Note 10 at 1Co 11:29: The Greek word that was translated "damnation" here is "KRIMA." This same word was translated "condemnation" in 1Co 11:34 and can mean a variety of things. KRIMA was translated "condemnation" five times (Lu 23:40, 1Co 11:34, 1Ti 3:6, Jas 3:1, and Jude 4), "condemned" once (Lu 24:20), "judgment" twelve times (Mt 7:2; Joh 9:39; Ac 24:25; Ro 2:2-3, 5:16; Ga 5:10; Heb 6:2; 1Pe 4:17; 2Pe 2:3; Re 17:1, and 20:4), "judgments" once (Ro 11:33), "damnation" seven times (Mt 23:14; Mr 12:40; Lu 20:47; Ro 3:8, 13:2; this verse; and 1Ti 5:12), "go to law" once (1Co 6:7), and "avenged" once (Re 18:20).

If the "unworthily" of this verse and 1Co 11:27 are interpreted as referring to an individual who is not born again (see note 7 at 1Co 11:27), 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 1Co 11:34.

It is much easier to harmonize these passages with Paul's other teachings on grace if it is understood that he was 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 (1Co 11:27).

Note 11 at 1Co 11:29: If the unworthiness that Paul spoke of in 1Co 11:27 and 29 is referring to a person not being born again (see notes 7 and 8 at 1Co 11:27 and note 10 at 1Co 11:29), then the meaning of "not discerning the Lord's body" is simple. He was saying that any person who is not a Christian and 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 1Co 11:26).

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, and 1Pe 2:24). The reasoning is that if they don't understand or believe that healing is a part of the atonement of Jesus, then they won't walk in health. 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 was speaking of non-Christians who partake of communion and are therefore guilty of the body and blood of the Lord (see note 8 at 1Co 11:27). These non-Christians who are professing to be a part of the body of Christ are damning themselves, and this is evident in the fact that many of them are sick and some are even dead. Healing doesn't work for them, because they haven't accepted the covenant.