1 Corinthians 1:29

That no flesh should glory in his presence.

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

so that no one should boast before God.

so that no one may boast in His presence.

that no flesh should glory before God.

Commentary

1 Corinthians 1:29 (KJV) stands as a powerful declaration of God's sovereignty and a profound challenge to human pride. It concludes Paul's exposition on God's chosen method of salvation, ensuring that all glory and boasting belong solely to Him.

Context of 1 Corinthians 1:29

This verse is the culmination of Paul's argument in 1 Corinthians chapter 1, where he addresses the divisions and boasting within the Corinthian church. The Corinthians, influenced by worldly wisdom and status, were taking pride in human leaders or their own perceived intellectual superiority. Paul counters this by highlighting God's paradoxical method: He deliberately chooses the world's "foolish," "weak," "base," and "despised" things to shame the wise and mighty. This divine strategy ensures that human beings have no grounds for boasting in their own achievements, wisdom, or strength before God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Humiliation of Human Pride: God's design in salvation intentionally demolishes any basis for human self-glory. By using what the world considers insignificant, God exposes the emptiness of human wisdom and power when compared to His own. This principle serves to humble all of humanity.
  • God's Exclusive Glory: The ultimate purpose of God's unconventional choices is to ensure that all honor, praise, and boasting are directed toward Him alone. Salvation is entirely His work, from beginning to end, leaving no room for human merit or accomplishment to be paraded.
  • The Folly of Worldly Wisdom: The verse underscores that what appears wise or strong in the eyes of the world is often foolishness to God, and vice-versa. God's wisdom operates on a different plane, guaranteeing that His plan triumphs over all human schemes and pride.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Flesh" (Greek: sarx): In this context, "flesh" refers to humanity in its fallen state, representing human nature with its inherent weaknesses, mortality, and propensity for self-reliance and pride, apart from God. It signifies human beings in their natural, unredeemed condition.
  • "Glory" (Greek: kauchaomai): This verb means "to boast," "to vaunt oneself," or "to take pride." The verse's prohibition against "glorying" emphasizes that no one should ascribe honor or credit to themselves in God's presence, as all true honor belongs to Him.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Corinthians 1:29 serves as a constant reminder of humility and dependence on God. It teaches us:

  • To Embrace Humility: Recognize that any spiritual gift, ability, or success we possess comes from God. This perspective helps us avoid pride and self-exaltation.
  • To Boast in the Lord Alone: Our confidence and praise should be directed towards God for His grace and power, not our own accomplishments. This aligns with Paul's later exhortation in 1 Corinthians 1:31, "He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."
  • To Trust God's Methods: God often works through unexpected means and ordinary people to achieve extraordinary results, demonstrating His power more clearly. This should encourage those who feel inadequate, knowing that God delights in using the weak for His glory.
  • To Appreciate Grace: This verse reinforces that salvation is purely by God's grace, not by human effort or merit, echoing the truth found in Ephesians 2:9, "Not of works, lest any man should boast."
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Romans 3:27 (6 votes)

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

  • Ephesians 2:9 (5 votes)

    Not of works, lest any man should boast.

  • Romans 3:19 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

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

  • 1 Corinthians 4:7 (4 votes)

    ¶ 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 (4 votes)

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