect objectκεφαλή: here double-edged — his own (literal) head, and 'his Head,' Christ (v.3).
αὐτοῦhisGenitivegenitive of possession
5

πᾶσα δὲ γυνὴ προσευχομένη ἢ προφητεύουσα ἀκατακαλύπτῳ τῇ κεφαλῇ καταισχύνει τὴν κεφαλὴν αὐτῆς· ἓν γάρ ἐστιν καὶ τὸ αὐτὸ τῇ ἐξυρημένῃ.

But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered shames her head, for it is one and the same as the woman who is shaved.

Application (female)δέThe parallel-but-opposite case: what shames the man (covering) is the reverse for the woman (uncovering). The γάρ clause supplies the cultural equation — an uncovered head in worship is as scandalous as a shaved one, setting up the a fortiori of v.6.
πᾶσαeveryNominativeattributive adjective
δὲbutadversative conjunction (contrast w/ v.4)
γυνὴwomanNominativesubject
προσευχομένηprayingPres Mid Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · προσεύχομαιattributive participle→ present (concurrent)
ordisjunctive conjunction
προφητεύουσαprophesyingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Fem · προφητεύωattributive participle→ present (concurrent)προφητεύω: that women pray and prophesy in the assembly is here simply assumed; the issue is the manner (head covered), not the activity.
ἀκατακαλύπτῳuncoveredDativepredicate adjective (dat. of manner)ἀκατακάλυπτος: 'uncovered, unveiled' (alpha-privative + κατακαλύπτω); whether a veil or bound-up hair is meant is debated.
τῇtheDativearticle
κεφαλῇheadDativedative of respect/manner
καταισχύνειshamesPres Act Indic 3 Sg · καταισχύνωmain verb→ gnomic present
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
κεφαλὴνheadAccusativedirect objectκεφαλή: again double — her own head, and 'her head' the man (v.3).
αὐτῆςherGenitivegenitive of possession
ἓνoneNominativepredicate nominative (neuter)εἷς: 'one'; 'one and the same thing' — an idiom of equivalence.
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction (epexegetic)
τὸtheNominativearticle
αὐτὸsameNominativepredicate (identity)ὁ αὐτός: 'the same'; reinforces the equivalence with being shaved.
τῇas the (one)Dativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
ἐξυρημένῃwho is shavedPerf Mid/Pass Ptc · Dat Sg Fem · ξυράωsubstantival participle (dat. of comparison)→ intensive perfect (resultant state)ξυράω: 'shave'; the perfect points to the shorn condition. A shaved head on a woman signaled disgrace, mourning, or punishment in the ancient world.
6

εἰ γὰρ οὐ κατακαλύπτεται γυνή, καὶ κειράσθω· εἰ δὲ αἰσχρὸν γυναικὶ τὸ κείρασθαι ἢ ξυρᾶσθαι, κατακαλυπτέσθω.

For if a woman will not cover herself, then let her also be shorn; but if it is disgraceful for a woman to be shorn or shaved, let her cover herself.

Argument from consistency (a fortiori)γάρA two-step conditional argument enforcing the equivalence of v.5. First-class condition: granting (for argument) that she goes uncovered, consistency demands she go all the way and be shorn; but since shearing is admittedly shameful, the conclusion reverses — let her be covered. The two imperatives (κειράσθω … κατακαλυπτέσθω) frame the reductio.
εἰifconditional conjunction (first class)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
οὐnotnegative particle
κατακαλύπτεταιcovers herselfPres Mid Indic 3 Sg · κατακαλύπτωmain verb (protasis)→ descriptive presentκατακαλύπτω: 'cover, veil completely' (κατά + καλύπτω); the middle = 'cover oneself.'
γυνήa womanNominativesubject
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
κειράσθωlet her be shornAor Mid Impv 3 Sg · κείρωimperative (apodosis)→ ingressive aorist (permissive imperative)κείρω: 'cut the hair, shear' (as of sheep); the middle 'have herself shorn' — a rhetorical 'then go all the way.'
εἰifconditional conjunction (first class)
δὲbutadversative conjunction
αἰσχρὸνdisgracefulNominativepredicate nominative (neuter)αἰσχρός: 'shameful, disgraceful'; the honor-shame category that drives the whole argument.
γυναικὶfor a womanDativedative of reference/disadvantage
τὸtheNominativearticle (substantizes inf.)
κείρασθαιto be shornAor Mid Inf · κείρωarticular infinitive (subject of αἰσχρόν)→ constative aorist
ordisjunctive conjunction
ξυρᾶσθαιto be shavedPres Mid Inf · ξυράωinfinitive (coordinate subject)→ descriptive presentξυράω: 'shave (close, with a razor)'; an intensification beyond mere cutting (κείρω).
κατακαλυπτέσθωlet her cover herselfPres Mid Impv 3 Sg · κατακαλύπτωimperative (conclusion)→ customary present (durative command)κατακαλύπτω: the resolving imperative — given the shame of shearing, covering is the fitting course.
7

ἀνὴρ μὲν γὰρ οὐκ ὀφείλει κατακαλύπτεσθαι τὴν κεφαλήν, εἰκὼν καὶ δόξα θεοῦ ὑπάρχων· ἡ γυνὴ δὲ δόξα ἀνδρός ἐστιν.

For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but the woman is the glory of man.

Ground from creationγάρThe γάρ moves from cultural propriety to theological grounding in Genesis 1–2. The μέν … δέ sets man and woman in balanced contrast: man as 'image and glory of God,' woman as 'glory of man.' Note Paul does not deny the woman is also God's image (Gen 1:27); the point is relational glory, why each should be ordered rightly in worship.
ἀνὴρa manNominativesubject
μὲνindeedparticle (correlative w/ δέ)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ὀφείλειoughtPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀφείλωmain verb (w/ complementary inf.)→ descriptive present (obligation)ὀφείλω: 'owe, be obligated'; here moral fittingness — what one 'ought' (cf. v.10).
κατακαλύπτεσθαιto coverPres Mid Inf · κατακαλύπτωcomplementary infinitive→ descriptive presentκατακαλύπτω: 'cover oneself'; the same verb as the women's command (v.6), here negated for men.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
κεφαλήνheadAccusativeaccusative of respect (w/ middle)
εἰκὼνimageNominativepredicate nom. (w/ ptc. ὑπάρχων)εἰκών: 'image, likeness' (cf. 'icon'); from Gen 1:26–27, man made in God's image.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
δόξαgloryNominativepredicate nominativeδόξα: 'glory, honor, radiance'; that which reflects and displays another's worth — the keyword joining vv.7–15.
θεοῦof GodGenitivegenitive of relationship/source
ὑπάρχωνbeingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ὑπάρχωcausal participle→ present (concurrent/stative)ὑπάρχω: 'be, exist (inherently)'; a slightly weightier 'to be,' stressing the man's given constitution.
theNominativearticle
γυνὴwomanNominativesubject
δὲbutadversative conjunction (μέν … δέ)
δόξαgloryNominativepredicate nominativeδόξα: the woman is 'man's glory' — she displays his honor (notably Paul stops short of saying 'image of man,' guarding Gen 1:27).
ἀνδρόςof manGenitivegenitive of relationship
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
8

οὐ γάρ ἐστιν ἀνὴρ ἐκ γυναικός, ἀλλὰ γυνὴ ἐξ ἀνδρός·

For man is not from woman, but woman from man;

Support from order of originγάρGrounds v.7's claim by appeal to the order of creation in Gen 2: the woman's origin is from the man (Eve from Adam's side). The οὐ … ἀλλά construction is a sharp not-this-but-that.
οὐnotnegative particle
γάρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
γυναικόςwomanGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
γυνὴwomanNominativesubject (verb gapped)
ἐξfrompreposition + genitive (source)
ἀνδρόςmanGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)ἀνδρός: alludes to Gen 2:22–23, Eve formed from Adam — the woman's origin 'out of' the man.
9

καὶ γὰρ οὐκ ἐκτίσθη ἀνὴρ διὰ τὴν γυναῖκα, ἀλλὰ γυνὴ διὰ τὸν ἄνδρα.

for indeed man was not created for the sake of the woman, but woman for the sake of the man.

