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Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 1:17 - King James

Verse         Translation Text
1Co 1:17 King James For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
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 of Christ--the sum and substance of the Gospel (Co1 1:23; Co1 2:2), Christ crucified.

be made of none effect--literally, "be made void" (Rom 4:14); namely, by men thinking more of the human reasonings and eloquence in which the Gospel was set forth, than of the Gospel itself of Christ crucified, the sinner's only remedy, and God's highest exhibition of love.
 
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14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
2 For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.
23 But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.
5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
22 For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:
2 (Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible.
1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold toward you:
5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.