1 Corinthians 1:17, Not With Wisdom of Words

1 Corinthians 1:17 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.

The Apostle Paul’s focus is to preach the gospel in its simple entirety without garnishing it with any of man’s intellectual wrangling whom man calls “wisdom”. He sees it as a danger because it stands to twist and distort the gospel message. The gospel loses its power to save!

He reminds Timothy there are those who attempt to speak their own words, making the gospel of none effect – 1 Timothy 1:6-7 “From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” 

He understands the gospel mandate. Baptism does not save. He “… is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” (Acts 9:15-16) He is sent to carry the gospel message to the uttermost part of the Roman Empire and his priority is to do so , putting the focus. It is the power to save.

May the Lord bless every effort to preach the gospel for the salvation of souls to the glory of His Name. Amen.