Why did St. Paul criticize abuses during early Christian fellowship meals?

In his first letter to the Corinthians, written around 55 CE, St. Paul criticized abuses occurring during the early Christian fellowship meals, known as the agapē, which were combined with the celebration of the Eucharist.12

These gatherings had devolved into occasions of drunkenness and gluttony. Furthermore, the communal aspect of the meal began to highlight social stratification within the congregation: some members brought ample food, while others of lower social standing had nothing to eat.123

Paul criticized these behaviors because they disregarded the poor and undermined the communal nature of the church. He emphasized that the Lord’s Supper should be a proclamation of the death of Christ and a demonstration of mutual, corporate concern. To rectify these abuses, Paul urged the congregation to be sensitive to one another's needs, suggesting that members eat their meals at home before gathering so that the focus of the assembly could remain on the sacramental significance of the rite.32