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Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:17

For Christ sent me not to baptize - Bp. Pearce translates thus: For Christ sent me, not so much to baptize as to preach the Gospel: and he supports his version thus - "The writers of the Old and New Testaments do, almost every where (agreeably to the Hebrew idiom) express a preference given to one thing beyond another by an affirmation of that which is preferred, and a negation of that which is contrary to it: and so it must be understood here, for if St. Paul was not sent at all to baptize,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:14

Verse 14 14.I thank my God. In these words he reproves very sharply the perversity of the Corinthians, which made it necessary for him to avoid, in a manner, a thing so sacred and honorable as that of the administration of baptism. Paul, indeed, would have acted with propriety, and in accordance with the nature of his office, though he had baptized ever so many. He rejoices, however, that it had happened otherwise, and acknowledges it as having been so ordered, in the providence of God, that... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:17

Verse 17 17.For Christ sent me not. He anticipates an objection that might, perhaps, be brought against him — that he had not discharged his duty, inasmuch as Christ commands his Apostles to baptize as well as teach. Accordingly he replies, that this was not the principal department of his office, for the duty of teaching had been principally enjoined upon him as that to which he should apply himself. For when Christ says to the Apostles, (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15,) Go, preach and baptize, he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Party spirit at Corinth. This subject is pursued in various forms to 1 Corinthians 4:21 . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Divisions in the Church condemned. The formative idea of the chapter is now brought into full view, viz. "There are contentions among you," and it is prefaced by the statement of a principle, to which St. Paul earnestly directs the attention of the Corinthians, viz. "that they be joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment," or "perfected together," the stress being laid, as before, on their corporate or organic character as a Church. These warring divisions were not matters... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Divisions in the Church. How numerous these have been since Paul wrote! How many of them springing directly from human weakness, folly, or wickedness! How alien to the true spirit of Christianity, and to the prayer of Christ—"That they all may be one"! I. A GREAT EVIL . Cause of: 1. Weakness. Cooperation hindered. Strength expended in opposing each other instead of sin and Satan. Great opportunity offered for Satanic attack. Unity is strength; division is weakness. 2. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

The factions at Corinth. The word translated "divisions" is the original of our word "schism," which means a "rent" as in a garment, and then a division in a society or a separation from it. These internal divisions had begun to show themselves at Corinth, if not in the form of regularly defined parties, at least as forces that were moving in that direction, and which, if not checked, might soon lead to open rupture. On what principles these divisions rested, we are left to gather from the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:14

I thank God that I baptized none of you . St. Paul, in his characteristic manner, "goes off at the word" baptize . He thanked God, not by way of any disparagement to baptism, but because he had thus given no excuse to the undue exaltation of his own name. Compare the practice of our Lord himself, in leaving his disciples to baptize ( John 4:2 ). The apostles would not have approved the system of wholesale baptisms of the heathen which has prevailed in some Romanist missions. Save... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:15

I had baptized . The better reading, followed by the Revised Version, is, Ye were baptized unto my name; א , A, B, C. read more

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