1 Corinthians 1:29

KJV

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

KJV (with Strong's)

That {G3704} no {G3361}{G3956} flesh {G4561} should glory {G2744} in his presence {G1799}{G846}.

Complete Jewish Bible

so that no one should boast before God.

Berean Standard Bible

so that no one may boast in His presence.

American Standard Version

that no flesh should glory before God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Corinthians 1:29 serves as a foundational declaration within Paul's argument, emphatically stating God's deliberate design in salvation to utterly preclude any human boasting. This verse encapsulates the divine strategy of choosing the seemingly weak and foolish things of the world to shame the strong and wise, thereby ensuring that all glory, honor, and credit for salvation and spiritual wisdom belong exclusively to God, preventing any "flesh"—humanity in its fallen, self-reliant state—from claiming merit in His holy presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic conclusion to Paul's extended argument in [1 Corinthians 1](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians 1 - Wisdom and Folly") concerning the nature of true wisdom and power. Paul addresses the Corinthian church's divisions and pride, which were rooted in their overvaluation of worldly wisdom, rhetorical skill, and human leaders. From [1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "The Message of the Cross") onwards, he systematically contrasts God's "foolish" method of salvation—the cross—with the world's "wise" approaches. He then highlights God's paradoxical choice of the "foolish," "weak," "base," and "despised" individuals of the world in [1 Corinthians 1:26-28](/1_corinthians/1-26-28 "God Chooses the Weak and Foolish") to confound the wise and mighty. Verse 29 provides the ultimate *purpose* for this divine strategy: to eliminate any grounds for human boasting before God, leading directly into the declaration in [1 Corinthians 1:31](/1_corinthians/1-31 "Boasting in the Lord") that all boasting must be "in the Lord."
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a prominent commercial hub in the Roman Empire, renowned for its wealth, diverse population, and intellectual pursuits, including philosophical schools and sophisticated rhetoric. This cultural environment fostered a high regard for human wisdom, eloquence, and social status. Many members of the Corinthian church, having come from this background, struggled to shed these worldly values, leading to an unhealthy pride in human leaders (e.g., "I am of Paul," "I am of Apollos") and a tendency to evaluate spiritual matters through a worldly lens. Paul's epistle directly confronts this cultural ethos, challenging their assumptions about what constitutes true wisdom and power, and redirecting their focus from human achievements to God's sovereign, grace-filled work.
* **Key Themes:** The central theme underscored by [1 Corinthians 1:29](/1_corinthians/1-29 "1 Corinthians 1:29 - No Boasting") is the **Divine Humiliation of Human Pride**. God's redemptive plan is meticulously designed to dismantle any basis for human self-glory, ensuring that salvation is understood as a work of pure grace, not human merit. This ties into the broader theme of **God's Exclusive Glory**, where the ultimate aim of all His actions, particularly in salvation, is to receive all honor and praise for Himself alone. This principle is deeply rooted in Old Testament passages like [Isaiah 42:8](/isaiah/42-8 "God Will Not Give His Glory to Another"). Furthermore, the verse highlights the **Folly of Worldly Wisdom** when contrasted with God's paradoxical wisdom. What appears weak or foolish to human eyes (like the message of the cross or the humble believers chosen by God) is precisely how God demonstrates His ultimate power and wisdom, as seen throughout [1 Corinthians 1](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians 1 - Wisdom and Folly").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **flesh (Greek, _sárx'_):** In this context (G4561), "flesh" refers to humanity in its natural, unredeemed state, encompassing human nature with its inherent weaknesses, mortality, and especially its propensity for self-reliance, pride, and a wisdom that is opposed to God. It signifies human beings as they are apart from divine grace, characterized by their inability to achieve righteousness or spiritual understanding on their own.
* **glory (Greek, _kaucháomai'_):** This verb (G2744) means "to boast," "to vaunt oneself," or "to take pride." The prohibition against "glorying" emphasizes that no one should ascribe honor or credit to themselves, their achievements, or their wisdom in God's presence, as all true honor and the source of all good belong solely to Him.
* **in his presence (Greek, _enṓpion'_):** The phrase "in his presence" (G1799, combined with G846 for "his") literally means "in the face of Him" or "before Him." It signifies being directly before God's very being, in His sight, or under His judgment. This underscores that human boasting is utterly inappropriate and impossible when confronted with the holiness, sovereignty, and all-sufficiency of God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That no flesh":** The Greek phrase 'hópōs mḗ pâs sárx' (G3704 G3361 G3956 G4561) translates to "in order that not every flesh" or "that no human being." The use of "flesh" (sárx) here is a synecdoche, representing humanity in its entirety, particularly in its fallen, natural state, prone to self-exaltation. The negative particle 'mḗ' (G3361) indicates a decisive, purposeful negation: God's design is specifically to ensure that no human being, relying on their own strength, wisdom, or merit, can boast.
* **"should glory":** The verb 'kaucháomai' (G2744) denotes the act of boasting, vaunting, or taking pride. Coupled with the preceding negation, this clause expresses God's intentional exclusion of human merit. It is not merely a command against boasting, but a statement of the guaranteed outcome of God's redemptive strategy: He has acted in such a way that boasting by humanity is rendered impossible.
* **"in his presence":** The phrase 'enṓpion autoú' (G1799 G846) specifies the context of this prohibition. All human boasting is nullified when brought before the holy, all-knowing, and all-sufficient God. It highlights that God is the sole source of all good, and any claim to self-merit is an affront to His sovereignty and grace. This phrase emphasizes the divine audience and the ultimate accountability of all humanity before their Creator.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs a **Purpose Clause**, introduced by the Greek 'hópōs' (translated as "That"), which clearly states the divine intention behind God's actions described in the preceding verses (specifically, His choice of the "foolish" and "weak"). This highlights that God's paradoxical methods are not arbitrary but serve a precise theological end. **Metonymy** is evident in the use of "flesh" (sarx), where a part (the physical nature) stands for the whole (humanity in its fallen, unredeemed state), emphasizing its inherent weakness and pride apart from God. Furthermore, the entire chapter, culminating in this verse, is built upon a profound **Contrast** between God's wisdom and worldly wisdom, and between God's power and human weakness. This pervasive literary device serves to underscore the central message of God's exclusive glory and the complete exclusion of human boasting.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 1:29 powerfully encapsulates a foundational biblical truth: God's absolute sovereignty in salvation and His unwavering commitment to receive all glory. This verse resonates with the broader biblical narrative where God consistently humbles the proud and exalts the humble, ensuring that His grace is recognized as the sole source of all spiritual blessing and achievement. It establishes that salvation is not a collaborative effort between God and humanity based on human merit, but entirely a divine work from inception to completion. This theological truth liberates believers from the burden of earning God's favor and redirects all praise to the One who truly deserves it.