Support from purpose of creationκαὶ γάρA second ground (καὶ γάρ, 'for indeed/also'), now from purpose rather than origin: Gen 2:18 — woman was made as a helper 'for' the man. Origin (v.8) and telos (v.9) together support v.7's ordering, before v.11–12 qualify it.
καὶandconjunction (καὶ γάρ = 'for indeed')
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐκτίσθηwas createdAor Pass Indic 3 Sg · κτίζωmain verb→ constative aoristκτίζω: 'create, found'; the divine-passive points to God as creator (Gen 2).
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject
διὰfor the sake ofpreposition + accusative (purpose)διά + acc. = 'because of, for the sake of'; here final/purpose sense.
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
γυναῖκαwomanAccusativeobject of διά
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
γυνὴwomanNominativesubject (verb gapped)
διὰfor the sake ofpreposition + accusative (purpose)
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἄνδραmanAccusativeobject of διάἀνδρα: echoes Gen 2:18, the woman made 'for' the man as a fitting helper.
10

διὰ τοῦτο ὀφείλει ἡ γυνὴ ἐξουσίαν ἔχειν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς διὰ τοὺς ἀγγέλους.

For this reason the woman ought to have authority on her head, because of the angels.

Inference / applicationδιὰ τοῦτοThe famously dense conclusion. 'Authority on her head' (ἐξουσίαν) most likely denotes the covering as a sign of her own authority to participate in worship — a positive marker, not mere submission. 'Because of the angels' is variously taken (the angels present at worship who guard order; or witnesses of created order). Paul leaves it terse.
διὰforpreposition + accusative (cause)
τοῦτοthis reasonAccusativeobject of διά (διὰ τοῦτο = 'therefore')
ὀφείλειoughtPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ὀφείλωmain verb (w/ complementary inf.)→ descriptive present (obligation)ὀφείλω: 'be obligated'; the same 'ought' applied to the man in v.7, now to the woman.
theNominativearticle
γυνὴwomanNominativesubject
ἐξουσίανauthorityAccusativedirect object (of ἔχειν)ἐξουσία: 'authority, right'; the active sense suggests the covering signifies the woman's own authority to pray/prophesy, not merely a sign of subjection — much debated.
ἔχεινto havePres Act Inf · ἔχωcomplementary infinitive→ descriptive present
ἐπὶonpreposition + genitive (place)
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
κεφαλῆςheadGenitiveobject of ἐπί (place)
διὰbecause ofpreposition + accusative (cause)
τοὺςtheAccusativearticle
ἀγγέλουςangelsAccusativeobject of διά (cause)ἄγγελος: 'messenger, angel'; the phrase is famously obscure — likely the angels who attend and guard the order of worship and creation.
11

πλὴν οὔτε γυνὴ χωρὶς ἀνδρὸς οὔτε ἀνὴρ χωρὶς γυναικὸς ἐν κυρίῳ·

Nevertheless, in the Lord woman is not apart from man, nor man apart from woman;

Qualification / counterbalanceπλήνπλήν ('nevertheless, however') guards the foregoing from being read as the woman's inferiority or independence. 'In the Lord' the two are mutually interdependent — neither exists apart from the other. The double οὔτε … οὔτε balances the ordering of vv.7–10 with reciprocity.
πλὴνneverthelessadversative particle (qualifying)πλήν: 'however, only, nevertheless'; introduces a corrective qualification to what precedes.
οὔτεneithercorrelative negative conjunction
γυνὴwomanNominativesubject (verb gapped: 'is')
χωρὶςapart fromimproper preposition + genitive (separation)χωρίς: 'without, apart from'; denotes separation — here denied, asserting interdependence.
ἀνδρὸςmanGenitiveobject of χωρίς
οὔτεnorcorrelative negative conjunction
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject (verb gapped)
χωρὶςapart fromimproper preposition + genitive (separation)
γυναικὸςwomanGenitiveobject of χωρίς
ἐνinpreposition + dative (sphere)
κυρίῳthe LordDativedat. of sphere (the new locus of relation)κύριος: 'Lord'; 'in the Lord' relativizes the creation ordering within the redeemed mutuality of the Christian community.
12

ὥσπερ γὰρ ἡ γυνὴ ἐκ τοῦ ἀνδρός, οὕτως καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ διὰ τῆς γυναικός· τὰ δὲ πάντα ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ.

for as the woman is from the man, so also the man is through the woman; but all things are from God.

Ground for the mutualityγάρGrounds v.11's reciprocity: if woman originally came 'from' man (Gen 2), every man since comes 'through' a woman (birth) — a balancing of origin. The closing clause 'all things are from God' subordinates both to the Creator, the true source.
ὥσπερascomparative conjunction (correl. w/ οὕτως)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
theNominativearticle
γυνὴwomanNominativesubject (verb gapped)
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (source)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἀνδρόςmanGenitiveobject of ἐκ (source)
οὕτωςsocorrelative adverb
καὶalsoadverbial (ascensive)
theNominativearticle
ἀνὴρmanNominativesubject (verb gapped)
διὰthroughpreposition + genitive (means/agency)διά + gen. = 'through'; the man comes 'through' the woman, i.e. by birth — balancing the woman's origin from the man.
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
γυναικόςwomanGenitiveobject of διά
τὰtheNominativearticle
δὲbutconjunction (mild contrast)
πάνταall thingsNominativesubject (verb gapped)πᾶς: 'all things'; the comprehensive neuter — the whole created order.
ἐκfrompreposition + genitive (ultimate source)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitiveobject of ἐκ (ultimate source)θεός: the final source of all — relativizing every creaturely 'from/through' under God.
13

ἐν ὑμῖν αὐτοῖς κρίνατε· πρέπον ἐστὶν γυναῖκα ἀκατακάλυπτον τῷ θεῷ προσεύχεσθαι;

Judge for yourselves: is it fitting for a woman to pray to God uncovered?

