Note 10 at 1 Cor. 11:29: The Greek word that was translated "damnation" here is "krima." This same word was translated "condemnation" in verse 34 and can mean a variety of things. This Greek word was translated "condemnation" five times (Lk. 23:40; 1 Cor. 11:34; 1 Tim. 3:6; Jas. 3:1; Jude 1:4), "condemned" once (Lk. 24:20), "judgment" twelve times (Mt. 7:2; Jn. 9:39; Acts 24:25; Rom. 2:2, 3; 5:16; Gal. 5:10; Heb. 6:2; 1 Pet. 4:17; 2 Pet. 2:3; Rev. 17:1; 20:4), "damnation" seven times (Mt. 23:14; Mk. 12:40; Lk. 20:47; Rom. 3:8; 13:2; 1 Cor. 11:29; 1 Tim. 5:12), "go to law" once (1 Cor. 6:7), and "avenged" once (Rev. 18:20).

If you interpret the "unworthily" of this verse and also verse 27 as referring to an individual who is not born again (see note 7 at v. 27, p.924), then there is no problem believing that this word is used in the sense of eternal damnation in the lake of fire. However, anyone who believes that a born-again Christian can partake of Communion "unworthily" would have to take this word in the sense of condemnation as used in verse 34.

It is much easier to harmonize these passages with the other teachings of Paul on grace if it is taken that he is speaking of a "professor" but not a "possessor" of salvation who takes Communion and is therefore held guilty of the body and blood of Jesus (v. 27).

Note 11 at 1 Cor. 11:29: If the unworthiness that Paul speaks of in verses 27 and 29 is referring to a person not being born again (see notes 7 8 10 at vv. 27 29), then the meaning of "not discerning the Lord's body" is simple. He is saying any person who is not a Christian and yet partakes of Communion is not making a proper judgment of what it takes to be a part of the body of Christ and is therefore guilty for professing a lie (see note 5 at v. 26, p. 924).

However, some have interpreted this verse as speaking of Christians who don't discern the healing that was provided for them through the stripes that Jesus took on His body (Isa. 53:5; Mt. 8:17; 1 Pet. 2:24). The reasoning is that if a Christian doesn't understand or believe that healing is a part of the atonement of Jesus, then he won't walk in health and therefore, many would be weak and sickly or even dead as a result.

This reasoning is certainly accurate, but the context suggests that that interpretation is not correct for this verse. Paul is speaking of a non-Christian who partakes of Communion and is therefore guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (see note 8 at v. 27). These non-Christians who are professing to be a part of the body of Christ are damning themselves which is evident in the fact that many of them are sick and some are even dead. Healing didn't work for them because they didn't accept the covenant.