1 Corinthians 1:28

KJV

And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, [yea], and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} base things {G36} of the world {G2889}, and {G2532} things which are despised {G1848}, hath {G1586} God {G2316} chosen {G1586}, yea, and {G2532} things which {G3588} are {G5607} not {G3361}, to {G2443} bring to nought {G2673} things that are {G5607}:

Complete Jewish Bible

and God chose what the world looks down on as common or regards as nothing in order to bring to nothing what the world considers important;

Berean Standard Bible

He chose the lowly and despised things of the world, and the things that are not, to nullify the things that are,

American Standard Version

and the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, yea and the things that are not, that he might bring to nought the things that are:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In [1 Corinthians 1:28](/1_corinthians/1-28 "1 Corinthians 1:28 - God Chooses the Weak"), the Apostle Paul powerfully articulates God's counter-cultural method of operation: He deliberately chooses those deemed insignificant, lowly, or even non-existent by worldly standards. This divine selection serves the profound purpose of nullifying the wisdom, power, and prestige that the world esteems, thereby ensuring that all glory and boasting belong to God alone, not to human achievement or status.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Paul's broader argument in [1 Corinthians 1](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians 1 - Divisions and God's Wisdom") concerning the divisions within the Corinthian church and the contrasting nature of human wisdom versus God's wisdom. Paul has just declared that God chose "the foolish things of the world to confound the wise" and "the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty" in [1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Foolish and Weak"). Verse 28 intensifies this declaration, using even stronger language to describe the seemingly unimpressive instruments God employs. It serves as a climactic statement in a passage that systematically dismantles human pride and elevates God's sovereign, paradoxical ways, leading directly into the conclusion that "no flesh should glory in His presence" ([1 Corinthians 1:29](/1_corinthians/1-29 "1 Corinthians 1:29 - No Boasting Before God")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling Roman provincial capital, renowned for its wealth, trade, and diverse population. It was also a hub of philosophical discourse and rhetorical prowess, where status, wisdom, and eloquent speech were highly valued. Greek culture, in particular, placed a premium on intellectual achievement and social standing. In such an environment, the message of a crucified Messiah—a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles ([1 Corinthians 1:23](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23 - Christ Crucified"))—was inherently counter-cultural. Paul's audience, both Jewish and Gentile converts, would have been deeply ingrained with these societal values, making his assertion that God chooses the "base" and "despised" a radical challenge to their worldview and a direct affront to their cultural expectations of power and prestige.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Corinthians 1:28](/1_corinthians/1-28 "1 Corinthians 1:28 - God Chooses the Weak") profoundly contributes to several overarching themes in Paul's letter. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Reversal**, where God deliberately upends human expectations and worldly values. What the world considers worthless, God elevates and uses for His purposes. Secondly, it highlights **God's Sovereign Choice**, emphasizing that salvation and service are not based on human merit, social status, or intellectual prowess, but entirely on God's unmerited grace and deliberate election. This theme is further developed in [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Grace Through Faith") which states that salvation is "by grace... not of works, lest any man should boast." Finally, the verse powerfully reinforces the theme of **Humbling Human Pride**, making it clear that God's ultimate aim in choosing the "things which are not" is "to bring to nought things that are," ensuring that "no flesh should glory in His presence" ([1 Corinthians 1:29](/1_corinthians/1-29 "1 Corinthians 1:29 - No Boasting Before God")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **chosen (Greek, _eklégomai'_):** From G1586, meaning "to select." This word emphasizes God's active, deliberate, and sovereign choice. It is not a passive acceptance but a purposeful selection, highlighting that God initiates and determines who He will use, regardless of their worldly standing.
* **despised (Greek, _exouthenéō'_):** From G1848, meaning "to set at nought, treat with contempt, scorn." This term vividly describes the social rejection and utter disregard faced by those whom God chooses. It paints a picture of individuals considered worthless or insignificant by the dominant culture, yet paradoxically, they are precisely the ones God values and empowers.
* **bring to nought (Greek, _katargéō'_):** From G2673, meaning "to abolish, nullify, render entirely idle or useless." This powerful verb denotes the complete and decisive overthrow of the world's established order, its wisdom, its power, and its pride. God's purpose in choosing the weak is not merely to use them, but to utterly dismantle the very foundations upon which human boasting is built.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And base things of the world":** This refers to those of ignoble birth, without social distinction, or of low social standing. They are the common, the unrefined, those lacking pedigree or worldly advantages.
* **"and things which are despised":** This expands on the previous phrase, encompassing those who are not merely low-born but actively scorned, looked down upon, or treated with contempt by society. They are the outcasts, the marginalized, the rejected.
* **"hath God chosen":** This is the pivotal action. Despite their perceived worthlessness in the world's eyes, God Himself has deliberately selected these individuals. This choice is an act of divine sovereignty, demonstrating that God's criteria for selection are fundamentally different from humanity's.
* **"[yea], and things which are not":** This is a profound and almost hyperbolic statement. "Things which are not" refers to those considered non-existent, utterly insignificant, or having no influence whatsoever in the world's power structures. They are the nobodies, the invisible, those who literally "do not count."
* **"to bring to nought things that are":** This clause reveals God's ultimate purpose. The "things that are" represent the established, the powerful, the esteemed, and the seemingly significant elements of the world. God chooses the "non-existent" to utterly abolish, nullify, and render powerless the "existent" in human estimation, ensuring that no human can boast before Him.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several potent **literary devices** in this verse to underscore his message. The most prominent is **Paradox**, where seemingly contradictory ideas are presented as truth. God, the all-powerful, chooses the weak and the "non-existent" to accomplish His mighty works, directly contradicting human logic and expectation. This is amplified by **Antithesis**, the direct contrast between opposing ideas: "base things" versus "things that are," "despised" versus "esteemed," and "things which are not" versus "things that are." This stark opposition highlights the radical nature of God's methodology. Furthermore, the phrase "things which are not" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, an exaggeration used for emphasis. It powerfully conveys the extreme degree of insignificance that God's chosen instruments possess in the eyes of the world, making God's triumph through them all the more glorious and undeniable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse powerfully articulates a consistent theological principle woven throughout the fabric of Scripture: God's preference for the humble and His delight in using the seemingly insignificant to accomplish His grand purposes. From the calling of Abraham, an old man from Ur, to the selection of David, the youngest and least likely son of Jesse, to the anointing of Mary, a humble virgin, God repeatedly demonstrates that His power is perfected in weakness and that His glory shines brightest when human strength is absent. This ensures that no human can claim credit for divine accomplishments, and all praise is directed solely to the Creator. It is a profound affirmation of God's sovereignty and a humbling reminder of humanity's utter dependence on His grace.