Appeal to their judgmentasyndetonPaul turns the case over to their own sense of fitness (κρίνατε, imperative). The rhetorical question expects the answer 'no,' appealing to a shared instinct of propriety (πρέπον) before the argument from nature in vv.14–15.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative
ὑμῖνyourselvesDativeobject of ἐν
αὐτοῖςyourselvesDativeintensive pronoun (ἐν ὑμῖν αὐτοῖς = 'among your own selves')
κρίνατεjudgeAor Act Impv 2 Pl · κρίνωimperative (appeal)→ ingressive aorist (command to decide)κρίνω: 'judge, decide'; Paul invites their own discernment of what is fitting.
πρέπονfittingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Neut · πρέπωpredicate participle (impersonal 'it is fitting')→ present (stative)πρέπω: 'be fitting, suitable, proper'; the participle πρέπον with ἐστίν = 'it is becoming.'
ἐστὶνis itPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (impersonal)→ stative present
γυναῖκαa womanAccusativeaccusative subject of infinitive
ἀκατακάλυπτονuncoveredAccusativepredicate adjective (w/ subject of inf.)ἀκατακάλυπτος: 'uncovered'; cf. v.5 — the manner under scrutiny.
τῷtoDativearticle
θεῷGodDativedat. of recipient (w/ προσεύχεσθαι)θεός: the address of prayer — heightening the gravity of doing so uncovered.
προσεύχεσθαιto prayPres Mid Inf · προσεύχομαιinfinitive (subject of πρέπον ἐστίν)→ descriptive present
14

οὐδὲ ἡ φύσις αὐτὴ διδάσκει ὑμᾶς ὅτι ἀνὴρ μὲν ἐὰν κομᾷ ἀτιμία αὐτῷ ἐστιν,

Does not nature itself teach you that if a man has long hair it is a dishonor to him,

Argument from nature (male)asyndetonA second rhetorical question (οὐδέ … expecting 'yes, it does'), appealing to 'nature' — ingrained cultural-natural sensibility about hair. The μέν anticipates the contrasting δέ of v.15 (man's long hair a dishonor / woman's a glory).
οὐδὲnot even / nornegative conjunction (in question, expects 'yes')
theNominativearticle
φύσιςnatureNominativesubjectφύσις: 'nature'; here the customary, ingrained sense of what is natural and fitting — overlapping convention and creation.
αὐτὴitselfNominativeintensive pronoun
διδάσκειteachPres Act Indic 3 Sg · διδάσκωmain verb→ gnomic presentδιδάσκω: 'teach'; nature personified as instructor.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of teaching)
ἀνὴρa manNominativesubject (of ἐὰν κομᾷ)
μὲνindeedparticle (correl. w/ δέ, v.15)
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (third class)
κομᾷhas long hairPres Act Subj 3 Sg · κομάωverb (protasis of conditional)→ customary presentκομάω: 'wear long hair, let the hair grow' (κόμη, 'hair'); of cultivated long hair, not mere length.
ἀτιμίαa dishonorNominativepredicate nominativeἀτιμία: 'dishonor, disgrace' (alpha-privative + τιμή, 'honor'); the honor-shame frame again.
αὐτῷto himDativedative of disadvantage
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (apodosis)→ gnomic present
15

γυνὴ δὲ ἐὰν κομᾷ δόξα αὐτῇ ἐστιν; ὅτι ἡ κόμη ἀντὶ περιβολαίου δέδοται αὐτῇ.

but if a woman has long hair it is a glory to her? For her hair has been given to her in place of a covering.

Argument from nature (female)δέThe contrasting half: a woman's long hair is her δόξα (echoing vv.7–8). The ὅτι clause supplies the reason — hair is given 'in place of' (or 'as') a covering, providing a natural analogue to the worship-covering and rounding off the appeal to nature.
γυνὴa womanNominativesubject
δὲbutadversative conjunction (μέν … δέ)
ἐὰνifconditional conjunction (third class)
κομᾷhas long hairPres Act Subj 3 Sg · κομάωverb (protasis)→ customary present
δόξαa gloryNominativepredicate nominativeδόξα: 'glory'; the keyword of vv.7–8 reappears — the woman's hair displays honor.
αὐτῇto herDativedative of advantage
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (apodosis)→ gnomic present
ὅτιfor / becausecausal conjunction
theNominativearticle
κόμηhairNominativesubjectκόμη: 'hair (of the head)'; the long, cultivated hair (cognate w/ κομάω).
ἀντὶin place ofpreposition + genitive (substitution/equivalence)ἀντί: 'instead of, in place of'; here perhaps 'corresponding to, as' a covering — the hair as a natural analogue.
περιβολαίουa coveringGenitiveobject of ἀντίπεριβόλαιον: 'wrap, mantle, covering' (from περιβάλλω, 'throw around'); something thrown about for covering.
δέδοταιhas been givenPerf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · δίδωμιmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ intensive perfect (abiding gift)δίδωμι: 'give'; the divine-passive perfect — God's settled provision; hair stands as a given covering.
αὐτῇto herDativedative of advantage/recipient
16

Εἰ δέ τις δοκεῖ φιλόνεικος εἶναι, ἡμεῖς τοιαύτην συνήθειαν οὐκ ἔχομεν, οὐδὲ αἱ ἐκκλησίαι τοῦ θεοῦ.

But if anyone is inclined to be contentious, we have no such custom, nor do the churches of God.

Closing appeal to customδέPaul forecloses prolonged dispute by appeal to apostolic and universal-church practice. 'No such custom' most naturally means no custom of contentiousness (or of women praying uncovered); the appeal to all 'the churches of God' caps the argument with catholic precedent.
Εἰifconditional conjunction (first class)
δέbuttransitional/adversative conjunction
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)
δοκεῖis inclined / thinksPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δοκέωmain verb (w/ inf.)→ descriptive presentδοκέω: 'seem, think, be disposed'; here 'is minded/inclined' to be quarrelsome.
φιλόνεικοςcontentiousNominativepredicate adjective (w/ εἶναι)φιλόνεικος: 'fond of strife, contentious' (φίλος + νεῖκος, 'quarrel'); a lover of dispute for its own sake.
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίcomplementary infinitive→ stative present
ἡμεῖςweNominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
τοιαύτηνsuchAccusativeattributive demonstrative adjective
συνήθειανcustomAccusativedirect objectσυνήθεια: 'custom, habitual practice' (σύν + ἦθος); 'no such custom' — of contention, or of the disputed practice.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔχομενwe havePres Act Indic 1 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ customary present
οὐδὲnornegative conjunction
αἱtheNominativearticle
ἐκκλησίαιchurchesNominativesubject (verb gapped)ἐκκλησία: 'assembly, church'; the appeal to the universal practice of all the congregations.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession
17

Τοῦτο δὲ παραγγέλλων οὐκ ἐπαινῶ ὅτι οὐκ εἰς τὸ κρεῖσσον ἀλλὰ εἰς τὸ ἧσσον συνέρχεσθε.

But in giving this charge I do not praise you, because you come together not for the better but for the worse.

Transition to rebukeδέA pointed pivot: where v.2 began with praise, here Paul withholds it (οὐκ ἐπαινῶ). The reason follows — their very assemblies are doing more harm than good, introducing the Lord's Supper abuses of vv.18–34.
ΤοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (of παραγγέλλων)
δὲbuttransitional/adversative conjunction
παραγγέλλωνcharging / instructingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · παραγγέλλωadverbial participle (temporal/circumstantial)→ present (concurrent)παραγγέλλω: 'command, charge, give instruction'; a weighty term for an authoritative directive.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐπαινῶI praisePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπαινέωmain verb→ descriptive presentἐπαινέω: 'praise'; the deliberate negation of v.2 — the frame of the chapter turns from commendation to censure.
ὅτιbecausecausal conjunction
οὐκnotnegative particle
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (result/goal)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
κρεῖσσονbetterAccusativesubstantival comparative adjectiveκρείσσων: 'better, superior'; comparative of ἀγαθός/κρατύς — 'the better.'
ἀλλὰbutstrong adversative conjunction
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (result)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes adj.)
ἧσσονworseAccusativesubstantival comparative adjectiveἥσσων: 'lesser, worse'; comparative — 'the worse.' Their meetings damage rather than build.
συνέρχεσθεyou come togetherPres Mid Indic 2 Pl · συνέρχομαιmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ customary presentσυνέρχομαι: 'come together, assemble' (σύν + ἔρχομαι); the keyword of the section (vv.17, 18, 20, 33, 34).
18

πρῶτον μὲν γὰρ συνερχομένων ὑμῶν ἐν ἐκκλησίᾳ ἀκούω σχίσματα ἐν ὑμῖν ὑπάρχειν, καὶ μέρος τι πιστεύω.

