1 Corinthians 1:17 Meaning and Explanation
“For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Paul's chief commission was to preach the gospel, plainly, so the power of the cross would not be emptied.
What Does 1 Corinthians 1:17 Mean?
Paul states his true commission. Christ sent him above all to preach the good news, and he was careful not to dress that message in clever rhetoric, the kind Corinth prized, lest the cross lose its power.
Here the letter's great theme appears: the cross of Christ is the heart of the message, and human eloquence must never overshadow it. If the gospel's power depended on polished speech, it would rest on the speaker rather than on Christ crucified. Paul deliberately strips away the ornament so that the saving power belongs entirely to the cross itself, and not to the persuasiveness of any preacher.
1 Corinthians 1:17 in the Original Language
euangelizo (εὐαγγελίζω), 'preach the gospel' -- to announce good news, to bring glad tidings.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 1:17
What does 1 Corinthians 1:17 mean?
Paul's chief commission was to preach the gospel, plainly, so the power of the cross would not be emptied.