1 Corinthians 1:17

Not to baptize. Paul was anxious that Christ alone should be exalted, and that men and women should be won to Him; therefore he made it clear that it was not his main business to baptize, but rather to persuade men to surrender to the Saviour. He did not intend to imply that he would not baptize anyone, but he wished it to be known that he was not seeking to glorify himself by a large number of baptisms. His argument, as recorded in vs. 13-17, shows his great desire that the human agent in the work of salvation should be lost to view and the gaze of repentant sinners concentrated on Jesus alone. Paul was aware of the danger that those who were baptized by the apostles might claim superiority over other converts who were not so favored, and thus introduce a party strife into the church. He declared that his work was to make known to all people the glad news of salvation and to call them to repentance and faith in Jesus. This should ever be the grand objective of all ministers of the gospel. Wisdom of words. The Greeks prized highly their subtle and learned methods of disputation and the polished eloquence of their orators. Paul did not seek to emulate their involved, philosophical style of rhetoric. His teaching and manner of speech were not such as called forth the praise of the sophisticated Greeks. They did not regard his preaching as wise. He was anxious that the glory of the cross of Christ should not be obscured by human philosophy and elegant oratory, and thus the glory be given to man instead of to God. The preaching of the cross depends for its success, not upon the power of human reasoning and the charm of polished argumentation, but upon the impact of its simple truth attended by the power of the Holy Spirit. Made of none effect. Literally, “emptied,” that is, emptied of its essential content.