1 Corinthians 1:15

Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

1:10-16 In the great things of religion be of one mind; and where there is not unity of sentiment, still let there be union of affection. Agreement in the greater things should extinguish divisions about the lesser. There will be perfect union in heaven, and the nearer we approach it on earth, the nearer we come to perfection. Paul and Apollos both were faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, and helpers of their faith and joy; but those disposed to be contentious, broke into parties. So liable are the best things to be corrupted, and the gospel and its institutions made engines of discord and contention. Satan has always endeavoured to stir up strife among Christians, as one of his chief devices against the gospel. The apostle left it to other ministers to baptize, while he preached the gospel, as a more useful work.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Lest any should say - Lest any of those who had been baptized should pervert his design, and say that Paul had baptized them unto himself; or, lest any others should, with any appearance of truth, say that he had sought to make disciples to himself. The Ethiopic version renders this, "that ye should not say we were baptized in his name." Many of the ancient mss. read this, "test any should say that 'ye were baptized' into my name." Mill.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

15. Lest—not that Paul had this reason at the time, but God so arranged it that none might say [Alford].

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Because by that providence of God it so fell out, that very few of them could pretend any such thing, as that he had baptized any in his own name.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Lest any should say that I had baptized in my own name. The Alexandrian copy, and some others, and the Vulgate Latin version, read, "lest anyone should say that ye were baptized in my name"; and the Ethiopic version renders it, "that ye might not say we have been baptized in his name". This gives the true reason why the apostle was so thankful he had baptized no more of the members of this church, lest either some should reproach him, as having done it in his own name, and as seeking his own honour and interest; or lest others should affect, from their being baptized by him, to be called by his name, as if he was the author and patron of a new sect.

Geneva Study Bible

Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

15. in mine own name] Rather, into my own name.

Bengel's Gnomen

1 Corinthians 1:15. Ἵνα μὴ, lest) Paul obviates [guards beforehand against] the calumnies, which might otherwise have arisen, however unjust; and takes them out of the way; 2 Corinthians 8:20.—ἐμὸν, my own) as if I were collecting a company [of followers] for myself.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 15. - I had baptized. The better reading, followed by the Revised Version, is, Ye were baptized unto my name; א, A, B, C. 1 Corinthians 1:15

Vincent's Word Studies

I had baptized (ἐβάπτισα)

The correct reading is ἐβαπτίσθητε ye were baptized. So Rev. Paul's commission contains no mention of baptism. Compare Acts 9:15, with Matthew 28:15. From his peculiar position as the inaugurator of a second epoch of Christianity, many would be tempted to regard him as the real founder of the Church, and to boast of having been baptized into his name. "No outward initiation of converts entered into his ministry" (Edwards).