Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 1:16
Yes, I also baptized the household of Stephanas; beyond that I do not remember if I baptized anyone else.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Corinthian church regarding their factional pride in baptismal affiliation. He writes during a period of division over spiritual leadership to correct their focus on human agents.
The words — ἐβὰπτισα (ebaptisa) means I baptized, and λοιπὸν (loipon) means as to the rest. These terms mark a deliberate limit on the speaker’s ritual activity and his subsequent recollection.
The thread — The Stephanas household appears again in 1 Corinthians 16:15–17 as the first Achaian converts who ministered to the apostles. Household baptism recurs in Acts 16:15 with Lydia, establishing a pattern of familial conversion without elevating the baptizer.
Why it lands — The text states that the apostle performed few baptisms and cannot recall others, directly countering claims that any leader owns the rite. It requires readers to measure spiritual authority by gospel proclamation rather than ritual administration or personal memory.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.
Cross-references
- 1 Corinthians 16:15 You know that Stephanas and his household were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Now I urge you, brothers,
- 1 Corinthians 16:17 I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you.
- Acts 16:15 And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
- Acts 16:33 At that hour of the night, the jailer took them and washed their wounds. And without delay, he and all his household were baptized.