Titus 2:1,
- But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine
This article is an examination of 1Corinthians 1:17.
Together we will learn what Paul means by his statement: - for Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel.
First we need to learn about elliptical construction in grammar.
Elliptical construction in grammar is when a sentence leaves out a word or phrase that is understood from the context, because repeating it would be unnecessary.
Examples of elliptical construction:
"I came not to argue but to teach"
The sentence doesnt necessarily mean:
"I will never argue"
Rather, the contrast is between the purpose for coming: arguing was not the purpose; teaching was.
Biblical examples:
John 6:27,
- Labor not for food, which perisheth but for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life.... KJV
Is Jesus teaching we are not to work for food?
2 Thessalonians 3:10,
- for even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat
Let's read John 6:27 again but this time from the Ferrar Fenton Bible
- Strive not only for this perishable food; but also for that lasting into eternal life...
Remember elliptical construction leaves out words or phrases.
John 6:27 is an example of elliptical construction.
Heres more,
John 12:44,
- Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me KJV
If you believe in Jesus you dont believe in Jesus?
Let's read that again from the NASB
- The one who believes in Me does not believe only in Me but also the one who sent Me
That makes sense when the translators add words.
1Timothy 5:23,
- drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomachs sake and thine infirmities KJV
Is Paul commanding Timothy to no longer drink water?
Let's read it again from other translations,
- no longer drink only water... NKJV
- no longer drink only water.... ESV
- do not go on drinking only water...NASB
- drink no longer only water
- don't continue drinking only water...CSB
- stop drinking only water NIV
1Corinthians 1:17,
- for Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel not with wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect KJV
If Christ sent Paul not to baptize. Then why was Paul going against God and baptizing men?
1Corinthians 1:14-17,
- I thank God I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius
- and I baptized also the household of Stephanas, besides I know not whether I baptized any other
Friends, if you baptized three people in your lifetime.
Would it be hard to remember how many people you baptized?
Would it be hard for you to remember their names?
Paul said, - besides I know not whether I baptized any other
Now, if you baptized a large number of people on your gospel ministry would it be hard to remember all of them ?
A very large number?
Acts 18:8,
- and 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
It was Paul who established the church at Corinth. It was Paul who went baptizing many on his missionary journey.
He baptized the Ephesians, Acts 19:1-12
Paul was doing alot of baptizing for a gospel preacher who was told by God NOT to baptize.
No friends, that is a misunderstanding of what Paul said if your church teaches 1Corinthians 1:17 that way.
- for Christ sent me not to baptize only but to preach the gospel...
Paul is putting priority of what work God has given him to do.
First priority is to preach the gospel.
Everything else is of lesser priority like being the baptizer but Paul never taught baptism was unimportant or not part of his gospel message.
If Paul was not supposed to be baptizing, then he greatly confused the members at Corinth of whom he baptized.
- But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine
This article is an examination of 1Corinthians 1:17.
Together we will learn what Paul means by his statement: - for Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the gospel.
First we need to learn about elliptical construction in grammar.
Elliptical construction in grammar is when a sentence leaves out a word or phrase that is understood from the context, because repeating it would be unnecessary.
Examples of elliptical construction:
"I came not to argue but to teach"
The sentence doesnt necessarily mean:
"I will never argue"
Rather, the contrast is between the purpose for coming: arguing was not the purpose; teaching was.
Biblical examples:
John 6:27,
- Labor not for food, which perisheth but for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life.... KJV
Is Jesus teaching we are not to work for food?
2 Thessalonians 3:10,
- for even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat
Let's read John 6:27 again but this time from the Ferrar Fenton Bible
- Strive not only for this perishable food; but also for that lasting into eternal life...
Remember elliptical construction leaves out words or phrases.
John 6:27 is an example of elliptical construction.
Heres more,
John 12:44,
- Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on Me, believeth not on Me, but on Him that sent Me KJV
If you believe in Jesus you dont believe in Jesus?
Let's read that again from the NASB
- The one who believes in Me does not believe only in Me but also the one who sent Me
That makes sense when the translators add words.
1Timothy 5:23,
- drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomachs sake and thine infirmities KJV
Is Paul commanding Timothy to no longer drink water?
Let's read it again from other translations,
- no longer drink only water... NKJV
- no longer drink only water.... ESV
- do not go on drinking only water...NASB
- drink no longer only water
- don't continue drinking only water...CSB
- stop drinking only water NIV
1Corinthians 1:17,
- for Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel not with wisdom of words lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect KJV
If Christ sent Paul not to baptize. Then why was Paul going against God and baptizing men?
1Corinthians 1:14-17,
- I thank God I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius
- and I baptized also the household of Stephanas, besides I know not whether I baptized any other
Friends, if you baptized three people in your lifetime.
Would it be hard to remember how many people you baptized?
Would it be hard for you to remember their names?
Paul said, - besides I know not whether I baptized any other
Now, if you baptized a large number of people on your gospel ministry would it be hard to remember all of them ?
A very large number?
Acts 18:8,
- and 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
It was Paul who established the church at Corinth. It was Paul who went baptizing many on his missionary journey.
He baptized the Ephesians, Acts 19:1-12
Paul was doing alot of baptizing for a gospel preacher who was told by God NOT to baptize.
No friends, that is a misunderstanding of what Paul said if your church teaches 1Corinthians 1:17 that way.
- for Christ sent me not to baptize only but to preach the gospel...
Paul is putting priority of what work God has given him to do.
First priority is to preach the gospel.
Everything else is of lesser priority like being the baptizer but Paul never taught baptism was unimportant or not part of his gospel message.
If Paul was not supposed to be baptizing, then he greatly confused the members at Corinth of whom he baptized.
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