How were the Corinthians abusing their church fellowship meals in 1 Corinthians 11?

They abused church fellowship meals by coming to eat gluttonously and drink to the point of drunkenness. Wealthier members also flaunted expensive gourmet food, shaming poorer believers who could not afford it. Paul condemned this conduct, telling them if they could not do it rightly, they should eat at home rather than despise the church.

Les explains that the fellowship meal was like a potluck dinner, not the elements of the Lord’s table. The Corinthians abused it by coming in and being gluttonous at the food, and actually drinking so much that they became drunk. Paul was shocked and upset. In verse 22 he asks, “Have you not houses to eat and to drink in?” If they could not do it right, they should eat at home and not bring that into the church environment. Paul asks whether they despise the Church of God and shame those who have not, especially addressing the wealthier people who flaunted expensive gourmet food while others at slave level could not afford it. He says, “Cut it out. Quit it.” Then he says, “Shall I praise you? I praise you not.” Les says Paul is gently condemning them, because this was not the way it should be done.

What were the Corinthians doing wrong at their church fellowship meals?

At the church fellowship meals, the Corinthians were abusing the potluck by being gluttonous, drinking to the point of drunkenness, and flaunting expensive gourmet food before poorer members. They shamed those who had not and despised the Church of God, so Paul told them to eat at home if they could not do it rightly.