The custom of sharing meals was a central part of life in the early church. We do not have much information about these meals. We know that they were also called love feasts
(Jude 1:12) and that they were normally eaten at a church member’s house (see Acts 2:46; Acts 20:7–8). From our passage it appears that such a meal consisted of food that church members brought from their own homes, to share with the rest.
Some church members, probably those who worked as day labourers or slaves, arrived at these meals later than the rest (see also 1 Corinthians 11:33). Upon arriving, these church members would find that the food was already finished. They would go hungry while their wealthier brothers and sisters were fully satisfied and even drunk.
21 car, quand on se met à table, chacun commence par prendre son propre repas, et l'un a faim, tandis que l'autre est ivre.