1 Corinthians 1:31

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

That {G2443}, according as {G2531} it is written {G1125}, He that glorieth {G2744}, let him glory {G2744} in {G1722} the Lord {G2962}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Therefore — as the Tanakh says — “Let anyone who wants to boast, boast about Adonai.”

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord.”

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Corinthians 1:31 serves as a profound theological summation, asserting that all legitimate boasting and glory must be directed solely toward the Lord. This verse concludes Paul's intricate argument against human pride and worldly wisdom, emphasizing God's counter-cultural method of choosing the weak and foolish to shame the strong and wise, thereby ensuring that all credit and honor for salvation and spiritual understanding belong exclusively to Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is the climactic statement in Paul's initial argument against divisions and pride within the Corinthian church, which he attributes to a reliance on human wisdom rather than divine revelation. Beginning in [1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross"), Paul contrasts the "foolishness" of the cross with the world's perceived wisdom, demonstrating how God deliberately chose what is weak, lowly, and despised by the world ([1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1_corinthians/1-27-29 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Weak")) to nullify human boasting. He then declares in [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom") that believers are "in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." Verse 31 logically follows, providing the ethical and theological imperative that flows from God's sovereign choice and Christ's all-sufficiency.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The city of Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan hub, renowned for its wealth, philosophical schools, and diverse religious practices. Its culture highly valued rhetoric, intellectual prowess, and social status. Within the Corinthian church, these societal values had infiltrated, leading to factions based on allegiance to particular leaders (e.g., Paul, Apollos, Cephas) and a sense of spiritual elitism among some members. Paul's letter directly confronts this cultural influence, challenging the Corinthians to abandon their worldly metrics of success and wisdom. By quoting an Old Testament passage and reorienting their boasting, Paul directly addresses the pervasive pride and self-exaltation that threatened the unity and spiritual health of the community.

* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme in this section of [1 Corinthians](/1_corinthians/1 "1 Corinthians Chapter 1 - Divisions and God's Wisdom") is the profound **contrast between divine wisdom and human wisdom**. Paul consistently argues that God's ways are antithetical to human expectations, particularly evident in the "foolishness" of the cross ([1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "1 Corinthians 1:18 - The Message of the Cross")) and His choice of the weak to shame the strong ([1 Corinthians 1:27](/1_corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27 - God Chooses the Foolish")). This leads to the theme of **humility**, as God deliberately orchestrates circumstances so that "no flesh should glory in his presence" ([1 Corinthians 1:29](/1_corinthians/1-29 "1 Corinthians 1:29 - No Boasting Before God")). The verse also powerfully underscores **God's sovereignty** in salvation and the **all-sufficiency of Christ**, who is presented as the source of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption for believers ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom")). Therefore, all glory must be directed to the Lord, affirming His supreme authority and grace.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **written (Greek, _gráphō'_):** This primary verb means "to grave," especially to write, or figuratively, to describe. Its inclusion here highlights that Paul is quoting from an established, authoritative source, namely the Old Testament. The use of "it is written" elevates the statement to a divine decree, not merely a human opinion.
* **glorieth (Greek, _kaucháomai'_):** This verb means "to boast, to glory, to exult, to take pride in." It can be used in both a positive and negative sense. In this context, Paul uses it positively, indicating the proper object of boasting. It implies a deep sense of confidence, pride, or satisfaction that finds its ultimate and only legitimate source in the Lord.
* **Lord (Greek, _kýrios'_):** Derived from a word signifying supremacy, _kýrios_ denotes one supreme in authority, a controller, or master. In the Septuagint (the Greek Old Testament), it is frequently used to translate the Hebrew divine name YHWH. Here, "the Lord" refers to God, specifically God revealed in Christ, as the ultimate object of all glory and honor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That, according as it is written,"**: This introductory clause serves as a direct quotation marker, signaling that Paul is drawing upon an authoritative Old Testament scripture. The phrase "according as it is written" underscores the divine origin and timeless truth of the principle being stated, rooting New Testament theology in Old Testament revelation. The specific source is [Jeremiah 9:24](/jeremiah/9-24 "Jeremiah 9:24 - Boasting in the Lord").
* **"He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."**: This is the core imperative of the verse. It directly instructs believers on the proper object of their boasting or pride. Instead of finding confidence or self-worth in human achievements, wisdom, status, or any worldly attribute, the believer is commanded to find their ultimate source of glory and satisfaction in the Lord alone. This reorients the entire basis of human identity and value from self-sufficiency to divine dependence.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Corinthians 1:31 is **Quotation**, as Paul directly cites [Jeremiah 9:24](/jeremiah/9-24 "Jeremiah 9:24 - Boasting in the Lord"). This use of scripture lends immense authority and weight to Paul's argument, demonstrating that the principle of boasting in the Lord is not a new concept but a foundational truth woven throughout God's revelation. Furthermore, the verse employs **Contrast**, implicitly contrasting the world's tendency to glory in human achievements, wisdom, or power with the divine mandate to glory solely in the Lord. This contrast highlights the radical difference between God's value system and that of fallen humanity. There is also an element of **Repetition** of the verb "glory" (_kaucháomai_), which serves to emphasize the singular, proper object of such boasting, driving home the point that all honor must be directed Godward.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
First Corinthians 1:31 encapsulates a profound theological truth: the ultimate source of all good, all wisdom, and all salvation is God alone, and therefore, all glory and boasting must be directed back to Him. This principle radically reorients human understanding of merit and achievement, dismantling any basis for self-exaltation or pride. It underscores God's absolute sovereignty in salvation, ensuring that His grace is fully acknowledged and that no human can claim credit for their spiritual standing or accomplishments. This truth is foundational to a humble and God-centered faith, fostering a deep dependence on divine provision rather than human capability.

