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

gests that the church at Corinth was Christ. Why this sect professed to be composed partly of Jews and partly of the followers of Christ, is not certainly Gentiles. See Acts xviii. The Gen- known. It probably arose from one of tile converts, he supposes, would range the two following causes. (1.) Either themselves under Paul and A pollos as that they had been in Judea and had their leaders; and the Jewish under seen the Lord Jesus, and thus regarded Peter and Christ. Paul was the apos- themselves as particularly favoured and tle to the Gentiles, and Peter particu- distinguished; or, (2.) More probably larly the apostle to the Jews (Gal. ii. because they refused to call themselves 7); and this circumstance might give by any inferior leader, and wished to rise to the division. Apollos succeeded regard Christ alone as their head, and Paul in Achaia, and laboured success- possibly prided themselves on the fully there. See Acts xviii. 27,28. These belief that they were more conformed two original parties might be again sub- to him than the other sects. divided. A part of those who adhered 13. Is Christ divided ? Paul, in this to Paul and Apollos might regard Saul verse, proceeds to show the impropriety with chief veneration, as being the found of their divisions and strifes. His er of the church, as the instrument of general argument is, that Christ alone their conversion, as the chief apostle, as ought to be regarded as their head and signally pure in his doctrine and man- leader, and that his claims, arising from ner ; and a part might regard Apollos his crucifixion, and acknowledged by as the instrument of their conversion, their baptism, were so pre-eminent that and as being distingushed for eloquence. they could not be divided, and the It is evident that the main reason why honours due to him should not be renApollos was regarded as the head of a dered to any other. The apostle, faction was on account of his extra- therefore, asks, with strong emphasis, ordinary eloquence, and it is probable whether Christ was to be regarded as that his followers might seek particu- divided ? Whether this single sularly to imitate him in the graces of preme head and leader of the church, popular elocution. 1 And I of Cephas. had become the head of different conPeter. Comp. John i. 42. He was tending factions? The strong absurdregarded particularly as the apostle to ity of supposing that, showed the im. the Jews. Gal. ii. 7. He had his own propriety of their ranging themselves peculiarity of views in teaching, and it under different banners and leaders. is probable that his teaching was not I Was Paul crucified for you? This regarded as entirely harmonious with question implies that the crucifixion of that of Paul. See Gal. ï. 11-17. Christ had an influence in saving them Paul had everywhere among the Gen- which the sufferings of no other one tiles taught that it was not necessary to could have, and that those sufferings observe the ceremonial laws of Moses; were in fact the peculiarity which disand, it is probable, that Peter was re- tinguished the work of Christ, and garded by the Jews as the advocate of rendered it of so much value. The the contrary doctrine. Whether Peter atonement was the grand, crowning had been at Corinth is unknown. If work of the Lord Jesus. It was not, they had heard of his name, and through this that all the Corinthian character; and those who had come Christians had been renewed and par. from Judea had probably reported him doned. That work was so pre-eminent as teaching a doctrine on the subject that it could not have been performed of the observance of Jewish ceremo- by another. And as they had all been nies unlike that of Paul. | And I of saved by that alone; as they were

14 I thank God that I bap- 15 Lest any should say that I tized none of you but Crispus had baptized in mine own name. and Gaius;

16 And I baptized also the 6 Rom.16.23. 3J no.1,&c.

1

a

a Acts 18.8.

