Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
This verse belongs to the instruction in 1 Corinthians 1-3 against the envy, strife, and party spirit that make the church weak and carnal. At Corinth believers were divided in contention, saying they were of Paul and of Apollos and of Cephas and of Christ, a contention reported by the house of Chloe. Some were withdrawing from others for reasons existing only in the imagination and binding up with others.
The meaning is that Christ is not divided, Paul was not crucified for believers, and believers were not to be baptized into Paul's name. Paul therefore refused to give ground for parties and thanked God he had baptized only Crispus and Gaius and the household of Stephanus. Paul and Apollos are only ministers by whom people believed, even as the Lord gave to every man, one in object though their work may differ as one emphasizes another phase of truth or presents the Word in a different way. Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything because God gives the increase.
No minister should be condemned for such a difference, and no minister should fear that his brethren do not regard him. The reason is that Christ sent Paul to preach the gospel, not to baptize, and not with wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect. The verse teaches unity, that all speak the same thing with no divisions but are perfectly joined in the same mind and judgment. Obeying the command to be all of one mind, love as brethren, be pitiful and courteous is the way for God to send His Spirit as Comforter and Strengthener.
Allowing prejudice, envy, jealousy, and evil surmisings separates from brethren and thus from God and hinders the manifestation of the Spirit. Lack of self-denial and self-sacrifice leavens the church with selfishness where some are unduly praised and others demerited, producing spiritual disease. The remedy for contention, faultfinding, and mischief-making is cleansing from unholy leaven in the time of atonement through earnest self-examination and humble earnest prayer, with more of Christ and less of self.
This verse belongs to the instruction in 1 Corinthians 1-3 against the envy, strife, and party spirit that make the church weak and carnal. At Corinth believers were divided in contention, saying they were of Paul and of Apollos and of Cephas and of Christ, a contention reported by the house of Chloe. Some were withdrawing from others for reasons existing only in the imagination and binding up with others.
The meaning is that Christ is not divided, Paul was not crucified for believers, and believers were not to be baptized into Paul's name. Paul therefore refused to give ground for parties and thanked God he had baptized only Crispus and Gaius and the household of Stephanus. Paul and Apollos are only ministers by whom people believed, even as the Lord gave to every man, one in object though their work may differ as one emphasizes another phase of truth or presents the Word in a different way. Neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything because God gives the increase.
No minister should be condemned for such a difference, and no minister should fear that his brethren do not regard him. The reason is that Christ sent Paul to preach the gospel, not to baptize, and not with wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ be made of no effect. The verse teaches unity, that all speak the same thing with no divisions but are perfectly joined in the same mind and judgment. Obeying the command to be all of one mind, love as brethren, be pitiful and courteous is the way for God to send His Spirit as Comforter and Strengthener.
Allowing prejudice, envy, jealousy, and evil surmisings separates from brethren and thus from God and hinders the manifestation of the Spirit. Lack of self-denial and self-sacrifice leavens the church with selfishness where some are unduly praised and others demerited, producing spiritual disease. The remedy for contention, faultfinding, and mischief-making is cleansing from unholy leaven in the time of atonement through earnest self-examination and humble earnest prayer, with more of Christ and less of self.