Bible Dictionary
UNWORTHLY
“Unworthily” describes an improper or irreverent manner of participating in the Lord’s Supper. In 1 Corinthians 11, Paul warns believers to examine themselves and recognize the significance of the body and blood represented in the meal.
Definition
“Unworthily” means in an improper or irreverent manner. In the supplied textual discussion, the word is treated as a translation used in connection with participation in the Lord’s Supper.
Biblical Usage
The King James Version uses “unworthily” in 1 Corinthians 11:27 and 29. The American Standard Revised Version renders the first passage “in an unworthy manner,” while the Revised Version omits the word in verse 29 as a needless gloss.
Historical Background
The translation difference concerns the Greek text and the interpretation of the adverb. The supplied material emphasizes that the word in verse 29 has convincing textual evidence against it.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>un-wur'-thi-li: 1Co 11:27,29 the King James Version for anaxios. In 11:29, the Revised Version (British and American), on convincing textual evidence, has omitted the word, which is a needless gloss (compare the Revised Version's translation of the whole verse). In 11:27 the American Standard Revised Version has changed "unworthily" to "in an unworthy manner," a rather pointless alteration.</p>