alike dependent on his merits for salva- should call themselves by his name;
tion, it was improper that they should and he thus showed the impropriety of
be rent into contending factions, and their adopting the name of any man
ranged under different leaders. If as the leader of a sect.
there is any thing that will recall 14. I thank God, &c. Why Paul
Christians of different names and of did not himself baptize, see in ver. 17.
contending sects from the heat of strife, To him it was now a subject of grateful
it is the recollection of the fact that reflection that he had not done it. He
they have been purchased by the same had not given any occasion for the sus-
blood, and that the same Saviour died picion that he had intended to set him-
to redeem them all. If this fact could self up as a leader of a sect or party.
be kept before their minds, it would put 1 But Crispus. Crispus had been the
an end to angry strife everywhere in chief ruler of the synagogue at Corinth.
the church, and produce universal Acts xviii. 8. 1 And Gaius. Gaius
Christian love. Or were ye bap- resided at Corinth, and at his house
tized in the name of Paul. Or into, Paul resided when he wrote the epistle
or unto the name of Paul. See Note, to the Romans. Rom. xvi. 23. It is
Matt. xxviii. 19. To be baptized into, also possible that the third epistle of
or unto any one is to be devoted to John was directed to this man. See
him, to receive and acknowledge him 3 John 1. And if so, then probably
as a teacher, professing to receive his Diotrephes (3 John 9), who is men-
rules, and to be governed by his autho- tioned as one who loved “to have the
rity.--Locke. Paul here solemnly re- pre-eminence," had been one cause of
minds them that their baptism was an the difficulties at Corinth. The other
argument why they should not range persons at Corinth had been probably
themselves under different leaders. By baptized by Silas and Timothy.
that, they had been solemnly and en- 15. Lest any should say. Lest any
tirely devoted to the service of the only of those who had been baptized should
Saviour. • Did I ever,' was the im- pervert his design, and say that Paul
plied language of Paul, baptize in had baptized them unto himself; or,
my own name ? Did I ever pretend to lest any others should, with any appear-
organize a sect, announcing myself as ance of truth, say that he had sought
a leader ? Have not I always directed to make disciples to himself. The
you to that Saviour into whose name Ethiopic version renders this, 'that ye
and service you have been baptized ?' should not say we were baptized in his
It is remarkable here, that Paul refers name.” Many of the ancient MSS.
to himself, and not to Apollos or Peter. read this, “lest any should say that ye
He does not insinuate that the claims were baptized into my name. Mill.
of Apollos or Peter were to be dispa- 16. And I baptized also the house-
raged, or their talents and influence to hold. The family. Whether there
be undervalued, as a jealous rival were any infants in the family, does
would have done; but he numbers not appear. It is certain that the fa-
himself first, and alone, as having no mily was among the first converts to
claims to be regarded as a religious Christianity in Achaia, and that it had
leader among them, or the founder of evinced great zeal in aiding those who
a sect. Even he, the founder of the were Christians. See chap. xvi. 15.-
church, and their spiritual father, had From the manner in which Paul men-
never desired or intended that they Itions this, it is probable that Stephanas

household of Stephanas ; * be

a

17 For Christ sent me not sides, I know not whether I to baptize, but to preach the baptized any other.

gospel: not with wisdom of a c.16.15,17.

b c.2.1,4,13.

did not reside at Corinth when he was doubtless, recollect that he had baptized baptized, though he might have subse- others in other places, but he is speakquently removed there. I baptized ing here particularly of Corinth. This none of you (ver. 14)—i. e. none of is not to be urged as an argument those who permanently dwelt at Co- against the inspiration of Paul, for rinth, or who were members of the (i.) It was not the design of inspiraoriginal church there, but Crispus and tion to free the memory from defect in Gaius—but I baptized also the family ordinary transactions, or in those things of Stephanas, now of your number.'- which were not to be received for the Or it may mean, 'I baptized none of you instruction of the church ; (2.) The who are adult members of the church, meaning of Paul may simply be, "I but Crispus and Gaius, though I also know not who of the original members baptized the family of Stephanas. If of the church at Corinth may have rethis be the true interpretation, then it moved, or who may have died; I know forms an argument to prove that Paul not who may have removed to Corinth practised household baptism, or the bap- from other places where I have preachtism of the families of those who were ed and baptized, and consequently I themselves believers. Or the expression cannot know whether I may not have may simply indicate a recollection of baptized some others of your present the true circumstances of the case-a number. It is evident, however, that species of correction of the statement if he had baptized any others, the numin ver. 14, "I recollect now also that I ber was small. baptized the family of Stephanas.' 17. For Christ sent me not to bap1 Household, (orxov). The house; the tize. That is, not to baptize as my family. The word comprises the whole main business. Baptism was not his family, including adults, domestics, principal employment, though he had a slaves, and children. It includes, (1.) commission in common with others to The men in a house, (Acts vii. 10. administer the ordinance, and occasion1 Tim. iii. 4, 5. 12 ;) (2.) Domestics, ally did it. The same thing was true (Acts x. 2; xi. 14; xvi. 15.31. 1 Tim. of the Saviour, that he did not personiii

