1 CORINTHIANS 1:16 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.”
Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I don't remember if I baptized anyone else — the admission of imprecise memory is refreshingly honest and theologically apt: baptism is not the locus of Paul's remembered mission. His memory fails on this point because the method of initiation mattered less than its object (Christ). This sets up the paradox: the Corinthians care intensely about who baptized them; Paul barely remembers.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 1:16
Then, having abashed those who were unsound in this respect and subjoining, “I baptized also the house of Stephanas,” he again drags down their pride, saying besides, “I know not whether I baptized any other.” For by this he signifies that neither did he seek much to enjoy the honor accruing hereby from the multitude, nor did he set about this work for glory's sake.
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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