1 Corinthians 11:30

1 Corinthians 11:30

For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.

a. NLT: That is why many of you are weak and sick and some have even died.

b. NIV: That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

c. YLT: Because of this, among you many are weak and sickly, and sleep do many;

d. Amplified Bible Classic: That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason many of you are weak and sickly, and quite enough of you have fallen into the sleep of death.

e. Worrell Translation: For this cause, many among you are weak and sick, and not a few sleep.

1. “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you…”

a. For…cause [1223 * dia] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act; through (in very wide applications, local, causal, or occasional):--after, always, among, at, to avoid, because of (that), briefly, by, for (cause) ... fore, from, in, by occasion of, of, by reason of, for sake, that, thereby, therefore, X though, through(-out), to, wherefore, with (-in). In composition it retains the same general importance.]

b. this [5124 touto] [Strong: neuter singular nominative or accusative case of 3778; that thing:--here (-unto), it, partly, self(-same), so, that (intent), the same, there(-fore, -unto), this, thus, where(-fore).]

c. many [4183 * polus] [Strong: including the forms from the alternate pollos; (singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely:--abundant, + altogether, common, + far (passed, spent), (+ be of a) great (age, deal, -ly, while), long, many, much, oft(-en (-times)), plenteous, sore, straitly.]

d. are weak [772 * asthenes] [Strong: from 1 (as a negative particle) and the base of 4599; strengthless (in various applications, literal, figurative and moral):--more feeble, impotent, sick, without strength, weak(-er, -ness, thing).]

e. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

f. sickly [732 *  arrhostos] [Strong: from 1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of 4517; infirm:--sick (folk, -ly).]

g. among [1722 * en] [Strong: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.]

2. “…and many sleep.”

a. and [2532 * kai] [Strong: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

b. many [2425 * hikanos] [Strong: from hiko (hikano or hikneomai, akin to 2240) (to arrive); competent (as if coming in season), i.e. ample (in amount) or fit (in character):--able, + content, enough, good, great, large, long (while), many, meet, much, security, sore, sufficient, worthy.]

c. sleep [2837 * koimao] [Strong: from 2749; to put to sleep, i.e. (passively or reflexively) to slumber; figuratively, to decease:--(be a-, fall a-, fall on) sleep, be dead.]

1). World Outreach Church Daily Devotional 5/10/14 Writing to the believers at the Corinthian church, Paul says, “Many in the church are weak, sickly, and sleeping.” What does Paul mean? Some definitions will help us understand. The word weak indicates being without strength, infirmed, feeble, impotent, diseased, and sick. A sickly person is one whose strength has failed through disease. Paul is talking about physical problems in this Scripture. And when he refers to those who are sleeping, he’s talking about the “sleep” of death. So Paul is actually saying in this verse, “For this reason, many are physically sick and even dying early.” What is the reason Paul refers to? In discussing the Lord’s Supper in verse 29, he says, “For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.” Weymouth’s translation says, “…if he fails to estimate the body right.” Wuest’s translation says, “...if he does not properly evaluate the body.” The Living Bible puts it this way: “...not thinking about the body of Christ and what it means.” Finally, The Modern Language Bible says, “...without due appreciation of the body.” This is the only place in the Bible where Paul says, “For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.” Apparently, it’s important to understand how to rightly discern, evaluate, and appreciate the body.

2). World Outreach Church Daily Devotional 5/12/14 Let’s look at another meaning of the phrase “not discerning the Lord’s body.” In Communion, the cup is the symbol of Jesus’ blood, which was shed for our sins. We’ve preached about the blood of Jesus for years, and most people have a revelation of it. Yet a person who takes Communion without understanding the purpose of the blood may think, I don’t know why Jesus went to the Cross or believe His blood has anything to do with me. What blessings will such a person receive? Someone who doesn’t understand or believe in the blood of Jesus can’t partake of salvation. He is walking in spiritual death because he doesn’t know why Jesus shed His blood. In the same way, the Communion bread is the symbol of Jesus’ body, which was broken for us. But many Christians haven’t been taught the body of Jesus was broken for their physical health. Therefore, they remain sick. A person can partake of the symbol of Jesus’ broken body in Communion for years and still say, “I don’t believe healing is for today.” If people don’t understand, believe, and act on the truth that Jesus’ body was broken for their physical healing, then Jesus’ redemptive work won’t help them. Don’t make that mistake. Believe Jesus’ body was broken for you, and enjoy walking in good health.

3). The Exegetical Imagination On Jewish Thought and Theology, Michael Fishbane, p.179. “…when the individual “judges himself” and corrects his behavior in the light of the Torah and its teachings. Then the weight of sin is lifted and one is blessed with the lightness of dance—which is the pulse of joy, down to one’s heel. Rabbi Nahman found this truth encoded in the biblical verse, “And it shall be if you heed these judgments and observe them carefully” (Deuteronomy 7:12). He interprets it to mean that if one enacts self-judgment (and its corresponding behavioral corrections) one will merit the fullness of joy throughout one’s body.