1 Corinthians 1:28

Context

First Corinthians, written by the Apostle Paul, addresses various issues within the church at Corinth, a prominent Roman city known for its wealth, philosophy, and moral laxity. In the opening chapters, Paul tackles the problem of divisions and pride among believers, particularly concerning their allegiance to different leaders and their reliance on human wisdom. Verses 18-31 of Chapter 1 form a powerful argument contrasting God's divine wisdom, embodied in the seemingly "foolish" message of the cross, with the world's wisdom. This verse, 1 Corinthians 1:28, continues the thought from 1 Corinthians 1:27, further elaborating on the kind of people God chooses for His purposes.

Key Themes

• Divine Reversal: This verse highlights God's pattern of turning worldly values upside down. What the world considers "base" or "despised" is precisely what God selects to achieve His grand designs. This divine paradox showcases God's power over human expectations.
• God's Sovereign Choice: It emphasizes that God's choices are not based on human merit, status, or wisdom, but on His own sovereign will. He actively chooses the humble and the lowly, demonstrating that His power is perfected in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).
• Humbling Human Pride: The ultimate purpose of God choosing the "things which are not" is "to bring to nought things that are." This ensures that no human can boast before God (1 Corinthians 1:29). All glory and credit belong to Him alone.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV's translation captures the profound contrast intended by Paul:

• "Base things" (Greek: agenē, ἀγενῆ): Refers to those of ignoble birth, without family distinction, or low social standing.
• "Things which are despised" (Greek: exouthenēmena, ἐξουθενημένα): Signifies those treated with contempt, scorned, or regarded as utterly worthless by society.
• "Things which are not" (Greek: ta mē onta, τὰ μὴ ὄντα): This powerful phrase literally means "the non-existent ones," indicating those who are considered insignificant, irrelevant, or having no influence in the world's eyes.
• "To bring to nought" (Greek: katargēsē, καταργήσῃ): Means to abolish, nullify, render ineffective, or make powerless. This applies to "things that are" (ta onta, τὰ ὄντα), referring to the established, powerful, and esteemed elements of the world.

Practical Application

This verse offers immense encouragement and a challenge for believers today:

• Embrace Humility: It calls us to reject pride in our own achievements or worldly status and instead embrace humility, recognizing that God often uses the least likely instruments for His greatest work.
• Value All People: It reminds us to look beyond superficial worldly distinctions and to see all people, especially the marginalized and overlooked, as potential instruments of God's grace.
• Trust God's Methods: When facing challenges or feeling inadequate, we are reminded that God's power is not limited by our perceived weaknesses. He delights in using the weak to confound the strong, ensuring that His glory shines through. This concept is also echoed in Jesus' prayer, thanking the Father for revealing truths to "babes" rather than the "wise and prudent" (Matthew 11:25).