1 Corinthians 11:25

Same manner. That is, with the same solemnity and purpose, and to teach the same great truth. These words also indicate that the Lord gave thanks before inviting the disciples to drink the wine (see Matt. 26:27; Mark 14:23; Luke 22:17).

When he had supped. It is impossible to determine at what point in the Passover ritual the new ordinance was introduced (see on John 13:2). It was to be an entirely new ordinance, not a continuance of the paschal feast, the significance of which came to an end when Christ died.

This cup. By a figure of speech the container stands for its contents. The cup contained the Passover wine “untouched by fermentation” (see on Matt. 26:27).

Testament. Gr. diathēkē, “a covenant,” “an agreement,” “an arrangement.” Here diathēkē refers to the agreement God has made with man, whereby, on account of the reconciliation effected by means of the sacrificial death of Christ, God would give everlasting life to all who believe in Christ (see John 3:16, 36; 5:24; 1 John 5:12). That this arrangement for the salvation of man was in effect before Jesus came to the earth is clearly evident, for Abraham, among others, was saved by faith in the promised Redeemer (Rom. 4:3, 16–22; Heb. 11:39, 40). How then could this be called a new covenant? It was not “new” in point of time, but in point of the time of its ratification by the blood of Christ. For the relationship between the old and the new covenant see on Eze. 16:60.

In my blood. It was customary in OT times to ratify, or seal, agreements made between two parties by the slaying of an animal. In some instances the animal was cut in pieces and the parties to the covenant walked between the divided animal, thus signifying their vow of faithfulness to the terms of the covenant (Gen. 15:9–18; Jer. 34:18, 19). The old covenant between God and Israel was confirmed by the blood of animals (Ex. 24:3–8). The new covenant between God and man, based entirely on God’s promises, was ratified by the blood of Jesus (see Heb. 10:12, 14, 16, 20). The sinner who repents and accepts the divine plan for his redemption thereby enters into the new covenant. And he testifies to his grateful acceptance of this plan by drinking the communion wine, which speaks of the blood of Christ that ratified the covenant.

As oft. The time and frequency for the observance of the Passover had been definitely prescribed by God (Ex. 12:1–20), but not so for the Lord’s Supper. The frequency of its celebration is left to the choice of the believers. It is natural to think that those who love the Lord, and are conscious of their great need of Him at all times, will be glad to partake in the ordinance often.

In remembrance of me. It is essential that the great fact of Calvary, with all its implications, be never absent from the thinking of all who value eternal life. The study of the science of salvation will occupy the attention of the redeemed throughout eternity. True Christians will desire to give much consideration to this exhaustless theme while waiting for their Lord to come again.