I. Introduction

The Last Supper described in the Synoptic Gospels was not only Jesus’ farewell meal but also the institution of a sacred rite central to Christian worship. Early Christians developed distinct language to describe this meal, often reflecting theological emphasis. Two major terms—’Eucharist’ and ‘Lord’s Supper’—came to prominence in different contexts. Meanwhile, Jewish Passover traditions, particularly the Seder’s wine prayers, inform the structure and theology of the Christian meal.

II. The Term “Eucharist” in Early Christianity

The term ‘Eucharist’ derives from the Greek word ‘εὐχαριστία’ (thanksgiving). The earliest recorded usage appears in the *Didache* (c. AD 50–120), which includes prayers over the cup and bread and repeatedly calls the meal the ‘Eucharist’ [1]. Ignatius of Antioch (c. AD 110) also uses the term in *Letter to the Smyrnaeans*, stating, *’Take note of those who hold heterodox opinions… they abstain from the Eucharist and from prayer’* [2]. This usage reflects the centrality of thanksgiving and sacrifice in early Christian worship. Justin Martyr, in his *First Apology* (c. AD 150), offers one of the earliest descriptions of the Eucharistic liturgy, including prayers of thanks over the cup and bread [3].

III. Emergence of the Term “Lord’s Supper”

The term ‘Lord’s Supper’ (Greek: κυριακὸν δεῖπνον) is first used in the New Testament, particularly in 1 Corinthians 11:20: *’When you come together, it is not the Lord’s Supper that you eat…’* (ESV). Paul’s usage emphasizes the communal and eschatological dimension of the meal. Over time, however, ‘Lord’s Supper’ became more common in Protestant traditions, especially during the Reformation. Reformers like Zwingli and Calvin used the term to emphasize the commemorative and Christ-centered aspects over sacrificial ones [4].

IV. Wine Prayers in the Early Jewish Seder

The Passover Seder includes four cups of wine, each accompanied by blessings. The central prayer is the *Kiddush*, or blessing over wine: *’Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine’* (*Borei Pri Hagafen*). The second cup includes the *Maggid* section, recounting the Exodus story. By the late Second Temple period, these prayers were likely formalized. The *Mishnah Pesachim* (10:1–7) records the traditional structure of the Seder with wine and thanksgiving prayers [5]. Jesus’ words at the Last Supper echo these blessings, particularly when He speaks of the cup as ‘the new covenant in my blood’ (Luke 22:20), after giving thanks (εὐχαριστήσας, eucharistēsas) over the wine [6].

V. Conclusion

The Christian Eucharist originated in the Jewish context of covenant meals and Passover. The earliest followers of Jesus used ‘Eucharist’ to highlight thanksgiving and sacrifice, while ‘Lord’s Supper’ stressed Christ’s presence and the future feast in God’s kingdom. The wine prayers of the Jewish Seder shaped the structure and meaning of Christian worship. Understanding these linguistic and liturgical developments enriches theological reflection on the covenantal meal shared by Christians across the centuries.

References

[1] *Didache*, chs. 9–10, in J. B. Lightfoot and J. R. Harmer, *The Apostolic Fathers*, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 1989.

[2] Ignatius of Antioch, *Letter to the Smyrnaeans*, c. AD 110, in M. W. Holmes (ed.), *The Apostolic Fathers: Greek Texts and English Translations*, Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2007.

[3] Justin Martyr, *First Apology*, ch. 66–67, in A. Roberts and J. Donaldson (eds.), *Ante-Nicene Fathers*, vol. 1, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson, 1994.

[4] J. Calvin, *Institutes of the Christian Religion*, Book IV, Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1989.

[5] *Mishnah Pesachim* 10:1–7, in H. Danby (trans.), *The Mishnah*, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1933.

[6] The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV), Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2016. (Luke 22:19–20; 1 Cor. 11:23–26).

Note: This is an academic paper I asked AI to generate. It is not original with me.  It, however, did a good job of researching and writing on the topic I asked it to.