For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it.

Ground: the report of divisionsγάρThe first (πρῶτον) and chief problem: σχίσματα at the assembly. The genitive absolute sets the scene. 'In part I believe it' is a measured, almost ironic concession — Paul credits the report enough to address it.
πρῶτονfirstadverb (sequence)πρῶτον: 'first(ly)'; the μέν that follows leaves its answering δέ unfulfilled (a μέν solitarium).
μὲνindeedparticle (μέν solitarium)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
συνερχομένωνcoming togetherPres Mid Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · συνέρχομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ present (concurrent)συνέρχομαι: 'assemble'; the gathering 'as a church' is the setting of the abuse.
ὑμῶνyouGenitivesubject of genitive absolute
ἐνas / inpreposition + dative
ἐκκλησίᾳa churchDativeobject of ἐν ('in assembly')ἐκκλησία: here in the sense of the gathered congregation/assembly.
ἀκούωI hearPres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἀκούωmain verb→ descriptive presentἀκούω: 'hear'; Paul reports what has reached him (cf. 1:11).
σχίσματαdivisionsAccusativeaccusative subject of ὑπάρχεινσχίσμα: 'tear, split, division' (from σχίζω, 'tear'); the same word as 1:10 — factionalism rends the body.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
ὑπάρχεινto exist / there to bePres Act Inf · ὑπάρχωinfinitive (indirect discourse w/ ἀκούω)→ stative presentὑπάρχω: 'be, exist'; in indirect discourse, 'that divisions exist.'
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
μέροςpartAccusativeaccusative of respect (μέρος τι = 'in part')μέρος: 'part, portion'; μέρος τι = 'partly, to some extent.'
τιsomeAccusativeindefinite adjective
πιστεύωI believe itPres Act Indic 1 Sg · πιστεύωmain verb→ descriptive presentπιστεύω: 'believe, credit'; here 'I credit (the report) in part' — a guarded acceptance.
19

δεῖ γὰρ καὶ αἱρέσεις ἐν ὑμῖν εἶναι, ἵνα καὶ οἱ δόκιμοι φανεροὶ γένωνται ἐν ὑμῖν.

For there must even be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you.

Explanation (divine purpose in divisions)γάρA theological aside: such factions, though evil, serve under God's providence to disclose the genuine (οἱ δόκιμοι). The δεῖ ('it is necessary') reflects an eschatological inevitability, not divine approval of the strife.
δεῖit must / is necessaryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · δεῖimpersonal verb (w/ inf.)→ descriptive present (necessity)δεῖ: 'it is necessary'; here a quasi-eschatological 'must' — divisions inevitably arise before the end.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
καὶevenadverbial (ascensive)
αἱρέσειςfactionsNominativesubject (of εἶναι)αἵρεσις: 'choice, party, faction' (later 'heresy'); here a hardened party-spirit, intensifying σχίσματα.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
εἶναιto bePres Act Inf · εἰμίinfinitive (subject of δεῖ)→ stative present
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose/result)
καὶalsoadverbial
οἱtheNominativearticle
δόκιμοιapprovedNominativesubject (substantival adjective)δόκιμος: 'approved, tested-and-genuine' (from δοκιμάζω, to test metal); the proven ones revealed by the sifting.
φανεροὶevidentNominativepredicate adjective (w/ γένωνται)φανερός: 'manifest, evident'; the genuine become visible through the testing.
γένωνταιmay becomeAor Mid Subj 3 Pl · γίνομαιsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ ingressive aoristγίνομαι: 'become, come to be'; the emergence of the proven into view.
ἐνamongpreposition + dative
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
20

Συνερχομένων οὖν ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτὸ οὐκ ἔστιν κυριακὸν δεῖπνον φαγεῖν·

When you come together, then, in the same place, it is not the Lord's Supper that you eat;

Inference / indictmentοὖνDrawing the consequence (οὖν): given their divisions, what they hold is not in truth the κυριακὸν δεῖπνον. The only NT occurrence of 'the Lord's Supper' — their selfish manner empties the meal of its meaning.
Συνερχομένωνcoming togetherPres Mid Ptc · Gen Pl Masc · συνέρχομαιgenitive absolute (temporal)→ present (concurrent)
οὖνtheninferential conjunction
ὑμῶνyouGenitivesubject of genitive absolute
ἐπὶinpreposition + accusative (ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό = 'together')ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό: idiom, 'to the same place, together' (cf. Acts 2:1).
τὸtheAccusativearticle
αὐτὸsame (place)Accusativeobject of ἐπί
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔστινit isPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (impersonal)→ stative present
κυριακὸνthe Lord'sAccusativeattributive adjectiveκυριακός: 'belonging to the Lord' (from κύριος); only here and Rev 1:10 ('the Lord's day') in the NT.
δεῖπνονSupperAccusativeobject of φαγεῖνδεῖπνον: 'dinner, principal meal'; the communal meal at which the Eucharist was set.
φαγεῖνto eatAor Act Inf · ἐσθίωepexegetical/explanatory infinitive→ constative aoristἐσθίω (aor. ἔφαγον): 'eat'; the infinitive specifies what is 'not possible/not the case' — to eat it as the Lord's Supper.
21

ἕκαστος γὰρ τὸ ἴδιον δεῖπνον προλαμβάνει ἐν τῷ φαγεῖν, καὶ ὃς μὲν πεινᾷ, ὃς δὲ μεθύει.

for each one takes his own supper ahead in the eating, and one goes hungry while another gets drunk.

Ground: the selfish mannerγάρThe reason it is not the Lord's Supper: instead of sharing, each grabs his own food first (προλαμβάνει), exposing the social rift — the well-off feast and get drunk while the poor go hungry. The ὃς μέν … ὃς δέ sharply juxtaposes the two.
ἕκαστοςeach oneNominativesubjectἕκαστος: 'each, every one'; the individualism that fractures the shared meal.
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ἴδιονownAccusativeattributive adjectiveἴδιος: 'one's own, private'; the antithesis of the common meal — each consumes 'his own.'
δεῖπνονsupperAccusativedirect object
προλαμβάνειtakes aheadPres Act Indic 3 Sg · προλαμβάνωmain verb→ customary presentπρολαμβάνω: 'take beforehand, anticipate' (πρό + λαμβάνω); each eats his own first, not waiting for the others (cf. v.33).
ἐνinpreposition + dat. (articular inf.: temporal)
τῷtheDativearticle (substantizes inf.)
φαγεῖνeatingAor Act Inf · ἐσθίωarticular infinitive (temporal, 'in the eating')→ constative aorist
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ὃςoneNominativerelative used as demonstrative (ὃς μέν)ὃς μέν … ὃς δέ: idiom, 'the one … the other.'
μὲνindeedparticle (correl. w/ δέ)
πεινᾷgoes hungryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πεινάωmain verb→ descriptive presentπεινάω: 'be hungry'; the poor who arrive late or bring little are left with nothing.
ὃςanotherNominativerelative used as demonstrative (ὃς δέ)
δὲwhile / butadversative particle (μέν … δέ)
μεθύειgets drunkPres Act Indic 3 Sg · μεθύωmain verb→ descriptive presentμεθύω: 'be drunk'; the affluent gorge — a stark indictment of the social divide at the table.
22

μὴ γὰρ οἰκίας οὐκ ἔχετε εἰς τὸ ἐσθίειν καὶ πίνειν; ἢ τῆς ἐκκλησίας τοῦ θεοῦ καταφρονεῖτε, καὶ καταισχύνετε τοὺς μὴ ἔχοντας; τί εἴπω ὑμῖν; ἐπαινέσω ὑμᾶς; ἐν τούτῳ οὐκ ἐπαινῶ.

