1 Corinthians 1:15
What does 1 Corinthians 1:15 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 1:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 1:15 means
Paul explains the reason for his thankfulness: to prevent anyone from saying they were baptized into his name. Baptism signifies belonging to Christ; misusing it to promote allegiance to a human teacher corrupts its meaning. Paul is keenly aware of how easily spiritual experiences can be co-opted for status. By stating this purpose, he teaches the church to guard sacred ordinances from being enlisted in personality-driven rivalries. The name that matters in baptism is the Lord’s. Anything that shifts attention from Jesus to the minister undermines the gospel’s intent and inflames the party spirit Paul is laboring to quench.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000lest any man should say that ye were baptized into my name.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901lest any man should say that ye were baptized into my name.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949So that no one may be able to say that you had baptism in my name.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862that no one may say that to my own name I did baptize;
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Lest any should say that you were baptized in my name.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890that no one may say that I have baptised unto my own name.
Context
This verse clarifies the motive behind verse 14. Paul is dismantling any possible link between himself and a factional identity. In the next verse (16), he will note another household he baptized, then conclude that he does not even track such numbers carefully. This sets up verse 17, where he will define his mission as preaching the gospel in a way that does not empty the cross of its power through reliance on rhetorical flourish or human branding, leading into the theology of the cross (verses 18–25).
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- John 7:18
He that speaketh from himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh the glory of him that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him.
- 2 Corinthians 11:2
For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy: for I espoused you to one husband, that I might present you as a pure virgin to Christ.
- John 3:28
Ye yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but, that I am sent before him.
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