1 Corinthians 11:17

This. The pronoun refers to what follows, namely, the correct conduct of the sacred ordinance of the Lord’s Supper.

Praise you not. In view of their obstinate attitude and their failure to maintain proper decorum in worship, especially with regard to the manner of observing the Lord’s Supper, Paul could not speak to them words of commendation. The strife in the church indicated the presence there of a group who wished to assert a greater degree of liberty than that which was possible within the area of the provisions God had made for His people. Contending for the preservation of personal opinion, which often has its roots in pride, savors of the spirit of Satan, who caused war in heaven in order to try to prove that he was right and God was wrong (see Isa. 14:12–15; Rev. 12:7–10).

Not for the better. The regular assemblies of the believers are intended to minister to spiritual uplift and to encourage those participating to face the battle of life with greater faith and hope. Far from commending their deportment and their observance of the ordinance of the Lord’s house, the apostle found it necessary to rebuke them. He first stated categorically that their meetings were not productive of good results, but of bad; then he proceeded to elaborate on that statement and show how they had permitted erroneous practices to deprive the communion service of its sacredness and inspiration.