What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I do not praise you.

Rebuke by rhetorical questionsγάρA volley of indignant questions. If it is mere eating they want, that belongs at home; to do this in the assembly is to despise God's church and shame the poor. The closing 'in this I do not praise you' inclusio-echoes v.17 and seals the rebuke before the corrective tradition of vv.23–26.
μὴ(surely not)interrogative particle (expects 'no')μή: in a question, anticipates a negative answer — 'you don't, do you?'
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
οἰκίαςhousesAccusativedirect objectοἰκία: 'house, home'; private feasting belongs at home, not the assembly.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἔχετεyou havePres Act Indic 2 Pl · ἔχωmain verb→ stative present
εἰςforpreposition + acc. (articular inf.: purpose)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes inf.)
ἐσθίεινeatingPres Act Inf · ἐσθίωarticular infinitive (purpose)→ descriptive present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πίνεινdrinkingPres Act Inf · πίνωinfinitive (coordinate)→ descriptive presentπίνω: 'drink'; paired with eating throughout the section (vv.25–29).
ordisjunctive conjunction
τῆςtheGenitivearticle
ἐκκλησίαςchurchGenitivegenitive object of καταφρονεῖτεἐκκλησία: 'church'; to abuse the gathering is to despise God's own people.
τοῦofGenitivearticle
θεοῦGodGenitivegenitive of possession
καταφρονεῖτεdo you despisePres Act Indic 2 Pl · καταφρονέωmain verb (rhetorical question)→ descriptive presentκαταφρονέω: 'look down on, despise, scorn' (κατά + φρονέω); their conduct holds the assembly in contempt.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
καταισχύνετεhumiliatePres Act Indic 2 Pl · καταισχύνωmain verb→ descriptive presentκαταισχύνω: 'put to shame, humiliate'; the same verb as vv.4–5, now the poor are shamed.
τοὺςthoseAccusativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ participle)
ἔχονταςhaving (nothing)Pres Act Ptc · Acc Pl Masc · ἔχωsubstantival participle (the poor)→ present (stative)ἔχω: 'have'; οἱ μὴ ἔχοντες = 'the have-nots,' the poor with no food to bring.
τίwhatAccusativeinterrogative pronoun (object of εἴπω)
εἴπωshall I sayAor Act Subj 1 Sg · λέγωdeliberative subjunctive→ deliberative aoristλέγω (aor. εἶπον): the deliberative subjunctive — 'what am I to say?'
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ἐπαινέσωshall I praiseAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἐπαινέωdeliberative subjunctive→ deliberative aoristἐπαινέω: 'praise'; the verb of v.2, 17 — posed as a question and immediately answered.
ὑμᾶςyouAccusativedirect object
ἐνinpreposition + dative
τούτῳthisDativeobject of ἐν (demonstrative)
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἐπαινῶI praisePres Act Indic 1 Sg · ἐπαινέωmain verb→ descriptive presentἐπαινέω: the emphatic verdict — 'in this I do not praise.'
23

ἐγὼ γὰρ παρέλαβον ἀπὸ τοῦ κυρίου ὃ καὶ παρέδωκα ὑμῖν, ὅτι ὁ κύριος Ἰησοῦς ἐν τῇ νυκτὶ ᾗ παρεδίδετο ἔλαβεν ἄρτον

For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus, on the night in which he was being betrayed, took bread,

Ground: the received traditionγάρAgainst the abuse Paul sets the dominical institution. The technical pair παρέλαβον … παρέδωκα ('I received … I delivered'; cf. v.2; 15:3) marks a fixed tradition traced 'from the Lord.' The solemn time-marker 'on the night he was betrayed' grounds the meal in the passion itself — the earliest written account of the Supper.
ἐγὼINominativesubject (emphatic pronoun)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
παρέλαβονI receivedAor Act Indic 1 Sg · παραλαμβάνωmain verb→ constative aoristπαραλαμβάνω: 'receive (from another), take over'; the counterpart of παραδίδωμι — receiving authoritative tradition.
ἀπὸfrompreposition + genitive (ultimate source)ἀπό: 'from'; the tradition's origin is the Lord himself, whether mediated or by revelation.
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitiveobject of ἀπό (source)κύριος: 'Lord'; the risen Christ as the source and authority of the tradition.
that whichAccusativerelative pronoun (object of παρέδωκα)
καὶalsoadverbial
παρέδωκαI deliveredAor Act Indic 1 Sg · παραδίδωμιverb (relative clause)→ constative aoristπαραδίδωμι: 'hand on, deliver'; the same verb of v.2 — what Paul received he faithfully transmitted (note the wordplay with παρεδίδετο, 'was betrayed,' below).
ὑμῖνto youDativeindirect object
ὅτιthatconjunction (content of the tradition)
theNominativearticle
κύριοςLordNominativesubjectκύριος: the title underscores that the one instituting is the Lord whose Supper it is (v.20).
ἸησοῦςJesusNominativeapposition to ὁ κύριος
ἐνon / inpreposition + dative (time)
τῇtheDativearticle
νυκτὶnightDativedat. of time (when)νύξ: 'night'; the solemn night of betrayal anchors the meal in the passion.
in whichDativerelative pronoun (dat. of time)
παρεδίδετοhe was being betrayed / handed overImpf Mid/Pass Indic 3 Sg · παραδίδωμιverb (relative clause)→ progressive imperfectπαραδίδωμι: 'hand over, betray'; the same verb as 'I delivered' (above) — a poignant wordplay: Jesus 'handed over' the meal on the night he was 'handed over.'
ἔλαβενtookAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λαμβάνωmain verb (ὅτι clause)→ constative aoristλαμβάνω: 'take'; the first of the institution actions (took, gave thanks, broke, said).
ἄρτονbreadAccusativedirect objectἄρτος: 'bread, loaf'; the staple, here the eucharistic loaf (cf. 10:16–17).
24

καὶ εὐχαριστήσας ἔκλασεν καὶ εἶπεν· Τοῦτό μού ἐστιν τὸ σῶμα τὸ ὑπὲρ ὑμῶν· τοῦτο ποιεῖτε εἰς τὴν ἐμὴν ἀνάμνησιν.

and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me."

