Discerning the Lord’s Body: Communion and Healing
By Samuel Waterhouse, author of You Were Healed ·
The short answer
“Discerning the Lord’s body” (1 Corinthians 11:29) means recognising what the bread stands for: Jesus’ body, broken at the whipping post for your healing. Paul says that missing this is why “many are weak and sickly among you” (verse 30).
Paul’s warning
“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.”
Plain English (GIGAKJV): But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he who eats and drinks unworthily, eats and drinks judgment on himself, not discerning the Lord's body. For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
The Greek word for discerning is diakrino (G1252): to see something for what it really is. And just before this, Paul quoted Jesus Himself:
“And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
Plain English (GIGAKJV): And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat. This is my body, which is broken for you. This do in remembrance of me.
The bread is His body, broken for you. When believers eat it as if it were only a cracker, or think only of forgiveness, they miss what His body paid for. Paul names the result: weak, sickly, and dying early.
Why the bread comes first
“And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
Plain English (GIGAKJV): And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat. This is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink of it, all of you. For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Jesus took the bread first, then the cup. That is the order it happened: first the whipping post, where His body was broken and the stripes were laid on Him for your healing (Isaiah 53:5), then the cross, where His blood was shed for the remission of sins. The bread is for the stripes. The cup is for the blood. Both are yours.
But doesn’t “the body” mean the church?
The Corinthians were shaming the poor at the Lord’s table (1 Corinthians 11:20–22), and that was part of the problem. But Paul had just quoted Jesus: “This is my body, which is broken for you.” You can’t discern the church rightly while ignoring the body that was broken for you.
How to take Communion for healing
- Examine yourself (1 Corinthians 11:28). Be honest with God, and forgive anyone you hold anything against (Mark 11:25).
- Take the bread and discern His body. Say: “This is Jesus’ body, broken for me at the whipping post. By His stripes I am healed.” Eat it in faith.
- Take the cup and remember His blood. Say: “This is Jesus’ blood, shed for me at the cross. My sins are forgiven.” Drink it in faith.
- Thank Him for both: healed and forgiven.
You don’t need a church building to do this. Bread and a cup of juice or water at your kitchen table will do. Take it often, and take it knowing what it means.
Say it out loud
“I discern the Lord’s body. By His stripes I am healed. By His blood I am forgiven. I receive both. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Questions people ask
What does “not discerning the Lord’s body” mean?
To eat the Communion bread without recognising what it represents: Jesus’ body, broken for us. 1 Corinthians 11:29–30 links this to many believers being weak and sickly.
Can I take Communion at home?
The first Lord’s Supper was a meal in a house (Matthew 26:17–30), and the early believers broke bread from house to house (Acts 2:46). Many believers take Communion at home with bread and a cup.
Go deeper
You Were Healed
How Scripture says to receive the healing Jesus already purchased. Isaiah 53 word by word, Jesus and the apostles in action, every common objection answered with Scripture, and daily confessions.
Read every verse in plain English, with the King James beside it, free at gigakjv.org.
Church leaders: invite Samuel to teach the Word and pray with people at your church or gathering.
Send an invitationThis article is Bible teaching, not medical advice. Every decision about your health is yours; don’t stop or change any prescribed treatment without talking to your doctor. In an emergency call 000 (Australia), 111 (New Zealand) or 911 (USA). Full disclaimer.