. 4;) (3.) The family in general. ally baptize. John iv. 2. It is proLuke x. 5; xvi. 27. Bretschneider. It bable that the business of baptism was was the custom, doubtless, for the apos intrusted to the ministers of the church tles to baptize the entire household, of inferior talents, or to those who were whatever might be the age, including connected with the churches permadomestics, slaves, and children. The nently, and not to those who were en. head of a family gave up the entire gaged chiefly in travelling from place household to God. 1 Of Stephanas. to place. The reasons of this may Who Stephanas was, is not known. have been, (1.) That which Paul here The Greek commentators say that he suggests, that if the apostles had themwas the jailer of Philippi, who, after selves baptized, it might have given oche had been baptized (Acts xvi. 33), casion to strifes, and the formation of removed with his family to Corinth. parties, as those who had been baptized But of this there is no certain evi- by the apostles might claim some supedence. 9 Besides. Besides these. Il riority over those who were not. (2.) know not, &c. I do not know whe-It is probable that the rite of baptism ther I baptized any others who are now was preceded or followed by a course members of that church. Paul would, of instruction adapted to it, and as the 1 words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

1 or, speech. apostles were travelling from place to means to say, that the success of the place, this could be better intrusted to gospel did not depend on these things; those who were to be with them as that he had not sought them; nor had their ordinary religious teachers. It he exhibited them in his preaching, was an advantage.that those who im- His doctrine and his manner had not parted this instruction should also ad- been such as to appear wise to the minister this ordinance. (3.) It is not Greeks; and he had not depended on improbable, as Doddridge supposes, that eloquence or philosophy for his sucthe administration of this ordinance cess. Longinus (on the Sublime) was intrusted to inferiors, because it enumerates Paul among men distinwas commonly practised by immersion, guished for eloquence; but it is proand was attended with some trouble bable that he was not distinguished for and inconvenience, while the time of the graces of manner (comp. 2 Cor. x. the apostles might be more directly oc- 1. 10), so much as the strength and cupied in their main work. (But to power of his reasoning. preach the gospel. As his main busi- Paul here introduces a new subject of ness; as the leading, grand purpose of discourse, which he pursues through this his ministry. This is the grand object and the two following chapters the of all ministers. t is not to build up effect of philosophy on the gospel, or the a sect or party ; it is not to secure sim- estimate which ought to be formed in ply the baptism of people in this or regard to it. The reasons why he inthat communion; it is to make known troduces this topic, and dwells upon it the glad tidings of salvation, and call at such length, are not perfectly apmen to repentance and to God. I Not parent. They are supposed to have with wisdom of words (our ev copice been the following. (1.) He had incinógcu). Not in wisdom of speech. dentally mentioned his own preaching, Margin. The expression here is a and his having been set apart particuHebraism, or a form of speech com- larly to that; ver.17. (2.) His authority, mon in the Hebrew writings, where a it is probable, had been called in question noun is used to express the meaning by the false teachers at Corinth. (3.) of an adjective, and means not in wise The ground of this, or the reason why words or discourse. The wisdom here they undervalued him, had been promentioned, refers, doubtless, to that bably, that he had not evinced the elowhich was common among the Greeks, quence of inanner and the graces of and which was so highly valued. It oratory on which they so much valued included the following things :-(1.) themselves. (4.) They had depended Their subtle and learned mode of dis- for their success on captivating the putation, or that which was practised Greeks by the charms of graceful rhein their schools of philosophy. (2.) toric and the refinements of subtle arA graceful and winning eloquence; the gumentation. (5.) In every way, therearts by which they sought to commend fore, the deference paid to rhetoric and their sentiments, and to win others to philosophy in the church, had tended their opinions. On this also the Greek to bring the pure gospel into disrepute; rhetoricians greatly valued themselves, to produce faction; and to destroy the and this, probably, the false teachers authority of the apostle. It was necesendeavoured to imitate. (3.) That sary, therefore, thoroughly to examine which is elegant and finished in litera- the subject, and to expose the real inture, in style and composition. On Auence of the philosophy on which this the Greeks greatly valued them they placed so high a value. q Lest selves, as the Jews did on miracles and the cross of Christ. The simple docwonders. Comp. ver. 22. The apostle trine that Christ was crucified to make