* [Psalm 8:2](/psalms/8-2 "Psalm 8:2 - God's strength from infants")
* [Matthew 11:25](/matthew/11-25 "Matthew 11:25 - Revelation to the humble")
* [Luke 1:52-53](/luke/1-52-53 "Luke 1:52-53 - Mary's Magnificat on God's reversal")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Corinthians 1:28](/1_corinthians/1-28 "1 Corinthians 1:28 - God Chooses the Weak") offers profound encouragement and a vital challenge for every believer. It reminds us that God's criteria for usefulness are radically different from the world's. Our perceived weaknesses, lack of status, or humble beginnings are not impediments to God's work, but often precisely the conditions through which His power is most clearly displayed. This truth liberates us from the pressure to conform to worldly standards of success or to rely on our own abilities. Instead, it calls us to embrace humility, to recognize our dependence on God, and to find our true significance in being chosen by Him. It also compels us to look beyond superficial appearances and worldly distinctions, seeing every individual, especially the marginalized and overlooked, as a potential vessel for God's grace and a testament to His transformative power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge your own understanding of what makes someone "useful" to God?**
* **In what areas of your life do you feel "base," "despised," or "as if you are not"? How might God use those very areas for His glory?**
* **How does the truth that God chooses the weak prevent human boasting and ensure all glory belongs to Him?**

### FAQ
**Why does God choose "base things" and "things which are despised" instead of the powerful and wise?**

Answer: God chooses the seemingly insignificant and despised to demonstrate that His power and wisdom are entirely independent of human strength, intellect, or social standing. As Paul states in [1 Corinthians 1:29](/1_corinthians/1-29 "1 Corinthians 1:29 - No Boasting Before God"), His purpose is "that no flesh should glory in His presence." If God consistently used only the world's elite, humanity might be tempted to attribute success to their inherent abilities or status. By choosing the weak, God ensures that His divine intervention is undeniable, and all glory is directed back to Him alone. This also serves to humble human pride and reveal the true source of all spiritual effectiveness.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Corinthians 1:28](/1_corinthians/1-28 "1 Corinthians 1:28 - God Chooses the Weak") finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself. In the eyes of the world, Jesus was born in a humble stable in a despised region ([John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Can anything good come out of Nazareth?")), lived as a carpenter, and gathered uneducated fishermen as His disciples. He was "despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" ([Isaiah 53:3](/isaiah/53-3 "Isaiah 53:3 - The Suffering Servant")). His death on a cross was the epitome of shame and weakness, a curse under the law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). He emptied Himself, taking "the form of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humiliation")). Yet, it was precisely through this ultimate act of humility and apparent weakness—His crucifixion—that God accomplished the greatest triumph: the defeat of sin, death, and the powers of darkness ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph over Powers")). Jesus, the "thing which is not" in the world's estimation, was chosen by God to "bring to nought things that are," revealing Himself as the true "wisdom of God and the power of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God")). His life, death, and resurrection perfectly embody God's paradoxical method of salvation, forever dismantling human pride and establishing God's glory through the humble and the crucified.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 34:24

He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.

Romans 4:17

¶ (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, [even] God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

Isaiah 2:11

The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men shall be bowed down, and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

Job 34:19

[How much less to him] that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all [are] the work of his hands.

Job 34:20

In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.

Isaiah 2:17

And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.

Isaiah 41:12

Thou shalt seek them, and shalt not find them, [even] them that contended with thee: they that war against thee shall be as nothing, and as a thing of nought.