Communion is one of the deepest and most sacred practices in Christianity. It is more than eating bread and drinking from the cup. It is a spiritual reminder of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, His love for humanity, and the unity believers are supposed to have among themselves.
Many Christians often search for Bible verses they can read during communion services, family fellowships, church gatherings, or personal devotion. One of the most important passages used during communion is found in 1 Corinthians 11:26 where Paul explains the meaning behind the Lord’s Supper.
However, when we study this scripture deeply together with the Last Supper instituted by Jesus, we discover that communion is not only about remembering Christ’s death. It is also a call for believers to walk in love and avoid hatred, betrayal, division, and destruction against one another.
Before going deeper into the meaning of communion, let us answer the main question directly.
What scripture do you say for communion?
The scripture you can say for communion is 1 Corinthians 11:26.
“For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” — 1 Corinthians 11:26
This verse explains that communion is a continual remembrance of the sacrifice and death of Jesus Christ until His return.
Every time believers partake in communion, they proclaim that Christ died for humanity and that His sacrifice remains the foundation of salvation.
But when we continue reading the entire chapter carefully and connect it back to the Last Supper, we discover that communion also carries a deeper message about love, unity, forgiveness, and how believers should treat one another.
The origin of communion in the Bible
To fully understand communion, we must go back to the moment Jesus first instituted it during the Last Supper.
The Last Supper is recorded in several places in scripture including Matthew 26:26 to 29, Mark 14:22 to 25, and Luke 22:14 to 20.
One of the clearest passages is Matthew 26.
“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.” — Matthew 26:26 to 28
This was the moment Jesus established what believers now call communion or the Eucharist.
The bread represented His body which would be broken.
The cup represented His blood which would be shed for forgiveness of sins.
Communion therefore became a covenant reminder of Christ’s sacrifice.
The shocking reality at the Last Supper
One of the most painful realities during the Last Supper is that Judas who would betray Jesus was present among the disciples.
Even while Jesus was teaching about love, sacrifice, and covenant, betrayal was already sitting at the same table.
Scripture reveals this clearly.
“And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.” — Matthew 26:21
The disciples became troubled and began asking if they were the one.
Then Jesus gave a shocking statement.
“He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.” — Matthew 26:23
As soon as Judas realized that Jesus had exposed what was hidden in his heart, he left in haste.
This moment reveals something very important about communion.
A person can sit physically among believers while carrying hatred, betrayal, bitterness, or evil intentions in the heart.
That is exactly why Paul later warned believers seriously in 1 Corinthians 11.
The deeper meaning of 1 Corinthians 11
Many people stop reading at 1 Corinthians 11:26 and never continue into the warning passages that follow.
But the full context reveals the deeper purpose of communion.
After speaking about the bread and cup, Paul gives a strong warning.
“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 11:27
This verse is often misunderstood.
Paul was not teaching that only perfect people can take communion because no human being is perfect.
Instead, he was addressing the condition of the heart and the way believers were treating one another.
When you study the earlier parts of 1 Corinthians 11, you discover that division, selfishness, lack of love, and disregard for fellow believers had entered the church.
Some were eating selfishly while others were neglected.
Instead of unity, there was division.
Instead of love, there was selfishness.
This is why Paul warned that communion should never be approached carelessly while hatred and wickedness remain in the heart.
Communion is a call to love one another
The deeper revelation behind communion is love.
Jesus gave His body and blood because of love.
Therefore, believers who partake in communion are also expected to walk in love.
A believer cannot genuinely celebrate Christ’s sacrifice while intentionally hurting fellow believers.
This is the same lesson revealed through Judas.
He sat near Jesus physically but betrayal remained in his heart.
Outward participation without inward love becomes hypocrisy.
This is why communion calls believers into self examination.
Why Paul warned believers about self examination
“But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.” — 1 Corinthians 11:28
Paul tells believers to examine themselves before taking communion.
This examination is not merely about outward actions.
It is about the condition of the heart.
Do we carry hatred?
Do we harbor bitterness?
Do we secretly desire harm against others?
Do we create division among believers?
These are the kinds of issues Paul was addressing.
Because communion is supposed to represent unity under Christ.
Love covers a multitude of sins
The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the importance of love among believers especially in difficult times.
One powerful scripture says:
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8
This verse reveals that love must become the foundation of Christian living.
In these last days where offense, betrayal, hatred, division, and wickedness are increasing, believers are commanded to put love above all else.
Love prevents destruction.
Love restrains hatred.
Love protects relationships.
Love seeks peace instead of harm.
This is one of the deepest revelations hidden inside communion.
If you love your neighbor you will not harm them
Another powerful scripture connected to communion and love is Romans 13:10.
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” — Romans 13:10
This verse explains the practical evidence of genuine love.
If a believer truly loves others, they will not intentionally hurt them.
They will not betray them.
They will not destroy them through hatred, envy, bitterness, or wickedness.
This directly connects back to Judas.
Because betrayal is the opposite of love.
Judas sat at the communion table while preparing evil in his heart.
That contradiction is exactly what Paul later warned believers against.
Communion and unity in the body of Christ
Communion also reminds believers that they belong to one spiritual body in Christ.
Just as bread becomes one loaf, believers are expected to walk in unity.
This does not mean Christians will never disagree.
But it means hatred, division, and deliberate destruction should not define relationships among believers.
The early church constantly emphasized fellowship, unity, and caring for one another.
Communion was meant to strengthen those bonds, not expose division.
The danger of hatred among believers
Hatred destroys relationships, churches, families, and spiritual growth.
That is why scripture repeatedly warns against bitterness and unforgiveness.
A person cannot genuinely walk in Christ while constantly nurturing hatred.
This is why communion becomes a moment of reflection.
Believers are reminded to forgive, reconcile, and love one another.
Because Christ Himself demonstrated sacrificial love through His death.
Communion points believers back to Christ’s sacrifice
At the center of communion remains the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
The bread and cup continually remind believers of the cross.
Without His sacrifice there would be no forgiveness, salvation, or reconciliation with God.
This is why 1 Corinthians 11:26 says believers proclaim His death until He returns.
Communion therefore keeps the message of the cross alive in the hearts of believers.
What believers should remember during communion
Remember Christ’s sacrifice
Communion points believers back to the cross and the price Jesus paid.
Walk in love
The deeper revelation behind communion is love and unity among believers.
Examine your heart
Believers are encouraged to remove hatred, bitterness, and division.
Forgive others
Communion reminds Christians to reconcile with others where possible.
Remain united in Christ
The body of Christ is called into unity rather than destruction.
Conclusion
The scripture you can say for communion is 1 Corinthians 11:26 where Paul declares that whenever believers eat the bread and drink the cup, they proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
This scripture connects directly back to the Last Supper in Matthew 26 where Jesus instituted communion with His disciples.
However, deeper study reveals that communion is not only about remembrance of Christ’s sacrifice. It is also about love, unity, forgiveness, and the condition of the believer’s heart.
The presence of Judas during the Last Supper reveals the danger of betrayal and hidden hatred among believers.
That is why Paul later warned believers in 1 Corinthians 11 to examine themselves before partaking in communion.
Scripture further teaches that love covers a multitude of sins and that genuine love does no harm to a neighbor.
Therefore, the true revelation behind communion is that believers must place love above hatred, unity above division, and forgiveness above destruction.
For more Bible verse explanations and spiritual teachings, visit our Bible Verses Explained page where scriptures are explained in simple and practical ways.
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