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

a

atonement for the sins of men. This truths, borne to the mind by the agency was the peculiarity of the gospel ; and of the Holy Spirit. on this doctrine the gospel depended 18. For the preaching of the cross. for success in the world. I should be Greek, • the word (o 1670s) of the made of none effect. Should be render- cross ;' i. e. the doctrine of the cross ; ed vain and ineffectual. That is, lest the or the doctrine which proclaims salvasuccess which might attend the preach- tion only through the atonement which ing of the gospel should be attributed the Lord Jesus Christ made on the to the graces of eloquence, the charms cross. This cannot mean that the of language, or the force of human ar- statement that Christ died as a martyr gumentation, rather than to its true on a cross, appears to be foolishness to cause, the preaching of Christ crucified; men ; because, if that was all, there or lest the attempt to recommend it by would be nothing that would appear the charms of eloquence should divert contemptible, or that would excite their the attention from the simple doctrines opposition more than in the death of of the cross, and the preaching be really any other martyr. The statement that vain. The preaching of the gospel de- Polycarp, and Ignatius, and Paul, and pends for its success on the simple Cranmer died as martyrs, does not appower of its truths, borne by the Holy pear to men to be foolishness, for it is Spirit to the hearts of men ; and not a statement of an historical truth, and on the power of argumentation, and their death excites the high admiration the charms of eloquence. To have of all men. And if, in the death of adorned the gospel with the charms of Jesus on the cross, there had been Grecian rhetoric, would have obscured nothing more than a mere martyr's its wisdom and efficacy, just as the death, it would have been equally the gilding of a diamond would destroy its object of admiration to all men. But brilliancy. True eloquence, and real the “preaching of the cross” must denote learning and sound sense, are not to more than that; and must mean, (1.) be regarded as valueless; but their use That Christ died as an atoning sacrifice in preaching is to convey the truth for the sins of men, and that it was this with plainness; to fix the mind on the which gave its peculiarity to his suffer pure gospel ; and to leave the convic- ings on the cross. (2.) That men can tion on the heart that this system is the be reconciled to God, pardoned, and power of God. The design of Paul saved only by the merits and influence here cannot be to condemn true elo- of this atoning sacrifice. To them quence and just reasoning, but to re- that perish (tors jusy atronaujienos). To buke the vain parade, and the glitter- those who are about' to perish, or to ing ornaments, and dazzling rhetoric those who have a character fitting which were objects of so much esteem them for destruction ; i. e. to the wickin Greece. A real belief of the gospel, ed. The expression stands in contrast a simple and natural statement of its with those who are “ saved,” i. e. those sublime truths, will admit of, and who have seen the beauty of the cross prompt to, the most manly and noble of Christ, and who have fled to it for kind of eloquence. The highest pow- salvation. 1 Foolishness. Folly. That ers of mind, and the most varied learn- is, it appears to them to be contemptiing, may find ample scope for the illus- ble and foolish, or unworthy of belief. tration and the defence of the sim. To the great mass of the Jews, and to ple doctrines of the gospel of Christ the heathen philosophers, and indeed, But it does not depend for its success to the majority of the men of this on these, but on its pure and heavenly I world, it has ever appeared foolishness,