1 Corinthians 1:17

“For Christ sent me not to baptize, etc.] Some think the apostle refers to his particular mission from Christ, (<442616>Acts 26:16) in which no mention is made of his administering the ordinance of baptism; but no doubt he had the same mission the rest of the apostles had, which was to baptize as well as preach; and indeed, if he had not been sent at all to baptize, it would have been unlawful for him to have administered baptism to any person whatever; but his sense is, that baptism was not the chief and principal business he was sent about; this was to be done mostly by those preachers of the word who travelled with him, or followed after him: he was not sent so much about this work, but to…”

“Paul says this not to depreciate baptism; for he exalts it most highly (Rom 6:3). He baptized some first converts; and would have baptized more, but that his and the apostles' peculiar work was to preach the Gospel, to found by their autoptic testimony particular churches, and then to superintend the churches in general. sent me--literally, "as an apostle." not to baptize--even in Christ's name, much less in my own. not with wisdom of words--or speech; philosophical reasoning set off with oratorical language and secular learning, which the Corinthians set so undue a value upon (Co1 1:5; Co1 2:1, Co1 2:4) in Apollos, and the want of which in Paul they were dissatisfied with (Co2 10:10). cross…”

“For Christ sent me not to baptize - That is, not to baptize as my main business. Baptism was not his principal employment, though be had a commission in common with others to administer the ordinance, and occasionally did it. The same thing was true of the Saviour, that he did not personally baptize, John 4:2. It is probable that the business of baptism was entrusted to the ministers of the church of inferior talents, or to those who were connected with the churches permanently, and not to those who were engaged chiefly in traveling from place to place. The reasons of this may have been: (1) That which Paul here suggests, that if the apostles had themselves baptized, it might have given…”

“For God did not send me to baptize - That was not my chief errand: those of inferior rank and abilities could do it: though all the apostles were sent to baptize also, Mat 28:19 But to preach the gospel - So the apostle slides into his general proposition: but not with wisdom of speech - With the artificial ornaments of discourse, invented by human wisdom. Lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect - The whole effect of St. Paul's preaching was owing to the power of God accompanying the plain declaration of that great truth, "Christ bore our sins upon the cross." But this effect might have been imputed to another cause, had he come with that wisdom of speech which they admired. 1…”

“1:17 The important thing is not baptism, but the preaching of the Good News; baptism signifies people’s response to the message. • clever speech: Eloquence, or an appeal to human wisdom. • for fear that the cross of Christ would lose its power: Too much emphasis on eloquence and the persuasiveness of human reason can distract from the simple message that Christ died for people’s sins so that they could be forgiven (1 Cor 2:1-5; 15:1-3).”

“not to: Joh 4:2; Act 10:48, Act 26:17, Act 26:18 not: Co1 2:1, Co1 2:4, Co1 2:13; Co2 4:2, Co2 10:3, Co2 10:4, Co2 10:10; Pe2 1:16 words: or, speech, Co1 2:5 1 Corinthians 1:18”