---
title: 1 Corinthians 10:16
url: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/1-corinthians-10-16/
markdown: https://jw-apologetics.app/verses/1-corinthians-10-16.md
type: verse
perspective: Protestant (historic Nicene) response to Jehovah's Witness teaching
reference: 1 Corinthians 10:16
testament: NT
section: Letters
index: https://jw-apologetics.app/llms.txt
---

# 1 Corinthians 10:16

## Text (Berean Standard Bible)

> Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ?

## JW Usage

The Watchtower restricts Memorial partaking to the 144,000 anointed. 10:16-17 is addressed by limiting "we all partake of the one loaf" to "all of the anointed" — the one loaf represents the body of the anointed remnant, not the total body of believers including the great crowd. 99.88% of JW Memorial attendees worldwide pass the bread without eating. The verse is thus read in a way that excludes its plain force for most Witnesses who sit through the observance as spectators.

## Protestant Usage

Paul's logic is a tight loop: because there is one loaf (unity), we who are many are one body (plurality), because we ALL partake of the one loaf. Partaking is what makes believers one body. If you do not partake, by Paul's own logic you are not part of the body. At the door: "Paul says the reason we are one body is that we ALL share the one loaf. If the Watchtower tells 99.88% of Memorial attendees not to eat, what does Paul's verse say about those who pass? You cannot be 'one body' with the anointed if you are not sharing the one loaf Paul defines the body by." Pair with Matthew 26:27 — Jesus said "drink from it, ALL of you."

## Arguments Using This Verse

- [The Communion Denial](https://jw-apologetics.app/arguments/communion-denial.md) — Matthew 26:27 — 'Drink from It, All of You' [Salvation]