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.
Context
This verse from 1 Corinthians Chapter 1 connects to 10 cross-references. Paul addresses divisions in Corinth: some claim 'I follow Paul,' others 'I follow Apollos.' Christ is not divided — Paul was not crucified for them. The message of the cross is foolishness to those perishing but to us the power …
Other Translations
For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not in wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made void.
For Christ did not send me to baptize, but--to proclaim good news; not in wisdom of discourse, that the cross of the Christ may not be made of none effect;
For Christ sent me, not to give baptism, but to be a preacher of the good news: not with wise words, for fear that the cross of Christ might be made of no value.
Cross References
(Though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples,)
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain …
Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, …
And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you …
And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit …
That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing …
But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but …
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: