1-Corinthians - 1:15



15 so that no one should say that I had baptized you into my own name.

Verse In-Depth

Explanation and meaning of 1-Corinthians 1:15.

Differing Translations

Compare verses for better understanding.
Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.
that no one may say that I have baptised unto my own name.
that no one may say that to my own name I did baptize;
for fear people should say that you were baptized to be my adherents.
So that no one may be able to say that you had baptism in my name.
lest anyone say that you have been baptized in my name.
so that no one can say that you were baptized into my faith.

*Minor differences ignored. Grouped by changes, with first version listed as example.


Historical Commentaries

Scholarly Analysis and Interpretation.

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.

Lest any should say, etc. - He was careful not to baptize, lest it should be supposed that he wished to make a party for himself; because superficial observers might imagine that he baptized them into his own name - to be his followers, though he baptized them into the name of Christ only.
Instead of εβαπτισα, I have baptized, the Codex Alexandrinus, the Codex Ephraim, and several others, with the Coptic, Sahidic, later Syriac in the margin, Armenian, Vulgate, some copies of the Itala, and several of the fathers, read εβαπτισθητε, ye were baptized. And if we read ἱνα, so that, instead of lest, the sentence will stand thus: So that no one can say that ye were baptized into my name. This appears to be the true reading, and for it Bp. Pearce offers several strong arguments.

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.

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

Lest any should say that I had baptized in my own name - In order to attach them to myself.

*More commentary available at chapter level.


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