Commentaries:
Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown
Paul says this not to depreciate baptism; for he exalts it most highly (Romans 6:3). He baptized some first converts; and would have baptized more, but that his and the apostles' peculiar work was to preach the Gospel, to found by their autoptic testimony particular churches, and then to superintend the churches in general.
sent me—literally, "as an apostle."
not to baptize—even in Christ's name, much less in my own.
not with wisdom of words—or speech; philosophical reasoning set off with oratorical language and secular learning, which the Corinthians set so undue a value upon (I Corinthians 1:5; I Corinthians 2:1, I Corinthians 2:4) in Apollos, and the want of which in Paul they were dissatisfied with (II Corinthians 10:10).
cross of Christ—the sum and substance of the Gospel (I Corinthians 1:23; I Corinthians 2:2), Christ crucified.
be made of none effect—literally, "be made void" (Romans 4:14); namely, by men thinking more of the human reasonings and eloquence in which the Gospel was set forth, than of the Gospel itself of Christ crucified, the sinner's only remedy, and God's highest exhibition of love.
Other Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown entries containing 1 Corinthians 1:17:
Acts 10:48
1 Corinthians 1:18
1 Corinthians 4:15
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