1 Corinthians 1:15 kjv

Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

1 Corinthians 1:15 nkjv

lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name.

1 Corinthians 1:15 niv

so no one can say that you were baptized in my name.

1 Corinthians 1:15 esv

so that no one may say that you were baptized in my name.

1 Corinthians 1:15 nlt

for now no one can say they were baptized in my name.

1 Corinthians 1 verses

1 Corinthians 1 15 Meaning

In 1 Corinthians 1:15, the Apostle Paul articulates a specific reason for his limited role in baptizing believers in Corinth. He states that his restraint was to prevent any misunderstanding or false accusation that he was baptizing people "in his own name." This emphasizes that the essence of Christian baptism is identification with Christ alone, not with any human leader or teacher. Paul sought to ensure that the Corinthians' allegiance and identity were unequivocally placed in Jesus Christ, thereby undermining any nascent factions or cults of personality centered around himself.

1 Corinthians 1 15 Context

First Corinthians addresses a multitude of issues plaguing the early church in Corinth, a vibrant but morally lax and philosophically diverse Greco-Roman city. The very first chapter quickly highlights the most pressing problem: divisions and factions within the community. Paul, having heard reports from Chloe's household, directly confronts the boastful assertions of loyalty to various human leaders—some claiming to be "of Paul," others "of Apollos," "of Cephas," or even, ironically, "of Christ," suggesting a sectarian approach even to Christ.

Verse 15 is nestled within Paul's emphatic rebuke of these divisions. He asks rhetorical questions in verses 13-14: "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, and the household of Stephanas, besides." Verse 15 then clarifies why he gives thanks for having baptized so few personally: to eliminate any possible basis for a follower of "Paul" claiming allegiance to Paul through their baptism, thereby undermining the sole lordship of Christ. Historically, in the ancient world, disciples often bore the name of their revered teachers, and Paul foresightfully prevents this syncretic practice from contaminating the unique nature of Christian faith. His actions were deliberate to prevent the Gospel message from being diminished by human personalities.

1 Corinthians 1 15 Word analysis

• Lest (μή - mē): This negative particle indicates a purpose or result to be avoided. It highlights Paul's specific intent and preventive measure, showing his foresight concerning potential misunderstandings or abuses of his ministry.

• any (τις - tis): An indefinite pronoun, referring to "someone" or "anyone." It suggests the possibility of any individual within the community, perhaps someone seeking to justify their partisan loyalties or misunderstanding the nature of baptism.

• should say (εἴπῃ - eipē): From the verb "to say" (legō), in the aorist subjunctive mood. This expresses a hypothetical, potential future utterance. Paul is envisioning a situation he wishes to prevent from happening.

• that (ὅτι - hoti): A conjunction that introduces the direct statement or content of what might be said.

• I had baptized (ἐβάπτισα - ebaptisa): From the verb "to baptize" (baptizō). The aorist indicative here refers to Paul's past action of baptizing certain individuals. It implies that while he did baptize some, his limited number was intentional.

• in mine own name (εἰς τὸ ἐμὸν ὄνομα - eis to emon onoma): This is a crucial phrase defining the concern.

  • in/into (εἰς - eis): A preposition denoting direction, purpose, or close association. In the context of "baptize into," it signifies being placed under the authority of, identified with, or belonging to.
  • mine own (ἐμὸν - emon): The emphatic possessive adjective, stressing the personal and specific ownership or identity of Paul himself. It contrasts starkly with Christ's name.
  • name (ὄνομα - onoma): In ancient thought, the "name" signifies the essence, authority, reputation, person, and very being of an individual. To be baptized "into someone's name" means to become their follower, their possession, or to identify entirely with them and their authority.

• Words-group: "Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.": This complete phrase powerfully conveys Paul's strategic foresight and humility. His concern was not about diminishing his own importance, but ensuring that the act of baptism (a fundamental initiation into the Christian faith) pointed solely to Christ, not to the minister. It underlines that baptism signifies a profound identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, placing believers under His singular authority and ownership. The potential for the Corinthians to view themselves as adherents of a particular evangelist, identified by whose hand baptized them, was a distortion of the Gospel and a source of detrimental factionalism that Paul firmly sought to preclude.

1 Corinthians 1 15 Bonus section

• Polemics against Contemporary Beliefs/Practices: In the ancient world, it was common for disciples of philosophers or religious leaders to be identified by their master's name (e.g., Platonists, Stoics). Paul is actively refuting this practice from being transferred into the nascent Christian community regarding human evangelists, as it would distort the unique, divine nature of allegiance to Christ.
• The Delegation of Ministry: Paul's willingness to delegate the act of baptism shows that not all aspects of ministry require the personal performance of the leading apostle. The effectiveness of the ordinance comes from God, not from the individual minister. This highlights that various ministries (preaching, baptizing, teaching) can be effectively performed by different gifted individuals within the body of Christ.
• Foundation of Unity: This verse provides a crucial theological foundation for church unity. If the very entry point into the Christian faith (baptism) points solely to Christ, then the divisions based on human personalities are rendered utterly nonsensical and unchristian. All who are baptized into Christ belong to Him alone and are thus united.

1 Corinthians 1 15 Commentary

Paul's declaration in 1 Corinthians 1:15 reflects profound spiritual wisdom and an unwavering commitment to the singularity of Christ's authority in the church. By deliberately limiting his personal involvement in baptizing, he preempted the formation of personality cults around himself. This act underscores that Christian baptism is not about the baptizer, but entirely about the One into whose name the individual is baptized: Jesus Christ. It symbolizes the believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (Rom 6:3-4), marking a transition from allegiance to sin and self to allegiance to Him alone. Paul's approach reinforces that the true foundation and head of the church is Christ, not human leaders, regardless of their apostolic stature. This verse serves as a perpetual reminder for all ministry to deflect glory from themselves and direct it entirely to Christ, maintaining the church's unity in its supreme Lord.