Institution: the breadasyndetonThe bread-word. The participial chain (giving thanks → broke → said) recounts the dominical actions. 'My body which is for you' interprets the broken bread as the self-giving of Christ; the command 'do this εἰς … ἀνάμνησιν' makes the meal a recurring memorial-proclamation, not a one-time act.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εὐχαριστήσαςhaving given thanksAor Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · εὐχαριστέωadverbial participle (antecedent)→ antecedent aoristεὐχαριστέω: 'give thanks'; the source of 'Eucharist' — the thanksgiving over the bread.
ἔκλασενhe brokeAor Act Indic 3 Sg · κλάωmain verb→ constative aoristκλάω: 'break'; the breaking of the one loaf (cf. 10:16–17, the one bread/one body).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
εἶπενsaidAor Act Indic 3 Sg · λέγωmain verb→ constative aorist
ΤοῦτόthisNominativesubject (demonstrative)τοῦτο: neuter, agreeing with the predicate σῶμα — 'this (bread) is my body.'
μούmyGenitivepossessive genitive
ἐστινisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
τὸtheNominativearticle
σῶμαbodyNominativepredicate nominativeσῶμα: 'body'; the bread identified with Christ's body given in death (and resonant with the ecclesial 'body,' v.29; ch. 12).
τὸthe (one)Nominativearticle (attributive position)
ὑπὲρforpreposition + genitive (benefit/substitution)ὑπέρ: 'on behalf of, for'; the body given 'for you' — vicarious self-offering (the later witnesses add κλώμενον, 'broken').
ὑμῶνyouGenitiveobject of ὑπέρ
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (of ποιεῖτε)
ποιεῖτεdoPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιέωimperative (institution command)→ customary present (durative command)ποιέω: 'do, perform'; the present imperative commands a repeated, ongoing practice.
εἰςin / forpreposition + accusative (purpose)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐμὴνmy / of meAccusativepossessive adjectiveἐμός: 'my'; the emphatic possessive — 'my remembrance,' i.e. remembrance of me.
ἀνάμνησινremembranceAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)ἀνάμνησις: 'remembrance, memorial' (ἀνά + μιμνῄσκω); more than mental recall — a covenantal re-presenting before God (cf. the Passover memorial).
25

ὡσαύτως καὶ τὸ ποτήριον μετὰ τὸ δειπνῆσαι, λέγων· Τοῦτο τὸ ποτήριον ἡ καινὴ διαθήκη ἐστὶν ἐν τῷ ἐμῷ αἵματι· τοῦτο ποιεῖτε, ὁσάκις ἐὰν πίνητε, εἰς τὴν ἐμὴν ἀνάμνησιν.

In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me."

Institution: the cupasyndetonThe cup-word, parallel (ὡσαύτως) to the bread. 'After supper' shows the cup followed the meal, fitting the abuse of vv.20–21. The cup is 'the new covenant in my blood' (Jer 31:31; Exod 24:8) — the inauguration of the promised covenant by Christ's death; the memorial command and 'as often as' establish recurrence.
ὡσαύτωςin the same wayadverb (manner)ὡσαύτως: 'likewise, in the same way'; parallels the cup-action to the bread-action.
καὶalsoadverbial
τὸtheAccusativearticle (object of implied ἔλαβεν)
ποτήριονcupAccusativedirect object (verb 'took' gapped)ποτήριον: 'cup, drinking-vessel'; by metonymy its contents — 'the cup of the Lord' (10:21).
μετὰafterpreposition + acc. (articular inf.: time)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes inf.)
δειπνῆσαιsuppingAor Act Inf · δειπνέωarticular infinitive (temporal, 'after supping')→ constative aoristδειπνέω: 'dine, take the main meal' (cf. δεῖπνον, v.20–21); the cup came after the meal proper.
λέγωνsayingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · λέγωadverbial participle (manner)→ present (concurrent)
ΤοῦτοthisNominativesubject (demonstrative)
τὸtheNominativearticle
ποτήριονcupNominativesubject (apposition to τοῦτο)
theNominativearticle
καινὴnewNominativeattributive adjectiveκαινός: 'new (in quality/kind)'; the long-promised 'new covenant' of Jer 31:31.
διαθήκηcovenantNominativepredicate nominativeδιαθήκη: 'covenant, testament'; the binding divine arrangement, here inaugurated in Christ's blood (Exod 24:8; Jer 31).
ἐστὶνisPres Act Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula→ stative present
ἐνinpreposition + dative (means/instrument)
τῷtheDativearticle
ἐμῷmyDativepossessive adjective
αἵματιbloodDativedat. of means (covenant-ratifying death)αἷμα: 'blood'; the sacrificial death that ratifies the covenant — the cup signifies the blood (cf. 10:16).
τοῦτοthisAccusativedirect object (of ποιεῖτε)
ποιεῖτεdoPres Act Impv 2 Pl · ποιέωimperative (institution command)→ customary present (durative command)
ὁσάκιςas often astemporal adverb (indefinite frequency)ὁσάκις: 'as often as, whenever'; with ἐάν + subjunctive, of repeated occasions.
ἐὰν(-ever)particle (w/ ὁσάκις, indefinite)
πίνητεyou drinkPres Act Subj 2 Pl · πίνωsubjunctive (indefinite temporal clause)→ customary presentπίνω: 'drink'; the recurring act that re-enacts the memorial.
εἰςin / forpreposition + accusative (purpose)
τὴνtheAccusativearticle
ἐμὴνmy / of meAccusativepossessive adjective
ἀνάμνησινremembranceAccusativeobject of εἰς (purpose)ἀνάμνησις: the second memorial command — bread and cup alike re-present Christ.
26

ὁσάκις γὰρ ἐὰν ἐσθίητε τὸν ἄρτον τοῦτον καὶ τὸ ποτήριον πίνητε, τὸν θάνατον τοῦ κυρίου καταγγέλλετε, ἄχρι οὗ ἔλθῃ.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

Interpretation of the riteγάρPaul's own gloss on the tradition: the meal is a proclamation (καταγγέλλετε) of the Lord's death — a visible, communal preaching — bounded eschatologically 'until he comes.' The Supper looks back to the cross and forward to the parousia; this verse grounds the worthiness warning of v.27.
ὁσάκιςas often astemporal adverb (indefinite frequency)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐὰν(-ever)particle (w/ ὁσάκις)
ἐσθίητεyou eatPres Act Subj 2 Pl · ἐσθίωsubjunctive (indefinite temporal clause)→ customary presentἐσθίω: 'eat'; the recurring eating that proclaims.
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἄρτονbreadAccusativedirect objectἄρτος: 'bread'; with the demonstrative, 'this bread' of the institution.
τοῦτονthisAccusativeattributive demonstrative
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ποτήριονcupAccusativedirect object (of πίνητε)
πίνητεyou drinkPres Act Subj 2 Pl · πίνωsubjunctive (indefinite temporal clause)→ customary present
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
θάνατονdeathAccusativedirect object (of καταγγέλλετε)θάνατος: 'death'; the cross is the content proclaimed in the meal.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivepossessive/subjective genitiveκύριος: 'Lord'; whose death the rite announces.
καταγγέλλετεyou proclaimPres Act Indic 2 Pl · καταγγέλλωmain verb (apodosis)→ customary/gnomic presentκαταγγέλλω: 'proclaim, announce'; the Supper is itself a preaching of the cross (indicative, not imperative).
ἄχριuntilimproper preposition/conjunction (temporal limit)ἄχρι οὗ: 'until (the time when)'; sets the eschatological terminus.
οὗwhichGenitiverelative (w/ ἄχρι, temporal)
ἔλθῃhe comesAor Act Subj 3 Sg · ἔρχομαιsubjunctive (indefinite temporal clause)→ ingressive aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; the parousia — the Supper is provisional, looking to Christ's return (cf. Marana tha, 16:22).
27

Ὥστε ὃς ἂν ἐσθίῃ τὸν ἄρτον ἢ πίνῃ τὸ ποτήριον τοῦ κυρίου ἀναξίως, ἔνοχος ἔσται τοῦ σώματος καὶ τοῦ αἵματος τοῦ κυρίου.

