John Calvin Commentary 1 Corinthians 1:14

"I thank God that I baptized none of you, save Crispus and Gaius;" — 1 Corinthians 1:14 (ASV)

I thank my God. In these words he very sharply reproves the perversity of the Corinthians, which made it necessary for him to avoid, in a way, something as sacred and honorable as the administration of baptism. Paul, indeed, would have acted with propriety and in accordance with the nature of his office, even if he had baptized a great many people.

He rejoices, however, that it had happened differently, and acknowledges it as having been so ordered in the providence of God, so that they might not find an occasion in that to glory in him, or so that he might not bear any resemblance to those ambitious men who endeavored in this way to catch followers.

But what if he had baptized many? There would have been no harm in it. But (as I have said) implied in this is a heavy reproach against the Corinthians and their false apostles, since a servant of the Lord found reason to rejoice that he had refrained from a work, otherwise good and commendable, so that it would not become an occasion of harm to them.