* [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Salvation by Grace Through Faith")
* [Romans 3:27](/romans/3-27 "Where, then, is boasting?")
* [Jeremiah 9:23-24](/jeremiah/9-23-24 "Let Him Who Boasts Boast in the Lord")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 1:29 serves as a profound and enduring call to humility for every believer. It reminds us that any spiritual gift, ability, or success we experience is a direct result of God's unmerited favor, not our own inherent wisdom, strength, or merit. This truth should cultivate a spirit of deep gratitude and dependence on God, guarding our hearts against the insidious temptation of pride and self-exaltation. In a world that often celebrates human achievement and self-sufficiency, this verse challenges us to reorient our boasting, directing all praise and glory to the Lord alone. It encourages us to embrace our weaknesses, knowing that God delights in demonstrating His power through those who are humble and fully reliant on Him, thereby making His glory unmistakably clear. We are called to live lives that consistently testify that "it is by grace you have been saved," leaving no room for human boasting before God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's deliberate choice of the "foolish" and "weak" challenge our own definitions of success or significance in both spiritual and worldly contexts?**
* **In what specific areas of your life might you be tempted to "glory in your own presence" rather than acknowledging God as the ultimate source of all good?**
* **How can remembering the truth of 1 Corinthians 1:29 foster deeper humility, gratitude, and a greater reliance on God in your daily walk with Christ?**

### FAQ
**Why does God choose the "foolish" and "weak" things of the world?**

Answer: God's primary purpose in choosing what the world deems insignificant, as described in [1 Corinthians 1:27-28](/1_corinthians/1-27-28 "God's Paradoxical Choices"), is to demonstrate His absolute sovereignty and power. By using those who are not naturally impressive, He ensures that no human being can take credit for their salvation or spiritual achievements. This divine strategy guarantees that all glory and praise are directed solely to Him, preventing any "flesh" from boasting [in His presence](/1_corinthians/1-29 "1 Corinthians 1:29 - No Boasting"). It underscores that salvation is entirely a work of divine grace, not human merit or wisdom, thereby upholding God's unique glory.

**What does "flesh" mean in this context?**

Answer: In [1 Corinthians 1:29](/1_corinthians/1-29 "1 Corinthians 1:29 - No Boasting"), "flesh" (Greek: *sarx*) refers to humanity in its natural, unredeemed state. It signifies human nature with its inherent weaknesses, mortality, and especially its propensity for self-reliance, pride, and a wisdom that is opposed to God's. It's not merely the physical body, but the entire human being apart from divine grace, characterized by its inability to achieve righteousness or spiritual understanding on its own. The verse emphasizes that no human being, relying on their own strength or wisdom, can boast before God, because human nature, left to itself, is incapable of producing anything worthy of glory in God's sight.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 1:29 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies God's paradoxical wisdom and power. While the world sought wisdom and signs, God presented the crucified Christ—a "stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles," yet to those who are called, "Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:23-24](/1_corinthians/1-23-24 "Christ Crucified")). Jesus, though God, "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Christ's Humility")), humbling Himself even to death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Christ's Obedience to Death")). His life, death, and resurrection demonstrate that God's way of salvation completely bypasses human boasting. All the "treasures of wisdom and knowledge" are hidden in Him ([Colossians 2:3](/colossians/2-3 "Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge in Christ")), and it is because of God that we are "in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption" ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "Christ Our Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption")). Therefore, as Paul concludes, "let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord" ([1 Corinthians 1:31](/1_corinthians/1-31 "Boasting in the Lord")), for Christ is the sole ground and object of our glory, ensuring that no flesh can glory in God's presence.

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

Romans 3:27

Where [is] boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.

Ephesians 2:9

Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Romans 3:19

¶ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.

Jeremiah 9:23

¶ Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise [man] glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty [man] glory in his might, let not the rich [man] glory in his riches:

Romans 15:17

¶ I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those things which pertain to God.

1 Corinthians 4:7

¶ For who maketh thee to differ [from another]? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive [it], why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received [it]?

1 Corinthians 1:31

That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.