So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.

Inference / warningὭστεDrawing the practical consequence (ὥστε) from vv.23–26: because the meal proclaims the Lord's death, to partake 'unworthily' (in the divisive, contemptuous manner of vv.20–22) is to sin against the very body and blood it represents — to incur liability for the Lord himself.
Ὥστεso theninferential conjunction (result)ὥστε: 'so that, therefore'; draws the consequence.
ὃςwhoeverNominativeindefinite relative (subject)ὃς ἄν: 'whoever' — a general statement.
ἂν-everparticle (w/ subj., indefinite)
ἐσθίῃeatsPres Act Subj 3 Sg · ἐσθίωsubjunctive (indefinite relative clause)→ customary present
τὸνtheAccusativearticle
ἄρτονbreadAccusativedirect object
ordisjunctive conjunction
πίνῃdrinksPres Act Subj 3 Sg · πίνωsubjunctive (indefinite relative clause)→ customary present
τὸtheAccusativearticle
ποτήριονcupAccusativedirect object
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivepossessive genitive (modifies both ἄρτον and ποτήριον)
ἀναξίωςunworthilyadverb (manner)ἀναξίως: 'in an unworthy manner' (ἀν- + ἄξιος); adverb — the manner of eating, not the worthiness of the person.
ἔνοχοςguilty / liableNominativepredicate adjectiveἔνοχος: 'liable, guilty, answerable to' (+ gen.); a legal term — held accountable for the body and blood.
ἔσταιwill beFut Mid Indic 3 Sg · εἰμίcopula (apodosis)→ predictive future
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
σώματοςbodyGenitivegenitive (w/ ἔνοχος: liability for)σῶμα: 'body'; sinning against the body Christ gave (and the body that is the church).
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
αἵματοςbloodGenitivegenitive (w/ ἔνοχος)αἷμα: 'blood'; the covenant-blood of v.25 — to profane the rite is to wrong the death it proclaims.
τοῦof theGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivepossessive genitive
28

δοκιμαζέτω δὲ ἄνθρωπος ἑαυτόν, καὶ οὕτως ἐκ τοῦ ἄρτου ἐσθιέτω καὶ ἐκ τοῦ ποτηρίου πινέτω·

But let a person examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup;

Prescription / remedyδέThe remedy for unworthy participation: self-examination (δοκιμαζέτω, cognate with οἱ δόκιμοι, v.19), then partaking. The point is not abstention but a proving that issues in right participation — 'and so' (οὕτως) eat and drink.
δοκιμαζέτωlet him examinePres Act Impv 3 Sg · δοκιμάζωimperative→ customary present (durative command)δοκιμάζω: 'test, prove, examine (as metal)'; the same root as οἱ δόκιμοι (v.19) — self-scrutiny that issues in genuineness.
δὲbuttransitional/mildly adversative conjunction
ἄνθρωποςa personNominativesubjectἄνθρωπος: 'human being, person'; the generic 'anyone' — each must examine himself.
ἑαυτόνhimselfAccusativereflexive pronoun (direct object)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
οὕτωςsoadverb (manner: 'in this way, then')οὕτως: 'thus, so'; having examined, then partake — the rite is not abolished but rightly approached.
ἐκof / frompreposition + genitive (partitive)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ἄρτουbreadGenitivepartitive genitive (object of ἐσθιέτω)
ἐσθιέτωlet him eatPres Act Impv 3 Sg · ἐσθίωimperative→ customary present (durative command)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἐκof / frompreposition + genitive (partitive)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
ποτηρίουcupGenitivepartitive genitive (object of πινέτω)
πινέτωlet him drinkPres Act Impv 3 Sg · πίνωimperative→ customary present (durative command)
29

ὁ γὰρ ἐσθίων καὶ πίνων κρίμα ἑαυτῷ ἐσθίει καὶ πίνει μὴ διακρίνων τὸ σῶμα.

For the one who eats and drinks eats and drinks judgment on himself, if he does not discern the body.

Ground for the warningγάρGrounds the call to examine: eating without 'discerning the body' brings judgment on oneself. 'The body' likely points both to the Lord's body in the meal and to the church-body being fractured (vv.20–22) — failing to recognize either profanes the Supper.
the (one)Nominativearticle (substantizes ptc.)
γὰρforexplanatory conjunction
ἐσθίωνeatingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · ἐσθίωsubstantival participle (subject)→ present (general)
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πίνωνdrinkingPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · πίνωsubstantival participle (coordinate subject)→ present (general)
κρίμαjudgmentAccusativedirect object (cognate-like w/ verbs)κρίμα: 'judgment, verdict, condemnation'; here a chastening judgment (cf. v.32), not final damnation.
ἑαυτῷon himselfDativedative of disadvantage (reflexive)
ἐσθίειeatsPres Act Indic 3 Sg · ἐσθίωmain verb→ gnomic present
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
πίνειdrinksPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πίνωmain verb→ gnomic present
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ participle)
διακρίνωνdiscerningPres Act Ptc · Nom Sg Masc · διακρίνωconditional/causal participle→ present (concurrent)διακρίνω: 'distinguish, discern, judge rightly' (διά + κρίνω); a wordplay with κρίμα/κρίνω of vv.29–32 — to fail to 'discern' brings 'judgment.'
τὸtheAccusativearticle
σῶμαbodyAccusativedirect object (of διακρίνων)σῶμα: 'body'; the object not discerned — the Lord's body in the meal and/or the church as Christ's body (the later witnesses add τοῦ κυρίου).
30

διὰ τοῦτο ἐν ὑμῖν πολλοὶ ἀσθενεῖς καὶ ἄρρωστοι καὶ κοιμῶνται ἱκανοί.

For this reason many among you are weak and ill, and a number have fallen asleep.

Evidence of the judgmentδιὰ τοῦτοPaul reads present afflictions in the community — sickness and even death — as the disciplinary 'judgment' of v.29 already at work. 'Fallen asleep' (κοιμῶνται) is the gentle Christian idiom for the death of believers, framing it as discipline, not damnation (v.32).
διὰforpreposition + accusative (cause)
τοῦτοthis reasonAccusativeobject of διά (διὰ τοῦτο = 'therefore')
ἐνamongpreposition + dative
ὑμῖνyouDativeobject of ἐν
πολλοὶmanyNominativesubject (substantival adjective)
ἀσθενεῖςweakNominativepredicate adjectiveἀσθενής: 'weak, sickly' (alpha-privative + σθένος, 'strength'); physical infirmity.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
ἄρρωστοιillNominativepredicate adjectiveἄρρωστος: 'sick, infirm' (alpha-privative + ῥώννυμι, 'be strong'); a near-synonym intensifying ἀσθενεῖς.
καὶandcoordinating conjunction
κοιμῶνταιhave fallen asleepPres Mid/Pass Indic 3 Pl · κοιμάομαιmain verb→ present (resultant state)κοιμάομαι: 'sleep, fall asleep'; the tender euphemism for the death of believers — implying hope of resurrection (cf. 15:6, 18, 20).
ἱκανοίa number / quite a fewNominativesubject (substantival adjective)ἱκανός: 'sufficient, considerable'; here 'a good number, quite a few.'
31

