1 Corinthians 1:28

28 and God chose the unnoble things and despisable things of the world, and those things that be not, to destroy those things that be;

1 Corinthians 1:28 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 1:28

And base things of the world
Who are reckoned the filth of the world, and the offscouring of all things; men of mean birth, education, and business of life:

and things that are despised;
and set at nought, as poor persons generally are; yet God

hath chosen
them; even the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of a kingdom:

yea, and things which are not;
some think the Gentiles are here intended, who by the Jews are called "things that are not": as in the apocryphal books:

``O Lord, give not thy sceptre unto "them that be nothing", and let them not laugh at our fall; but turn their device upon themselves, and make him an example, that hath begun this against us.'' (Esther 14:11)

``56 As for the other people, which also come of Adam, thou hast said that "they are nothing", but be like unto spittle: and hast likened the abundance of them unto a drop that falleth from a vessel. 57 And now, O Lord, behold, these heathen, which have ever been "reputed as nothing", have begun to be lords over us, and to devour us.'' (2 Esdras 6)

(See Gill on Romans 4:17) for note on non-entities, or such who are not in being, are meant; but who are not accounted of, or are reckoned as nothing; and these the Lord calls by his grace, as a fruit and evidence of electing love:

to bring to nought things that are;
who, on the account of their noble birth, large possessions, and high attainments in knowledge and learning, thought themselves something; all which will one day be abolished, and will stand them in no stead with regard to future happiness and glory. The Jews ^F17 have a saying quite contrary to all this, that

``the Shekinah, or presence of God, does not dwell on any but upon a wise man, a mighty man, and a rich man.''

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FOOTNOTES:

F17 T. Bab. Sabbat, fol. 92. 1.

1 Corinthians 1:28 In-Context

26 But, brethren, see ye your calling [Forsooth, see ye your calling, brethren]; for not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble.

27 But God chose those things that be fond of the world, to confound wise men; and God chose the feeble things of the world, to confound the strong things; [But God chose those things that be foolish of the world, that he confound wise men; and God chose the sick things, or frail, of the world, that he confound the strong things;]

28 and God chose the unnoble things and despisable things of the world, and those things that be not, to destroy those things that be;

29 that each man have not glory in his sight. [that each flesh, or man, glory not in his sight.]

30 But of him ye be in Christ Jesus, which is made of God to us wisdom, and rightwiseness, and holiness, and again-buying;