Why did the poor people get drunk at the church meal in Corinth?
The poor at Corinth had never tasted wine so good. When wealthier believers brought the best wine and food to the church meal, the poor guzzled it until they became drunk and gluttonous, because they could not afford such things themselves.
Les explains that the Corinthian church gathering included a potluck supper where people brought food according to their means. The poor could come freely but could not afford much. The wealthy brought the best French wine, meat, and vegetables. The poor, having never tasted such good wine, guzzled it and became gluttonous and drunk. According to Paul’s next verse, the people then separated themselves during the supper, with the wealthy refusing to share their good food and wine. Paul was shocked, saying they did not come to church to fill their bellies with food and drink, yet that is what they were doing, and they were abusing the meal.