Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 1:17

What does 1 Corinthians 1:17 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 1:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 1:17 means

Paul states his mission plainly: Christ sent him to preach the gospel, not primarily to baptize, and certainly not to rely on eloquent rhetoric that would obscure the cross. In a culture that prized oratory, he refuses methods that could shift faith from Christ to human skill. The cross must stand as the scandalous center, not be polished into acceptability. Preaching aims to display Christ crucified so that faith rests on God’s power. Paul is not denigrating baptism or thoughtful speech; he is refusing to make them the focus. The message, not the messenger’s technique, is what saves and unites the church.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For Christ sent me, not to give baptism, but to be a preacher of the good news: not with wise words, for fear that the cross of Christ might be made of no value.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but--to proclaim good news; not in wisdom of discourse, that the cross of the Christ may not be made of none effect;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of speech, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

For Christ has not sent me to baptise, but to preach glad tidings; not in wisdom of word, that the cross of the Christ may not be made vain.

Context

Having defused factional claims tied to baptism (verses 14–16), Paul articulates the principle that will govern the rest of the chapter: the cross versus human wisdom. Verse 17 transitions from personal clarification to theological exposition. Immediately, verse 18 will contrast how different audiences perceive the word of the cross, and verses 19–25 will marshal Scripture and argument to show that God overturns worldly wisdom through the crucified Christ. This provides the deep rationale for rejecting divisions built on rhetorical preferences or leader worship.

v.16And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

v.17This passage

v.18For the word of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us who are saved it is the power of God.

Cross references

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

  • 2 Corinthians 10:3

    For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh

  • Acts 26:17

    delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom I send thee,

  • 2 Peter 1:16

    For we did not follow cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.

  • 2 Corinthians 10:10

    For, His letters, they say, are weighty and strong; but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.

  • 2 Corinthians 4:2

    but we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by the manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.

  • 2 Corinthians 11:6

    But though I be rude in speech, yet am I not in knowledge; nay, in every way have we made this manifest unto you in all things.

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