1 Corinthians 1:14
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
Original Language Analysis
εὐχαριστῶ
I thank
G2168
εὐχαριστῶ
I thank
Strong's:
G2168
Word #:
1 of 12
to be grateful, i.e., (actively) to express gratitude (towards); specially, to say grace at a meal
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
2 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεῷ
God
G2316
θεῷ
God
Strong's:
G2316
Word #:
3 of 12
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
ὅτι
that
G3754
ὅτι
that
Strong's:
G3754
Word #:
4 of 12
demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because
οὐδένα
none
G3762
οὐδένα
none
Strong's:
G3762
Word #:
5 of 12
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
ἐβάπτισα
I baptized
G907
ἐβάπτισα
I baptized
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
7 of 12
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
μὴ
G3361
μὴ
Strong's:
G3361
Word #:
9 of 12
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
Cross References
Acts 18:8And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.Romans 16:23Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.
Historical Context
In a culture that valued patron-client relationships, disciples often boasted about who initiated them into a philosophical school or mystery religion. Some Corinthians apparently boasted, "Paul baptized me," as a status marker. Paul deflates this by thanking God he baptized very few—he will not be anyone's factional mascot.
Questions for Reflection
- How can even sacred ordinances like baptism be misused to promote human ego or factionalism?
- What does Paul's relief at baptizing few people teach us about the relative importance of who performs ministry versus the gospel content?
- How do modern Christians sometimes turn baptism into a status symbol or point of division?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius—Paul expresses relief that he personally baptized only a few Corinthians, precisely to avoid the factional misuse of baptism. Crispus was the synagogue ruler who believed (Acts 18:8), a prominent early convert. Gaius is likely the same man who hosted Paul and the church (Rom 16:23), a man of means. These exceptions are named, implying Paul remembers clearly because they were so few.
Paul's thanksgiving is ironic: normally an apostle would rejoice to baptize many, but given the Corinthian tendency to form personality cults, Paul is glad he limited his baptizing. This does not diminish baptism's importance—Paul simply refuses to let it become a trophy or tool for factionalism. The priority is the gospel (v. 17), not accumulating baptized followers.