Why did Paul say he baptized only a few people in Corinth?

Paul says he baptized only a few so that no one could claim they were baptized “in my name” (1 Corinthians 1:14–15). He explains that Christ sent him primarily “to preach the gospel,” not to build a following through baptizing (1 Corinthians 1:17).

Passage context

Paul confronts the Corinthians’ habit of lining up behind favorite leaders by pushing a set of sharp questions: Christ is not split up, Paul did not die for them, and they were not baptized into Paul’s name. He then explains why he is glad he personally baptized only a few: it prevents anyone from treating baptism as a badge of loyalty to him. This unit continues Paul’s opening move against divisions in the church (the “I belong to…” slogans just before this). He responds not by analyzing each group, but by redirecting their attention to what should define their shared identity.

Why it matters

Paul treats the Corinthians’ “I belong to…” slogans as a deep mismatch with who Jesus is and what baptism means. His opening questions assume a single, undivided center: one Christ, one decisive crucifixion that matters for them, and one “name” into which baptism points (verses 13, 15).

Read carefully

A careful answer keeps the immediate passage, the book's argument, and the whole-Bible storyline together, so the question is answered in context instead of as a detached idea.

Keep reading

Start with 1 Corinthians 1:14-15, then read the surrounding section so the answer stays connected to the passage's flow.