1 Corinthians 1:10-17 (WEL) Now, I beg of you brethren through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you agree in what you say, and that there would be no divisions among you, instead that you be completely mended in the same understanding and opinion. 11 It has been plainly told to me about you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s family, that there are serious arguments among you. 12 This is what I mean, that every one of you are saying, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” 13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? 14 I thank God that I didn’t baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 Lest any should say that you were baptized in my name. 16 Also, I baptized the household of Stephanus. Besides [these] I don’t know if I baptized anybody else, 17 For Christ didn’t send me to baptize but to preach the Good News, not with the eloquent wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ be ineffectual.
V10 Now, I beg of you brethren through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you agree in what you say, and that there would be no divisions among you, instead that you be completely mended in the same understanding and opinion.
The Greek word for mended is G2645 καταρτίζω katartízō, which means to repair, mend, (Word Study Dictionary) “to put a thing in its appropriate condition, to establish, set up, equip, arrange, prepare, mend.” The assembly had fractured into groups according to some leader as Paul, Apollos, or even Jesus Christ. Paul wanted them to repair and restore their fellowship instead of having cliques. This Greek word is used in Mark 1:19 for repairing/mending fishing nets.
The authority for this is the Lord Jesus Himself. There should be an agreement between them.
We separate for 1) a wrong Gospel (Galatians 1:6-10), 2) wrong lifestyle (1 Corinthians 5:1-7), 3) false doctrine (2 Timothy 2:15-18 and 1 Timothy 6:3), 4) laziness, refuse to work, live off others (2 Thessalonians 3:6), 5) rejects the clear, plain, normal sense of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:14), and 6) ungodly belief systems, lifestyles, worldview, governmental theories, etc. (Revelation 18:4).
V11 It has been plainly told to me about you, my brethren, by those of Chloe’s family, that there are serious arguments among you.
The Corinthian problem. Paul states the problem plainly. There is a time to recognize and deal with church problems. Reporting this to Paul is not gossip; it is a serious issue in the church that needs correction. It seems today that most pastors to keep the peace just water down everything, which makes everything meaningless.
V12 This is what I mean, that every one of you are saying, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.”
Paul gets specific. Some of the believers are followers of Apollos, some Paul, some Cephas (Peter), and some Christ.
V13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?
Paul’s argument is the the body of Christ (believers) is not split up into little segments. It is one body—the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 12:12, with Leviticus 4:20 and Leviticus 16:14).
The Savior is Jesus and no one else. He is the one to whom we identify.
No one is baptized in the name of Paul.
Only Jesus is the Son of God, Messiah, High Priest, etc.
V14 I thank God that I didn’t baptize any of you except Crispus and Gaius,
Paul lists a few of those whom he baptized.
V15 Lest any should say that you were baptized in my name.
One reason he did not baptize was the fear that people would identify with him instead of Jesus. Paul is the messenger servant of Jesus.
V16 Also, I baptized the household of Stephanus. Besides [these] I don’t know if I baptized anybody else,
His motive in not baptizing is explained in verse 17.
V17 For Christ didn’t send me to baptize but to preach the Good News, not with the eloquent wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ be ineffectual.
The principle is that Paul and all of us are servants of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the only one who is the Chief Cornerstone of the Christian faith.
Paul was determined to be a good servant of Jesus Christ. Evidently, his commissioning did not include baptizing new believers.
Jesus gave the commission in general (Matthew 28:19-20), but sometimes specific commissions might be different. It does not dismiss baptism.
Baptism is not needed to be saved from God’s wrath.
We learn:
- Following any teacher more than Jesus is wrong.
- Baptism is not necessary for salvation.
Questions::
- Who are you following?
- Is it Calvin, MacArthur, Arminius, Wesley, or any other except Jesus Christ?