* [Jeremiah 9:23-24](/jeremiah/9-23-24 "Jeremiah 9:23-24 - Boasting in the Lord")
* [Galatians 6:14](/galatians/6-14 "Galatians 6:14 - Boasting in the Cross")
* [Philippians 3:3](/philippians/3-3 "Philippians 3:3 - Boasting in Christ Jesus")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
First Corinthians 1:31 calls us to a radical reorientation of our lives, shifting our focus from self-exaltation to God-exaltation. In a world that constantly encourages self-promotion, personal branding, and the pursuit of individual glory, this verse serves as a powerful antidote, reminding us that true worth and lasting significance are found not in what we achieve or possess, but in who God is and what He has done for us. It compels us to cultivate a posture of humility and gratitude, recognizing that every good gift, every talent, every success, and indeed, our very salvation, flows from His boundless grace. This principle transforms our perspective on failure and success, urging us to find our identity and confidence solely in Christ, rather than in fluctuating circumstances or human approval. When we genuinely glory in the Lord, our lives become a testimony to His greatness, fostering unity within the body of Christ and drawing others to the one true source of hope and redemption.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life do you most often find yourself tempted to boast in your own abilities, achievements, or possessions?**
* **How does understanding that all glory belongs to the Lord impact your perspective on personal success and failure?**
* **What practical steps can you take this week to intentionally direct praise and honor back to God in your daily interactions and thoughts?**

### FAQ
**Why does Paul quote Jeremiah 9:24 here, and what is its significance?**

Answer: Paul quotes [Jeremiah 9:24](/jeremiah/9-24 "Jeremiah 9:24 - Boasting in the Lord") to underscore the timeless and divinely ordained principle that all boasting must be in the Lord, not in human wisdom, strength, or riches. In Jeremiah's context, the prophet was challenging Israel's misplaced confidence in worldly attributes. Paul uses this ancient wisdom to address the Corinthian church's similar error of valuing human wisdom and status over God's divine wisdom revealed in Christ. The quotation provides biblical authority and continuity, demonstrating that God's desire for humanity's humility and His sole reception of glory is a consistent theme throughout salvation history. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's plan is designed to eliminate human pride and ensure that He alone receives all honor.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
First Corinthians 1:31 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, for He is the very embodiment of the "Lord" in whom we are to glory. Paul has just declared in [1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom") that Christ Jesus "of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." Therefore, to "glory in the Lord" is to glory in Christ, who perfectly reveals God's wisdom and power in a way that shames human pretensions. Our boasting is not in our own wisdom, but in Christ, who is the "power of God and the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ, the Power and Wisdom of God")). Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus stripped away all human merit and established a new basis for glorying: His finished work. As believers, our identity, salvation, and hope are found exclusively in Him, not in our own efforts or achievements. Thus, our glorying in the Lord is a continuous act of acknowledging Christ's supremacy, His redemptive work, and His ongoing reign, echoing the truth that "every knee should bow... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Jesus is Lord")).

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

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:

Jeremiah 9:24

But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I [am] the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these [things] I delight, saith the LORD.

2 Corinthians 10:17

But he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

Philippians 3:3

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.

Psalms 105:3

Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

Isaiah 41:16

Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, [and] shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 45:25

In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.