εἰ δὲ ἑαυτοὺς διεκρίνομεν, οὐκ ἂν ἐκρινόμεθα·

But if we judged ourselves rightly, we would not be judged;

Conditional remedyδέA second-class (contrary-to-fact) condition: honest self-discernment would forestall the Lord's judgment. The wordplay continues — διεκρίνομεν ('discern ourselves') / ἐκρινόμεθα ('be judged') — pressing the call of v.28 to self-examination.
εἰifconditional conjunction (second class)
δὲbuttransitional/adversative conjunction
ἑαυτοὺςourselvesAccusativereflexive pronoun (direct object)
διεκρίνομενwe judged / discernedImpf Act Indic 1 Pl · διακρίνωmain verb (protasis, contrary-to-fact)→ imperfect (unreal condition)διακρίνω: 'discern, judge (oneself)'; the same verb as v.29 — proper self-judgment averts divine judgment.
οὐκnotnegative particle
ἂνwouldparticle (marks unreal apodosis)ἄν: signals the contrary-to-fact apodosis.
ἐκρινόμεθαwe would be judgedImpf Mid/Pass Indic 1 Pl · κρίνωmain verb (apodosis, contrary-to-fact)→ imperfect (unreal condition)κρίνω: 'judge'; the divine judgment of v.29–30 that self-judgment would have prevented.
32

κρινόμενοι δὲ ὑπὸ τοῦ κυρίου παιδευόμεθα, ἵνα μὴ σὺν τῷ κόσμῳ κατακριθῶμεν.

but when we are judged, we are disciplined by the Lord, so that we may not be condemned with the world.

Reassurance / purposeδέA consoling clarification: the Lord's judgment on believers is fatherly discipline (παιδευόμεθα), aimed at their salvation — that they not share the final condemnation (κατακριθῶμεν) of the world. Judgment now spares from judgment then.
κρινόμενοιbeing judgedPres Mid/Pass Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · κρίνωtemporal/concessive participle→ present (concurrent)κρίνω: 'judge'; the present discipline as a being-judged by the Lord.
δὲbutadversative conjunction
ὑπὸbypreposition + genitive (agency)
τοῦtheGenitivearticle
κυρίουLordGenitivegenitive of agencyκύριος: 'Lord'; the judging agent, here as disciplining Father-figure.
παιδευόμεθαwe are disciplinedPres Mid/Pass Indic 1 Pl · παιδεύωmain verb→ descriptive presentπαιδεύω: 'train, discipline, instruct (a child)' (from παῖς, 'child'); corrective, formative discipline — not penal destruction (cf. Heb 12:5–11).
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ subjunctive)
σὺνwithpreposition + dative (association)
τῷtheDativearticle
κόσμῳworldDativeobject of σύν (association)κόσμος: 'world'; the unbelieving world destined for final condemnation, from which discipline preserves the believer.
κατακριθῶμενwe may be condemnedAor Pass Subj 1 Pl · κατακρίνωsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ constative aoristκατακρίνω: 'condemn, pass sentence against' (κατά-intensive of κρίνω); the final, decisive condemnation — contrasted with present παιδεία.
33

ὥστε, ἀδελφοί μου, συνερχόμενοι εἰς τὸ φαγεῖν ἀλλήλους ἐκδέχεσθε.

So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

Practical conclusionὥστεThe pastoral upshot (ὥστε), warmed by 'my brothers': the direct remedy for vv.20–22 — wait for one another (ἀλλήλους ἐκδέχεσθε), so the meal is genuinely shared rather than a private προλαμβάνειν (v.21).
ὥστεso theninferential conjunction
ἀδελφοίbrothersVocativevocative of addressἀδελφός: 'brother'; the affectionate address softening the correction.
μουmyGenitivegenitive of relationship
συνερχόμενοιcoming togetherPres Mid Ptc · Nom Pl Masc · συνέρχομαιtemporal participle→ present (concurrent)συνέρχομαι: 'assemble'; the keyword of the section, now in the corrective.
εἰςtopreposition + acc. (articular inf.: purpose)
τὸtheAccusativearticle (substantizes inf.)
φαγεῖνeatAor Act Inf · ἐσθίωarticular infinitive (purpose)→ constative aorist
ἀλλήλουςone anotherAccusativereciprocal pronoun (direct object)ἀλλήλων: 'one another'; the reciprocal that answers the selfish ἕκαστος of v.21.
ἐκδέχεσθεwait forPres Mid Impv 2 Pl · ἐκδέχομαιimperative→ customary present (durative command)ἐκδέχομαι: 'wait for, expect, receive' (ἐκ + δέχομαι); 'wait for one another' (some take it 'welcome/share with'), the cure for the divisive rush.
34

εἴ τις πεινᾷ, ἐν οἴκῳ ἐσθιέτω, ἵνα μὴ εἰς κρίμα συνέρχησθε. Τὰ δὲ λοιπὰ ὡς ἂν ἔλθω διατάξομαι.

If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, so that you may not come together for judgment. About the remaining matters I will give directions when I come.

Final instruction + deferralasyndetonThe closing directive: private hunger belongs at home, lest the assembly itself incur 'judgment' (κρίμα, echoing vv.29, 31–32). Paul defers lesser matters to his coming visit (cf. v.20's συνέρχησθε), rounding off the section and the chapter.
εἴifconditional conjunction (first class)
τιςanyoneNominativesubject (indefinite pronoun)
πεινᾷis hungryPres Act Indic 3 Sg · πεινάωmain verb (protasis)→ descriptive presentπεινάω: 'be hungry'; the same verb as v.21 — the hungry are to be fed at home, not to disrupt the assembly.
ἐνat / inpreposition + dative (place)
οἴκῳhomeDativedat. of place (ἐν οἴκῳ = 'at home')οἶκος: 'house, home'; ordinary meals belong at home (cf. οἰκίας, v.22).
ἐσθιέτωlet him eatPres Act Impv 3 Sg · ἐσθίωimperative (apodosis)→ customary present (durative command)
ἵναso thatconjunction (purpose)
μὴnotnegative particle (w/ subjunctive)
εἰςforpreposition + accusative (result/goal)
κρίμαjudgmentAccusativeobject of εἰς (result)κρίμα: 'judgment'; the same word as v.29 — the assembly must not become an occasion of judgment.
συνέρχησθεyou come togetherPres Mid Subj 2 Pl · συνέρχομαιsubjunctive (ἵνα clause)→ customary presentσυνέρχομαι: the final use of the keyword — the gathering itself must not bring condemnation.
ΤὰtheAccusativearticle
δὲand / nowtransitional conjunction
λοιπὰremaining mattersAccusativedirect object (substantival adjective)λοιπός: 'remaining, rest'; τὰ λοιπά = 'the other matters' (further details of the meal), left for his visit.
ὡςwhen / asconjunction (temporal, w/ ἄν + subj.)
ἂν-everparticle (w/ subj., indefinite time)
ἔλθωI comeAor Act Subj 1 Sg · ἔρχομαιsubjunctive (indefinite temporal clause)→ ingressive aoristἔρχομαι: 'come'; Paul's anticipated visit (cf. 4:19; 16:5).
διατάξομαιI will give directionsFut Mid Indic 1 Sg · διατάσσωmain verb→ predictive futureδιατάσσω: 'arrange, set in order, direct' (διά + τάσσω); to give detailed regulations — deferred to his presence.