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.
Paul says this not to depreciate baptism, for he exalts it most highly (Romans 6:3). He baptized some, and would have baptized more, but that his and the apostle's special work was to preach the Gospel-to found, by their autoptic testimony, particular churches, and then to superintended the churches in general. Sent me х apesteilen (G649)] - literally, as an apostle.
Not to baptize - even in Christ's name, much less in my own.
Not with wisdom of words - Greek, word; speech; philosophical reasoning in oratorical language, which the Corinthians so unduly valued in Apollos, and the want of which in Paul they were dissatisfied with (2 Corinthians 10:10).
Cross of Christ - the sum and substance of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 1:23; 1 Corinthians 2:2).
Be made of none effect - namely, by men thinking more of the human eloquence in which the Gospel was set forth than of the Gospel itself, of Christ crucified, the sinner's only remedy.