1 Corinthians 1:28

1 Corinthians 1:28 in other versions

• King James Version (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:
• New International Version (NIV)God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,
• English Standard Version (ESV)God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are,
• New King James Version (NKJV)and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are,

Context of 1 Corinthians 1:28

26For consider your calling, brothers and sisters, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; 27but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the insignificant things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, 29so that no human may boast before God. 30But it is due to Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,

1 Corinthians 1:28 word by word

καὶ τὰ ἀγενῆ τοῦ κόσμου καὶ τὰ ἐξουθενημένα ἐξελέξατο ὁ θεός, τὰ μὴ ὄντα, ἵνα τὰ ὄντα καταργήσῃ,Read the interlinear

• insignificantἀγενήςagenēs · lowlyG36
• the worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889
• and the despisedἐξουθενέωexoutheneō · to rejectG1848
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• has chosenἐκλέγωeklegomai · to selectG1586
• the things that are not, soἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• nullifyκαταργέωkatargeō · to abateG2673

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 1:28

• Romans 4:17(as it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed, that is, God, who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that do not exist.
• 2 Corinthians 12:11I have become foolish; you yourselves compelled me. Actually I should have been commended by you, since I was in no respect inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I am a nobody.
• 1 Corinthians 2:6Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away;
• Deuteronomy 28:63And it will come about that, just as the Lord rejoiced over you to be good to you, and make you numerous, so will the Lord rejoice over you to wipe you out and destroy you; and you will be torn away from the land which you are entering to possess.
• Job 34:19Who shows no partiality to the prominent, Nor regards the rich as above the poor, Since they are all the work of His hands?
• Psalms 32:10The sorrows of the wicked are many, But the one who trusts in the Lord, goodness will surround him.
• Psalms 37:35I have seen a wicked, violent person Spreading himself like a luxuriant tree in its native soil.
• Isaiah 2:11The proud look of humanity will be brought low, And the arrogance of people will be humbled; And the Lord alone will be exalted on that day.
• Isaiah 17:13The nations rumble on like the rumbling of many waters, But He will rebuke them, and they will flee far away, And be chased like chaff on the mountains before the wind, Or like whirling dust before a gale.
• Isaiah 37:36Then the angel of the Lord went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when the rest got up early in the morning, behold, all of the 185,000 were dead.
• Isaiah 41:12You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them, Those who war with you will be as nothing and non-existent.
• Daniel 2:34You continued watching until a stone was broken off without hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them.
• Revelation 18:17for in one hour such great wealth has been laid waste!’ And every shipmaster and every passenger and sailor, and all who make their living by the sea, stood at a distance,

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 1:28

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 28And base things - and things which are despised - It is very likely that the apostle refers here to the Gentiles and to the Gentile converts, who were considered base and despicable in the eyes of the Jews, who counted them no better than dogs, and who are repeatedly called the things that are not. By these very people, converted to Christianity, God has brought to nought all the Jewish pretensions; and by means of the Gentiles themselves, he has…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 28And base things of the world - Those things which by the world are esteemed ignoble. Literally, those which are not of noble, or illustrious birth ̀ ̓͂ ta ageiēThings which are despised - Those which the world regards as objects of contempt; compare Mark 9:12; Luke 18:19; Acts 4:11. Yea - The introduction of this word by the translators does nothing to illustrate the sense, but rather enfeebles it. The language here is a striking instance of Paul‘s…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 26-31Verses 26-31 God did not choose philosophers, nor orators, nor statesmen, nor men of wealth, and power, and interest in the world, to publish the gospel of grace and peace. He best judges what men and what measures serve the purposes of his glory. Though not many noble are usually called by Divine grace, there have been some such in every age, who have not been ashamed of the gospel of Christ; and persons of every rank stand in need of pardoning grace…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 27-29God chose humble and overlooked people to show his judgment on human pride (see Romans 3:27; 4:2; 2 Corinthians 4:7–11; 12:8–10; Ephesians 2:9).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2828. yea, and things which are not--Yea is not in the Greek. Also some of the oldest manuscripts omit "and." Thus the clause, "things which are not" (are regarded as naught), is in apposition with "foolish ... weak ... base (that is, lowborn) and despised things." God has chosen all four, though regarded as things that are not, to bring to naught things that are.Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 1:28

• Agency
• Boasting
• Humility
• Minister, Christian
• Power
• Preaching
• Predestination
• Reasoning

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Confirm
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Cross
• Disputer
• Foolishness
• Household
• Join
• Preach

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 1

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Luther’s Commentary on Selected Bible Passages
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings