ISB ~ 1 Corinthians 1 v17

to preach the gospel:Paul is not minimizing the importance of Baptism so much as stressing his primary obligation to evangelize (9:16; Rom 1:14-15). His words are aimed at certain Corinthians who exaggerated the role of the minister of Baptism (1 Cor 1:13-15) and lost sight of the Sacrament’s purpose, which is to unite us with Christ (12:13; Gal 3:27).

not with eloquent wisdom:The power of the gospel to move an audience derives from the message itself, not from the messenger who delivers it (1:18; Rom 1:16). Paul’s mission, therefore, is, not to please the ear with the eloquent speaking ability so admired by the Corinthians, but to move the heart by speaking of Christ crucified in clear and simple terms.