| Geneva Study Bible {18} I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; (18) He protests that he speaks so much the more boldly of these things, because through God's providence, he is void of all suspicion of gathering disciples to himself, and taking them from others. By which we may understand, that not the scholars only, but the teachers also are here reprehended, who gathered flocks separately and for themselves. People's New Testament 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you. The Corinthians hearing, believed and were baptized (Ac 18:8); but the fellow-ministers of Paul usually administered the baptismal rite. Since some of the Corinthians were claiming to be of his party, he was glad that he had not personally baptized them, lest some of them should say he had baptized in his own name (1Co 1:15). But Crispus. Formerly chief ruler of the synagogue at Corinth (Ac 18:8). And Gaius. He was Paul's host at Corinth when the Epistle to the Romans was written. See Ro 16:23. Wesley's Notes 1:14 I thank God - (A pious phrase for the common one, I rejoice,) that, in the course of his providence, I baptized none of you, but Crispus, once the ruler of the synagogue, and Caius. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 14. I thank God's providence now, who so ordered it that I baptized none of you but Crispus (the former ruler of the synagogue, Ac 18:8) and Gaius (written by the Romans Caius, the host of Paul at Corinth, and of the church, Ro 16:23; a person therefore in good circumstances). Baptizing was the office of the deacons (Ac 10:48) rather than of the apostles, whose office was that of establishing and superintending generally the churches. The deacons had a better opportunity of giving the necessary course of instruction preparatory to baptism. Crispus and Gaius were probably among the first converts, and hence were baptized by Paul himself, who founded the church. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 1:10-16 In the great things of religion be of one mind; and where there is not unity of sentiment, still let there be union of affection. Agreement in the greater things should extinguish divisions about the lesser. There will be perfect union in heaven, and the nearer we approach it on earth, the nearer we come to perfection. Paul and Apollos both were faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, and helpers of their faith and joy; but those disposed to be contentious, broke into parties. So liable are the best things to be corrupted, and the gospel and its institutions made engines of discord and contention. Satan has always endeavoured to stir up strife among Christians, as one of his chief devices against the gospel. The apostle left it to other ministers to baptize, while he preached the gospel, as a more useful work. | 
