Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:13

What does 1 Corinthians 1:13 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 1:13 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 1:13 means

Paul asks three cutting questions: Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into Paul’s name? The obvious answers expose the folly of factionalism. Christ is one; His body must not be carved up into parties. Only Christ was crucified for sinners; no leader can redeem. Baptism confesses union with Christ, not attachment to a human patron. By appealing to the cross and baptism, Paul returns them to the core realities of salvation and identity. Factional banners crumble before the singular lordship and saving work of Jesus, who alone deserves their boast and binds them together as one redeemed people.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul?

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized into the name of Paul?

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

Is there a division in Christ? was Paul nailed to the cross for you? or were you given baptism in the name of Paul?

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

Hath the Christ been divided? was Paul crucified for you? or to the name of Paul were ye baptized;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Is Christ divided? Was Paul then crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

Is the Christ divided? has Paul been crucified for you? or have ye been baptised unto the name of Paul?

Context

This verse is the theological heart of Paul’s rebuke of factions named in verse 12. After exposing the silliness of party slogans, he contrasts them with the central facts of the gospel. The following verses (14–16) will show Paul’s relief that he baptized only a few, undercutting any claim that he sought personal followings. Then, in verse 17, he will state his primary commission: to preach the gospel in a way that leaves the cross unadorned by worldly eloquence, preparing for the contrast between human wisdom and the message of the cross (verses 18–25).

v.12Now this I mean, that each one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

v.13This passage

v.14I thank God that I baptized none of you, save Crispus and Gaius;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:4

    For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or if ye receive a different spirit, which ye did not receive, or a different gospel, which ye did not accept, ye do well to bear with him.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:19

    Or know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have from God? and ye are not your own;

  • 1 Corinthians 10:2

    and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;

  • 2 Corinthians 5:14

    For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that one died for all, therefore all died;

  • Acts 2:38

    And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

  • 1 Corinthians 1:15

    lest any man should say that ye were baptized into my name.

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