1 Corinthians 1:17 (GNV)

Passage

For CHRIST sent me not to baptize, but to preache the Gospel, not with wisdome of wordes, lest the crosse of Christ should be made of none effect.

Nearby Context

1 Corinthians 1:15 Lest any should say, that I had baptized into mine owne name.

1 Corinthians 1:16 I baptized also the houshold of Stephanas: furthermore knowe I not, whether I baptized any other.

1 Corinthians 1:17 For CHRIST sent me not to baptize, but to preache the Gospel, not with wisdome of wordes, lest the crosse of Christ should be made of none effect.

1 Corinthians 1:18 For that preaching of the crosse is to them that perish, foolishnesse: but vnto vs, which are saued, it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:19 For it is written, I will destroy the wisedome of the wise, and will cast away the vnderstanding of the prudent.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "christ", "sent", "baptize", "preache", "gospel", "wisdome", "wordes", and "lest". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "christ" and "sent", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 16's "I baptized also the houshold of Stephanas..." into verse 18's "For that preaching of the crosse is...", so "christ" and "sent" belong inside that flow. In 1 Corinthians context, the local focus is Christ, faith, and discipleship.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "christ" and "sent" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.