1^st Corinthians 1v14

I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

This verse is the second among the five verses in a row (1^st Corinthians 1v13-17 {79 } {80 } {81 } {82 } {83 }) that all mention baptism in one form or another. This is the highest number of verses in a row to be found anywhere in the scriptures that all refer to baptism. Clearly Paul has some serious things to say in his argument, and is revealing some precious wisdom at the same time.

This verse confirms that Paul had been guided by the Holy Spirit in the case of the church in Corinth to only personally baptise a few believers. Paul had obviously passed on the responsibility for baptism to the new believers in Corinth at the earliest opportunity. Crispus had previously been the chief ruler of the synagogue in Corinth, as mentioned in Acts 18v8. He is mentioned in that chapter as being one of the earliest converts in Corinth, and Paul seems to have baptised one or at most a few converts and then quickly passed on that particular part of the ministry to another – perhaps even the one just baptised, as might make sense in the case of the previous head of the synagogue in that city.

The name “Gaius” is mentioned several times in scripture, but there is not enough evidence to link this reference to any other to find out any more about this Gaius that Paul baptised. It is even possible that he was baptised in some place in the region around Corinth.