1 Corinthians 1:28 KJV

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Salvation all of God. The apostle has shown, in the previous section, flint the cross of Christ, which men count foolish and weak, is really the wisdom and the power of God. In proof of this he now calls their attention to the social status of the converts at Corinth. For the most part they were of no account in the world's esteem; but, though nobodies according to the flesh, they were raised to true dignity in Christ. I. THE CHRISTIAN CALLING DOES NOT PROCEED ON THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:28

And the base things; literally, low-born, unborn; "those who are sprung kern no one in particular"—nullo patre, nullis majoribus. Nothing could be more ignoble in the eyes of the world than a cross of wood upheld by feeble hands, and yet before it "kings and their armies did flee and were discomfited, and they of the household divided the spoil." And the things that are not . The not is the Greek subjective negative ( μὴ ); things of which men conceived as not... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:28

And base things of the world - Those things which by the world are esteemed ignoble. Literally, those which are not of noble, or illustrious birth τὰ ἀγειῆ ta ageiē.Things 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 manner of expressing himself with... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Corinthians 1:27-29

1 Corinthians 1:27-29 . But God hath chosen the foolish things Or, supplying the word προσωπα , the foolish persons of the world. Such persons as are of little esteem in the world, for want of learning, parts, eloquence, and such other endowments as some have attained, and who are judged altogether unfit to teach others, especially the Greeks and Romans. To confound the wise To shame those who account themselves, and are accounted wise; and of whom the world is most ready to boast. In... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Corinthians 1:18-31

Contrasts in wisdom and power (1:18-31)The whole idea of salvation from sin through the death of Christ on the cross appears foolish to the average person, but to believers it shows God’s power (18). God’s way has always been different from that of people in general. Whether they be Greek philosophers, Jewish scholars, or just ordinary citizens, people always think their schemes and ideas are full of wisdom; but God shows them up to be foolish (19-20).God, in his wisdom, saves people by way of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Corinthians 1:28

base . Greek. agenes. Literally without family, or descent. Only here. The opposite of eugenes, v . 26. despised . Greek. exoutheneo. Literally counted as nothing. See Acts 4:11 . not . App-105 . bring to nought . Greek. katargeo. See Romans 3:3 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:28

And the base things of the world, and the things that are despised, did God choose, yea and the things that are not, that he might bring to naught the things that are.This verse taken in conjunction with 1 Corinthians 1:27 gives five designations to Christians (as they were esteemed by the world of that period). The foolish, the weak, the base, the despised, the things that "are not" (in other words, the "nobodies"); but the great apostle's words on behalf of those who were despised by the... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:28

1 Corinthians 1:28. And base things— And mean things. In this and the preceding verse, though the Apostle makes use of the neuter gender, which occasioned our translators to insert the word things, yet it is evident from the context, that he means persons; and if the word things were omitted, the sense would be more plain. By the things which are not, may be understood the Gentiles, who were not the visible people of God, and were counted as nothing by the Jews. By the foolish and weak things,... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 1:28

28. 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 more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

The folly of the Corinthian believers 1:26-31Paul turned from the content of the gospel to the Corinthian believers to strengthen his argument that the gospel he preached contradicted human expectations. God had chosen "nobodies" rather than the "beautiful people" of Corinth. They themselves were evidence that God’s "foolishness" confounds the "wise." Jeremiah 9:23-24, with its emphasis on boasting in one proper thing or another improper thing, lies behind this pericope. read more